Will develop and evolve for many decades with careful cellaring.

In the 2008 vintage our low yielding Penfolds Coonawarra Blocks 5, 10 & 20 produced superb quality fruit with tremendous flavour definition, allowing the creation of a wine similar in style and stature to the original 1966 Bin 620.

Colour
Deep and generous red with a dark core.

Nose
Instantly proclaims Penfolds ... and then, naturally Coonawarra! An aromatic colour chart reveals red, rather than blue or black fruits. Also red licorice, black olive.
Hovering above - wafts of tomato/quince/cabernet paste meshed with cinnamon & nutmeg yeast-bun spices. Swirling & time in glass reveal fresh, bright beetroot and star-anise/ soy Asian artefact. Exotic, with barely-discernible oak (French?) at least offering one recognisable sensory hook.

Palate
Seamless. Sophisticated. Stylish.
Although flavours of cola, sarsaparilla & white chocolate are immediately apparent, it is the
structure & textural weave that impact. At once, tight/focussed/poised. a multi-dimensional continuum, difficult to de-construct. Complete.
Fine and persistent 'shaley' tannins conspire with bright acidity (compliments of Coonawarra) to propel and complex an array of Shiraz & Cabernet fruits.

Origin: Coonawarra, South Australia.

Maturation: This wine was matured in new French (57%) and American (43%) oak hogsheads.

Variety: 51% Cabernet Sauvignon and 49% Shiraz.

Spring received above average rain which reduced frost pressure. The rest of the growing season from December - March was very dry, with only 25mm in late January to freshen the vines pre-veraison.

High temperatures in short bursts in January necessitated careful water management to maintain canopy function and vine health, which excelled in the vineyards through to harvest. Between the short hot spells the temperatures were cool to mild which created appealing flavour development.

98 points: 2013 James Halliday Australian Wine Companion (Australia) Bin 620 Cabernet Shiraz 2008