Drinking well now, but will improve with time. Peak drinking 2020 – 2032.

Colour
Deep and prominent – solid red.

Nose
Where to start? So immediately true to variety. Punchy, not shy.
Beneath: Subtle forest floor earthiness, laced with liquorice, fennel and anise with a sceric of non-aggressive fresh spearmint.
Above: Sugar pastille wafts – somewhat reminiscent of the fruit bon bons of youth… more prescriptively/realistically – blackcurrant jelly bean.
In between: Summer pudding fruit generosity – suggestive of a cherry clafoutis? Or maybe a fleshy red cherry trifle, avec sponge cake? Yes please.
Absorbed: Stylish/coiffured oak … want to say classy, but might sound pretentious? Next time.

Palate
Bountiful red cabernet fruits complexed by cut tobacco (pouch) and darkened spices.
Seamless, with a tightness/tension between acidity and tannins.
These tannins are ripe and friendly – currently perceived as fruit, not oak tannins.
Oak – quite possibly partially contributing to the sweetness apparent on palate?
Flavour and length. Lingers.

“Competitive for regional attention - assertive McLaren Vale cabernet tussles with confident Coonawarra cabernet. In this blend, we win!”

“Well-heeled ripe (fruit) tannins – sitting back confidently. Compliant cabernet sauvignon tannins? Surely not?!” 

- Peter Gago, Penfolds Chief Winemaker

Origin: Multi-regional blend, South Australia. From Coonawarra, McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley, Wrattonbully and Padthaway.

Maturation: 12 months in French oak (25% new) and American oak hogshead (9% new).

Wine Analysis: Alc/Vol: 14.5%, Acidity: 6.6 g/L, pH: 3.63

Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon.

Autumn and winter rainfall across South Australia’s main growing districts were below average, conditions that prevailed through spring. Temperatures in spring and early summer were above the long-term average, allowing vines to get away to a quick start. Some late rain in January and early February was a welcome relief, refreshing stressed vines and improving yields.

Cooler conditions followed from mid-February which suited the later ripening cabernet sauvignon. Warmer districts had a break with some early March rain delaying the harvest and allowing great flavour development. The cooler districts in the south-east were picked two weeks earlier than usual. Grapes across all the main growing regions were able to ripen evenly and develop desirable flavours, outstanding colours and fine tannins.

Launched with the 1990 vintage in 1993, and inspired by Bin 707, Bin 407 was developed in response to the increasing availability of high quality Cabernet Sauvignon fruit.