Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

Referred to as the “Baby Grange,” blend of 53/47 Cab Sauv & Shiraz, aged for 12 months in American oak, partly in previous-vintage Grange casks. Dark Ruby with aromas of fresh black fruits, complex with sweet spice. On the palate flavors of juicy black cherry and blackberry flavors with notes of cacao, oak and toasty spices, from cooler vintage. Well balanced with acidity, full ripe tannins, long ending with smoky spice, fruit well integrated with oak, drink over next 10 years+, will only get better. Nice! — 13 days ago

"Odedi"

9.2

It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix.

This is a delicious Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley made by Penfolds.

Full bodied with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity and mouthfeel. Rich and extracted.

Showing black cherries, sweet plums, cedar, licorice, chocolates, herbs, spices, earth, light vegetables, tobacco leaf and peppercorn.

Long finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.

Good right out of the bottle, and better after 3 hours of airtime. Gets earthier as it opens up.

Nicely balanced and fruit forward. Big and opulent.

Still young and will continue to mature in the next 8 years.

Robert Parker 94 points. Wine Enthusiasts 95 points.

Good by itself or with food. Will pair nicely with a big piece of steak.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$70. — 2 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

I bought a dozen of this wine 20 years ago and this is the 10th. Still monolithic and a bit square sided at 22 years of age. Full bodied showing black currant and herbal notes. Silky tannins but finishing a little green - showing over extraction? Next one in a few years but can’t see it changing much. As a general comment I feel that Penfolds jacking the price of 707 currently to around $550 is excessive but good luck to them for selling at this price and bringing closer to the price of Grange. Good news for TWE Shareholders! — 7 years ago

Vino Joe

9.5

Right in the wheelhouse now. Spicy and lingering. Deep mouthfeel. Excellent! — a month ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.2

Deep ruby , thin ruby rim . More discreet on the nose than the explosive Grange . More blackberry , dark plum , with a slight toasty note . Dark blackberry , cassis, red plum , good acidity and medium bodied , slightly more spiced palate . Balanced acidity and quite suave polished medium tannins . Just a hint of warmth on the good length finish . Compared to the Grange this comes across as slightly lighter in body and intensity with less of the Grange’s mineral complexity. Again requires time , but with food drank well , better in 5-10 years and will last well a further 10-15 . — 6 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Rich crimson with purple tinges. It certainly has the Penfolds winemaking thumbprint of ripe fruit and toasty oak. As HH said it tastes more Australian than Californian even though all the fruit is Californian and it was vinified there. These are the details (78% Cabernet 22% Shiraz. Napa 45%, Sonoma 35%, Paso Robles 20%). In hindsight it probably tastes Australian because of the Cabernet Shiraz blend which is common in Australia and rare (or nonexistent in California?). This venture for Penfolds has been 30 years in the making with Shiraz cuttings being brought from South Australia to Geyser Peak in Sonoma back then as our host for the dinner explained on the night. 4 Cuvées, all Red have been made ranging in price of $95 for this wine to $950 for Quantum. 70% of the production has been allocated to the North American market so dinners such as the one we had are quite rare in Australia because of lack of stock. This Bin 600 even though the least expensive of the 4 Cuvées will live well into the late 2030s even though it is so well balanced you could happily drink it now. — 4 years ago

Kapyrick Wine

9.8

v18. Outstanding!!!!! Soft , smokey plum nose. Rich blackberry, currant and plum fruit. Velvety smooth leather finish. Fantastic!!!! — 3 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Nice aromas of mint (not positive but this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is probably mainly from Coonawarra) and cassis, black currant aromas. Medium bodied with an inner core of latent strength, inherent in most Penfolds Reds. Tastes way younger than 13 years and will cellar for at least another 10 to 15 years or more. Postscript: I thought this statement was appropriate from Penfolds First Chief Winemaker and the creator of Grange, Max Schubert said, “Penfolds different cuvées may differ in character Year by Year, but all bear an unmistakable resemblance and relationship to each other. “ This is pertinent when tasting Bin 407. — 2 years ago

George Hesse

9.7

Another hit from Penfolds!! I think this is better than the bottle of Grange we had in Sydney! — 6 years ago

with Jeff and Jennifer

Conrad Green

9.4

Eucalyptus and American oak. Lovely resolved fruit. Deep, rich, almost syrupy. Lovely stuff. Longgggg — 8 years ago

with Robert, Major-General and 2 others