Bin 389 South Australia Cabernet Shiraz

Cassis and oak - the latter quite noticeable. From a ripe year where the fruit should be apparent but at the moment the oak dominates - mocha notes, but then again still has a huge future. Amazing what a solid core of self contained full body this has for 16 years of age, but still of profound intensity - dark chocolate and black currant. Will go on for literally decades - only have 2 left. Penfolds “Rewards of Patience “ say through to 2050! That is not as crazy as it sounds. This wine is close to immortal Next one in 10 years.

Beautiful Shiraz/Cab blend. Full bodied, velvety, subtle tannins. Elegant, even at this young age.

Having my annual 2002 Penfolds Bin 389 - now 3 bottles left. Definitely a beautiful mature Cabernet Shiraz from this cool vintage. Has the Penfolds DNA of. Chocolate, Mocha and Black fruits. Wonderful balance - very polished with at least 5 to 10 years in front of it. This is why one cellars Penfolds Reds. Your patience is repaid in spades with the finished product…..maturing at glacial pace. My plan is to have the next one in 2024, then 2026, then 2028.

The beauty of screwcaps (Stelvin) is that you can keep them standing up so that when you plan to drink them all of the sediment (a reasonable amount in a 15 year old Bin 389) is already at the bottom of the bottle and ready to be decanted. Aromas of Oak, Blackberry and Tar. From the warm 2008 vintage and fairly extracted. Too much oak but it is made for the long haul (20 years plus) and needs to balance all that ripe fruit. Medium plus to full bodied. Blackberry and black cherry. Maybe in 5 years the oak will be fully integrated. I’m sure Penfolds know what they are doing. They’ve only been making Bin 389 for 60 odd years (a guess).

Surprisingly held up - enjoyed w Friends

4 left after this one. Following my plan of having one per year until complete. This has not changed much from 12 months ago. At its peak sitting on the plateau. Notes of dark chocolate, mocha and blackberry - the Penfolds DNA in essence. Tastes a lot younger than 20 years of age. Medium plus bodied with a savoury twist at the finish. 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Shiraz.

Deep Inky in color with a short purple rim.

Dry and very fruity on the palate.

Showing black currants, cooked plums, figs, earth, cedar, leather, chocolates, tobacco, licorice, vanilla, spices and peppercorn.

Fruit forward with medium acidity.

Nicely balanced with a nice mouthfeel. Rich and extracted. Showing nice complexity with a strong nose.

This delicious "baby Grange" is starting to drink nicely now. Still young, and would be better in 5 years. Will age nicely in the next 15 years.

Wine Spectator 92 points. Robert Parker 93 points.

Good right out of the bottle and better with airtime, which I did not have, as it finished way too quickly.

I had the 2017 a couple of years ago, and liked it even better, even though the 2018 was a better vintage.

Good by itself as a sipping wine, or with a nice piece of steak.

A blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon and 43% Shiraz.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$70.

Had this at Bern’s Steak house. Often referred to as “Baby Grange,” ‘16: blend of 51% Cab Sauv & 49% Shiraz, aged 12 months in American oak, partly in previous-vintage Grange casks. Dark Ruby with aromas of ripe black fruits, sweet and complex spice. On palate juicy blackberry flavors with notes of tobacco, cacao and toasty spices. Well balanced with acidity, fine ripe tannins, long finish ending with smoky spice, fruit & well integrated with oak, went well with my 19oz Strip Steak!

You would never pick this as a 26 year old red wine from the colour. A rich Ruby red with no tawny rim. This has the Penfolds DNA of ripe plum, mocha, coffee bean and chocolate - a trace of liquorice. The palate is medium plus weight, balanced and harmonious maintaining that core strength. Those initially firm tannins have become supple. Drinking at its peak but could stay on this plateau for a couple more years. My last bottle of the 96 but I still have a few more bottles of the Bin 707 from 1996 which was a huge wine.

Often referred to as “Baby Grange,” ‘16: blend of 51% Cab Sauv & 49% Shiraz, aged 12 months in American oak, partly in previous-vintage Grange casks. Dark Ruby with aromas of ripe black fruits, sweet and complex spice. On palate juicy blackberry flavors with notes of tobacco, cacao and toasty spices. Well balanced with acidity, fine ripe tannins, long finish ending with smoky spice, fruit & well integrated with oak, drink over next 10 years+, tasting well, will only get better.