Bob McDonald

9.5

One of the best Chardonnays I’ve had this year. My last bottle of 2017. Will have to try and remember my notes. On the nose a good combination of citrus and Stone fruit aromas with stone fruit having the slight ascendancy. A rich delicious palate showing increased complexity at nearly 10 years. See previous Delectable notes. Probably at its peak. — 9 days ago

Paul J

9.5

Great as always. Medium yellow color. Complex with great texture and balance. See previous notes on older vintages. — 6 months ago

with Brooke

Bob McDonald

9.3

Rich and supple but not as rich as this Cuvée often is. Earthy red fruits with herbs. As Bob Campbell said, good vinosity. Always one of the top Pinots from the North Island. See previous Delectable notes on this Cuvée and vintage. — 8 months ago

Paul J

9.6

First Rose of the season! Always great! See previous notes and vintages. — 2 months ago

with Brooke and

Freddy R. Troya

9.3

Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 2023
South Australia 🇦🇺

Overview
A more tightly wound and concentrated expression of Bin 389, showcasing the same Cabernet-Shiraz framework (Cabernet for backbone, Shiraz for richness) but delivered with greater tension, density, and youthful drive. This vintage leans more serious and structured than 2022, highlighting the fascinating impact vintage conditions have on balance, ripeness, and extraction in agricultural wines.

Aromas & Flavors
Intense blackcurrant, crushed blackberry, dark cherry, and graphite dominate the aromatics, layered with fresh cedar, cocoa nib, and subtle minty spice. The palate is compact and powerful, showing darker fruit concentration, savory spice, and tightly coiled oak structure that promises excellent evolution with time.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied and more compact than the 2022. Tannins are firmer and more youthful, giving a punchier, more linear profile. The wine feels energetic and focused, with impressive density and length, clearly built for further integration.

Food Pairings
Char-grilled steak or venison. Slow-braised beef cheeks. Pepper-crusted lamb. Smoked meats and firm aged cheeses.

Verdict
A bolder, more muscular Bin 389 that trades immediate plushness for intensity and aging potential. A striking reminder of how vintage variation shapes personality, same blueprint, very different expression.

Did You Know?
Penfolds sources fruit for Bin 389 from multiple South Australian regions, blending different terroirs and climates to build complexity, consistency, and layered structure across vintages.

🍷 Personal Pick
If you enjoy tracking wine evolution, this is a fantastic candidate for short-to-mid-term cellaring, revisit in a few years to watch the structure melt into harmony. Also check my previous 2022 review!
— 4 months ago

Pooneet K

9.1

Wasn’t planning to open this tonight but after the first wine I tried was corked, this was up next. Paired with some very tasty chicken thighs off the grill. This is good but not at the same level as some of the previous bottlings I’ve had - including both the same and different vintages. 13.6%, much appreciated, and a nice more refined take on a left bank Bordeaux style blend from Napa. Good acid, but the palate is a bit leathery and isn’t giving much fruit. — 10 months ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.3

13.2%. A perpetual favorite. This vintage seems more fruit driven compared to previous renditions. Quite dark. Cherries, raspberries, cranberries and some tea notes, well integrated tannins and dare I say “smooth” mouthfeel. Sadly/unfortunately in a different prize range compared to a decade ago. 75$ or so. Seems high to me. — 23 days ago

Paul J

9.3

PnP. Dark red color. Subtle pencil shavings, cedar, and cherries on the nose. Rustic wine. Similar to previous bottles and notes. — 3 months ago

with Manish and Brooke

Bob McDonald

9.4

This is generally regarded as the best example of Shiraz Viognier in Australia but recently I tried a 2015 Serrat Shiraz Viognier which was the equal of Clonakilla if not better. As per previous Delectable notes this bottle had the trademark dried spices, cloves a trace of pepper and dried meat. Barely medium weight and always a joy to drink. My last bottle. — 7 months ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. No formal notes due to the setting however, looking back on my previous notes, that assessment still applies. The 2017 Amador County continues to be an absolutely delicious expression of the variety. Drink now through 2032.  — 9 months ago