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Bin 389 is often referred to as ‘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, by the legendary Max Schubert, this was the wine that helped to forge Penfolds solid reputation with red wine drinkers combining the structure of Cabernet Sauvignon with the richness of Shiraz. Bin 389 also exemplifies the judicious balance of fruit and oak.
Drinking well now, but will improve with time. Peak drinking now - 2037.
Colour Deep dense magenta. Nose The very first impression? Instantly Penfolds. Some barrel-ferment nuances perhaps? A formic lift, V.A., regressive oak? Maybe all listed are guilty partners! Higher notes reveal custard tart and brûlée, courting meaty pan-scrapings/juices. Yet beneath, a darker edge – black pudding, sweetbread, asphalt. Moreover, not just an ‘offal’ offering – an aromatic veil of satsuma plum, fig and quince paste aromatics liberally sprinkled above.! Palate Enticing, inviting. A taste continuum of assorted flavours and textures. A spoil of fruits meshed with a grain-like paste – chaff/oats/barley/wheat germ…. At once chewy and succulent, heightened by a mouth-watering acidity and overt 2015 ‘elongated’ tannins. Oak barely perceivable. An interesting ‘package’ whereupon nothing stands out! A ‘balanced completeness’!
Origin: Multi-regional blend, South Australia. From Wrattonbully, McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley, Coonawarra, Robe and Padthaway.
Maturation: 12 months in American oak hogsheads (32% new, 37% 1-y.o., 31% 2-y.o.).
Variety: 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47% Shiraz.
Autumn and early winter rainfall were above the long-term average. Rain stopped abruptly in early August with only light showers observed throughout spring. The dry and cool spring period affected canopy growth early in the season. Warm and dry conditions during flowering and fruit-set resulted in rapid grapevine growth and early flowering.
A high rainfall event occurred in Coonawarra in January, mostly falling outside of veraison, and February delivered weekend heat spikes. Wrattonbully had a warm and generally dry ripening end to the season which allowed for the development on strong varietal flavours.
Bin 389 is one of Australia’s great cellaring red wines. First produced in 1960, its history is connected with the development of Grange and Max Schubert’s ambition of creating a ‘dynasty of wines which all bear an unmistakable resemblance to each other’. Named after its original binning compartment at Magill cellars, Bin 389 is the most popular wine in the Australian secondary wine market because of its heritage, consistency and reputation.
“98 Points – A classic vintage with brilliant aromatic complexity, proportion and balance. “Pound for pound”, probably the wine of the 2017 release.” Andrew Caillard MW
“98 Points – A classic vintage with brilliant aromatic complexity, proportion and balance. “Pound for pound”, probably the wine of the 2017 release.”
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