Drinking well now, but will improve with time. Peak drinking Now – 2030.

Colour
Garnet red

Nose
An aromatic umbrella sheltering all things cabernet.
An immediate ascent of violet, mulberry leaf – laced with star anise, cinnamon, orange zest.
Followed by varietal wafts of tomato ketchup, soy, iodine, and oddly, a Chinese spice/stock marinade.
Not yet exiting this theme - sweet plum sauce, hoisin and roast duck crackling trepidatiously follows.

Palate
Immediately more Tuscan than Bordeaux in cabernet character. Nevertheless, still very (South) Australian.
Savoury, with a sour cherry grip ... and subtle cherry pip oak influence.
Mouth-watering and succulent, yet still linear – tempered by appetising angular tannins. Darker fruits and green Spanish (stuffed) olive flavours further define the vintage, style.
Neither a 2010 nor 2016 ... and not trying to be!

17/20 Points - Matthew Jukes

96 Points - James Halliday

93 Points - Nick Stock, jamessuckling.com

93 Points - Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front

“Still 100% multi-regional Cabernet Sauvignon, and still matured in French & American oak hogsheads”

“Cabernet varietal expression framed to a distinctive Penfolds style.” 

- Peter Gago, Penfolds Chief Winemaker

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

Maturation: French (18% new) and American oak hogsheads (14% new)

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

Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon.

The growing regions across South Australia experienced a cool and wet winter and spring. Several longstanding rainfall records were broken across South Australia, with little need for supplementary irrigation until well into summer. Spring was typically windy in the warmer climate districts, especially in October, which created some challenges with fruit set. Despite cooler spring temperatures, the breezy weather helped ward off any danger from frost in Wrattonbully and Coonawarra. The prevailing cool conditions slowed the growing season with flowering and veraison both delayed, in select regions it was two weeks longer than average. 

There were no summer heatwaves, with only a handful of days recorded above 40 degrees. Warmer weather in March was welcomed, allowing grapes to finish ripening with great colour and varietal flavour. Vintage in the cooler southern districts was not completed until early May.

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.