-
95
/ 100
Gary Walsh -
95
/ 100
Huon Hooke -
95
/ 100
Bob Campbell MW
Red
Classification
Cabernet Blend
Variety
2004
Vintage
750ml (Bottle)
Bottle Size
Australia
Country
South Australia, Barossa Valley
Region
14.5%
Alcohol %
15 Plus Years
Cellaring
Scores
95 / 100"A tightly focused, firm and sassy 389 of structure and sophistication. Deeply scented with alluring and lightly spicy aromas of crushed dark berries and cedary oak, this slightly meaty red blend reveals undertones of briar, white pepper, mint and a hint of game. Long and smooth, its intense and dark-fruited palate of cassis, mulberries, cherries and plums is underpinned by a chalky chassis of firm tannin. It slowly reveals nuances of dried herbs and underlying meatiness, while its generous complement of vanilla oak shows some classy integration. It's a lot more contemporary than the traditional 389, but very impressive, all the same."
- Gary Walsh
95 / 100
"Sweet ripe blackberry blueberry nose; superb. Great flavour and concentration, deep and long, profound wine. Very intense and lushly fruited. Supple, gentle tannins; softer than usual. Lovely wine."
- Huon Hooke
95 / 100
"This enduring classic has moved with the times reducing the level of American oak and increasing the alcohol to get extra weight and richness. It's never looked so good. Intense and powerful red with terrific cellaring potential"
- Bob Campbell MW
Tasting Notes
Created by the legendary Max Schubert - creator of Penfolds 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 Penfolds 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 - the 1998 vintage of Penfolds Bin 389 has a red star rating in the Penfolds Rewards of Patience, Sixth edition. Red stars are awarded to those wines that are considered to be an exceptional vintage.
Medium-deep crimson. Fresh dark cherry/kirsch, blackcurrant and mocha aromas with graphite notes. Inky and seductive with smooth and sweet dark cherry and cassis flavours, fine satin-like textures, superb inky complexity and espresso oak notes.
Tasting Profile
- Light
- Full
- Low Tannin
- Tannic
- Sweet
- Dry
- Low Acidity
- High Acidity
- Smooth
- Complex