Bin 704 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Believe it or not but this is my first Penfolds. And it… is a napa cab through and through. Lots of dark and red fruit (like dark cherries) with vanilla and spice. Some tobacco and chocolate with good tannins. A little young, i think, but a nice first impression.

Deep Ruby with aromas of red fruits, espresso, cedar and sweet floral notes, aged 16 months in 100% French oak. On the palate flavors of raspberry, strawberry and ripe black cherry with notes of cacao, vanilla and dried floral herbs. Fine rich tannins, long finish ending with fruit, cacao, spice and earthy mineral notes. Nice but need to wait a few years on this beauty.

At the Penfolds Californian Collection Dinner on Monday night. Our Penfolds host explained these dinners are rare in Australia through lack of stock. I have personal experience of this as 6 weeks ago my wife and I attended Magill Estate for lunch in Adelaide. This is Penfolds HQ. I wanted to order one of these 4 new Cuvées for lunch and was told they had all sold out and unavailable!! Anyway back to this lovely wine. This is 100% Californian Cabernet (88% Napa, 12% Sonoma Cabernet). 16 months in French Oak, 40% new, 60% one year old. Lovely aromatics of mocha and savoury plum None of the mint or herbaceous characters one gets with Australian Cabernet (not that these are a negative). This is more fruit and oak driven but in balance. Carries through to the medium to full bodied palate with persistent rounded tannins. No astringency. Again very balanced but with a long life ahead. A good each way bet. I bought a few bottles. Will put to sleep for 5 to 10 years for the first one.

John had this 4 years ago

Consumed over two nights. It was better the second night.

pretty good for a cab sav! from haley!

Cab Sav with pot roast. Bold, fruity and dry. Nice finish. Very good.

Smooth, relatively light-bodied cab.

Middle of the road, nothing special

Rob had this 3 years ago