Penfolds Bin 128 Coonawarra Shiraz 2003

Rating: 90/100 - As reviewed by The Wine News

Love this wine ... amazing compliment to steak and/or a hearty stew.

January 2009

A very well handled wine whose firm structure and depth of fruit just lack the sweetness- charm and length to really impress. Its spicy fragrance of restrained red and black berries and violets is backed by cedary nuances of vanilla oak- with light undertones of menthol. There's also a note of leather than remains throughout the handsomely oaked and firmly constructed palate. - Jeremy Oliver- Onwine Penfolds Penfolds has been producing remarkable wines for almost 150 years and indisputably lead the development of Australian fine wine in the modern era. The introduction of Penfolds Grange read more...Hermitage in 1951 forever changed the landscape of Australian fine wine- since then a series of standout wines - both red and white - have been released under the Penfolds masthead. PenfoldsBin 128Launched in 1962- Penfolds Bin 128 is a regional wine that reflects the unique climate and growing conditions of South Australia's Coonawarra district and the elegant style of cool-climate shiraz. From the 1980 vintage- French oak replaced American- highlighting the pepper-and-spice characteristics that define this style. Since the mid-1980s- greater attention has been paid to fruit ripeness- resulting in a wine that is fuller in style and structure. Penfolds    (hide)

October 2008

The Wine News rating: 90

Penfolds Bin 128 is one of the most distinctive reds in the Penfolds stable. Firstly, as a Coonawarra Shiraz, it is one of the few Penfolds reds that isnt a multi regional blend. It is also one of only two Penfolds reds, Clare Estate being the other, to be matured solely in French oak - all other Penfolds reds make use of some American oak in the maturation process. This has not always been the case. Up till the late 70s Bin 128 was also matured in American oak. However, over time, the rich, sweet vanillin characters of the American barrels tended to mask the regional delicacy typical of Coonawarra Shiraz read more...and so, as of 1980, only French oak has been used. French oak generally lends a wine understated, aromatic characters and is therefore a better choice with more subtly flavoured wines. Coonawarra typically produces zesty, spicy and supple Shiraz fruit that exhibits a richness of flavour and a mouth-filling roundness on the palate. Bin 128 is true to this style.    (hide)

No written review

February 2008