Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 2012

Created by the legendary Max Schubert - creator of Grange - Bin 389 is often referred to as 'Poor Man's Grange' or 'Baby Grange', in part because components of the wine are matured in the same barrels that held the previous vintage of Grange. First made in 1960, this was the wine that helped to build a solid reputation with red wine drinkers. Combining the structure of cabernet with the richness of shiraz, Bin 389 also exemplifies Penfolds skill in balancing fruit and oak. A classic Australian style with a clear Penfolds identity.

"Deep, dense crimson-purple; the profound bouquet offers every kind of black fruits imaginable, large and small, yet somehow leaves a space and air in the mix for more complex secondary characters to emerge given time - lots of it. The palate takes all this, and adds to it with barrel ferment characters introducing licorice and touches of wild herb. This wine fully lives up to the great expectations held of it (and the vintage). 97 points James Halliday"

"Vigorous decanting and hours and even days of coaxing slowly draw out impressive layers of black fruits and reticent violet perfume, set within a rigid and finely strung cage of impeccable tannin structure. It is plainly apparent from the outset is that this is one of the benchmark, long-lived releases in the grand, 42 year lineage of Bin 389. Do not miss it and, above all, do not dare open a bottle in the next decade, and preferably the next two. "
Tyson Stelzer, Oct 2014 96 points

"Deep crimson. Intense inky blackcurrant, praline, mocha, aromas with espresso, herb notes. Generous dark berry, dark chocolate flavours, fine dense chalky/ aldente textures, lovely mid-palate richness and underlying roasted walnut, mocha notes. Finishes chocolatey with a long graphite tannin plume. This is a substantial wine with beautiful expressive fruit, underlying oak complexity, superb richness, density and energy. A very strong and versatile Bin 389 vintage with wonderful aging potential. 20 years plus. Drink, keep and bequeath some!" Andrew Caillard MW, Oct 2014 96 points