Following on from our release of the superb 100 point scoring Penfolds Grange 2010 (£1,770, 6×75) last week, we are excited to offer the rest of the illustrious Penfolds Icon, Luxury and Bins range. While the entire range is iconic and available now, we have selected three wines which we think offer tremendous value and quality. Bin 389, considered by the wine-maker as Baby Grange, Bin 407, the 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and younger brother of the illustrious Bin 707 and the stylish Cab/Shiraz blend, Bin 150.
Penfolds Bin 389, 2012, 6×75 – £180 IB or 230.76 incl duty and VAT
Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet/ Shiraz is better known described as ‘Baby Grange’. It was created by Max Schubert and is matured in the same barrels that the held the previous vintage of Grange. It was first created in 1960 and helped to shape the reputation of Penfolds’ prestige wines amongst drinkers. It is a magnificent blend that integrates the richness of Shiraz, deriving suppleness and intensity, with the structure of Cabernet Sauvignon. It represents a classic Penfolds Grange style and identity, beautifully balancing fruit and oak. The 2011 ‘Baby Grange’, displays the lovely high notes of dark berries, dark chocolate, bayleaf, white pepper, black olives and fig. For collectors that want to own Penfolds Grange but don’t pay £300 a bottle, Penfolds ‘Baby Grange’ offers a wonderful tonic at £30 a bottle: it has been awarded 93 points by James Suckling and offers wonderful drinking potential. Peter Gago, Penfolds eminent winemaker, is quoted saying, “Through thick and thin, across all vintages, Bin 389 always delivers – benefitting from over half a century of practice!”.
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 91 points
A blend of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon and 46% Shiraz made with fruit from Wrattonbully, Barossa, McLaren Vale, Langhorne Creek and Robe that was aged 12 months in American oak hogsheads, 40% of which were new, the deep garnet-purple colored 2012 Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz is slightly closed with the Cabernet / cassis leading the nose marked by warm red and black plums, Mediterranean herbs, pepper and cedar. In the mouth notes of vanilla and cedar wrap around the warm black fruit core that is framed by firm, chewy tannins and just enough acid. It finishes long. Drink 2015-2022
Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2012, 6×75 – £180 IB or 230.76 incl duty and VAT
Penfolds Bin 407’s inaugural vintage was in 1993, inspired by its older Cabernet Sauvignon brother Bin 707. By this time the Estate had enough very high quality Cabernet Sauvignon grapes to produce another outstanding wine of Cabernet fruit, with incredible concentration, depth and varietal definition. Bin 407 benefits from Penfolds’ multi region/ vineyard blending to create a wine that often competes with the Bin 707, in 2012 they score 92 and 93+ respectively, the difference is that the Bin 707 is released at £1,000 and the Bin 407 an incredible £180. Bin 407 can be enjoyed young and will age and improve for a decade in bottle.
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 92 points
Made with a blend of fruit from Wrattonbully, Padthaway, McLaren Vale, Coonawarra and Langhorne Creek, the 2012 Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon has a deep garnet color with a hint of purple and a nose exuding warm blackberry compote notes, blueberry preserves, spice cake and mocha plus a touch of menthol. Medium to full-bodied, it offers mouth-filling black berry and cassis flavors with a touch of mint, a crisp line of acid and firm grainy tannins to shape the long finish. Drink 2014-202
Penfolds Bin 150 Barossa Shiraz, 2012, 6×75 – £180 IB or 230.76 incl duty and VAT
In terms of value for money Bin 150 ticks all the boxes, it offers a wine that can be bought for £30 a bottle, a rarity amongst the leading wines in the Penfolds Range. The hamlet of Marananga lies close to the centre of the Barossa Valley floor, where dry conditions and rich red soils facilitate a focused and fruit concentrated wine. It is aged in French and American oak, both new and old and produces a wine with a powerful nose of Juniper berry, coffee, tar, smoke, pepper and intense black fruits. The palate has liquorice, chocolate, amaretto and pistachio, finishing with an extraordinary berried pannacotta flavour. This wine will age for at least five years but offers immense pleasure now.
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 91+ points
Very deep purple black in color, the 2012 Bin 150 Marananga Shiraz is profoundly scented of blackcurrant cordial, black forest cake and smoky bacon along with some earthiness. Medium-bodied and quite packed with flavor, it has medium to firm grainy tannins and shows a slight menthol lift in finish. Drink 2014-2024
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