2019 Penfolds Bin 389

2019 Penfolds Bin 389

2019 Penfolds Bin 389 With its seamless textural slide across the palate, this is a superb example of what is considered a distinctly Australian blend, showing both generosity and serious intent. A magnificent full nose leads to a lively dance of red plums over blue and black fruits, although the strong acid spine results in a rather sharp finish. Time in the cellar will reveal more integrated harmony between the essential elements. Drinking Window 2021 – 2045. 95pts Decanter

Rich, succulent flavors of wild berry are ripe and plush, but there’s terrific restraint here as well, with cedary tannins and an element of palo santo, along with tobacco, dried herb and green tea notes that are firm on the finish, as more grace notes reveal themselves. Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. 94pts Wine Spectator

Penfolds Bin 389 is Australia’s most collected wine, a dense and concentrated red known as “Baby Grange” but costing a fraction of the price. Penfolds Bin 389 is known the world over as “Baby Grange,” and the 95-point 2019 shows why this Cabernet-Shiraz blend more than deserves the comparison to its iconic $850 plus sibling. It’s a concentrated tour de force, dominated by dense black fruits and cassis, and accented with raw chocolate, licorice, mint and cedar. Structured by fine tannins and dripping with the DNA that made Penfolds Grange one of the world’s unquestioned greats, Bin 389 has become Australia’s most collected wine—bumping its big brother from the top spot!

Bin 389 was created by the legendary Penfolds winemaker Max Schubert in 1960, the same year he officially resumed making his beloved Grange (which he’d been making in secret since the Penfolds board ordered him to stop). From then on, Bin 389 and Grange came up together, sharing sources and techniques. They’re both multi-regional blends using grapes from Penfolds’ top sources in McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley, and Wrattonbully (Bin 389 also uses Padthaway fruit). Grange is matured for 20 months in American oak hogsheads, while Bin 389 matures for 12 months—in 29% new barrels, as well as ones recently emptied of Grange. A monster 57% Savings on a world beater.