Bin 128 Coonawarra Shiraz

I tried submitting a tasting note 2 days ago and Delectable didn’t accept it and it then disappeared. The thing I recall the most about this wine was that it tasted more warm climate like Bin 28 and Barossa than Bin 128 and cool climate from Coonawarra. More red and black fruits than the expected spice and pepper. This is the first of 4 and very early in its life. Recalling the 2 x 1998s of Bin 128 I’ve had in the last 18 months like 90% of Penfolds Cuvées Bin 128 is built to cellar.

See previous note in April this year when we had lunch at Penfolds HQ at Magill Estate Adelaide. I bought 2 bottles after the experience of having one at lunch. Perfectly mature from Penfolds Cellars. This had savoury meaty pan juices amongst the Choc Malt Plum DNA of many Penfolds reds. Even though from Coonawarra - much cooler than Barossa - this was ripe from the 1998 vintage and had a pruney note. This gives one the idea of the longevity of all Penfolds Cuvées. Simply amazing at 23 years and could go on for 5 plus more years. Will keep the last one for several more years if I have the willpower.

Bin 128 is from the famous cool climate terra rossa soils of Coonawarra. Deep Ruby with aromas of ripe dark berry fruit and rich spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry, black cherry and ripe plum with notes of cacao, vanilla and slight citrus. Fine tannins, well balanced with lively acidity, long finish ending with fruit, earthy tones and sweet spice. Good now will also improve over next 3-5 years. Tasting Sample!

A little clumsy this bottle. Felt partly integrated and ataxic. Definitely got the cool climate Shiraz thing on the palate but this bottle was a little awkward for my palate... or maybe it was the other way around! 😁

You know when you go on holidays and think you have brought enough wine from your cellar and you end up running out. This is what happened to us on the Gold Coast and we ended up buying 2 bottles of this excellent Shiraz to top up. From the very good 2015 vintage. Being a Shiraz from Coonawarra one expects more cool climate characteristics of Pepper Spice and dried meats but this has fuller Berry flavours with supple yet unyielding tannins. Drinking any Penfolds Bin No Red @2 years of age is probably committing infanticide but no more so than this beautiful 2015. Buy some and don’t touch it for 15 years at least! When I get home I will be buying a half dozen.

Plum and cherry aromas with blackberry and raspberry on the palate. Usually with Bin 128 being from the cooler Coonawarra district there is a spicy peppery element but not in the warm ripe 2008 vintage. Looking more like Bin 28 from the Barossa.

See previous 2 notes of this wine from the lunch at Magill Estate in April 2021, and the 2nd one a few months later and now this 3rd and final bottle. A hint of oxidation on the nose which persisted through the spicy red fruits savoury fading plum - reaching the end of its useful life, but what a life, particularly for one of Penfolds lesser Cuvées at 23 years of age. Still perfectly balanced with resolved tannins - just medium bodied - a superb aged Coonawarra Shiraz - a grape that was grown there before Cabernet Sauvignon which is better known in Coonawarra these days.

very decent table wine that is powerfu, rich, yet balanced. Typical Aus shriaz. Good value

Amazing to buy a 23 year old Penfolds Bin 128 as good as this for $125 - only at Penfolds HQ at Magill Estate Adelaide. Still the Penfolds DNA of Choc Malt Mocha on this lovely old Shiraz. Dusty plummy notes, some old wood and leather notes. Tannins resolved - everything balanced. Shows the quality and ability to age of all Penfolds Cuvées.

OMG. Cherry. Smoothness. Full body flavor yet light on the tongue. Nose that delights and makes you pass the glass around the table. I'd fly all the way down under to drink this at the Domain! Worth the price tag - drink on occasions (Super Bowl dinner, Valentine's Day, etc.)