2012 Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz

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, by the legendary Max Schubert, this was the wine that helped to forge Penfolds solid reputation with red wine drinkers. The 2012 vintage is a blend of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon and 46% Shiraz that was matured for 12 months in American oak hogsheads of which 40% were new and 60% one year old.

A Rich, Muscular Bin 389

Outstanding colour displaying an impenetrable inky black core with a very deep dark purple black hue. Perfumed aromas of liquorice and ripe blackcurrants are followed by some blackberries, dark chocolate characters and vanillin confectionary. Rich, structured and concentrated the palate boasts mouthfilling flavours of liquorice, ripe blackcurrants and blackberries over a background of smoky vanillin cedar, pepper and spice. A firm solidly built tannin structure is in perfect proportion to the rich fruit. Excellent depth with a long aftertaste of liquorice, blackcurrant, blackberries, smoky vanillin cedar and blackpepper. A wine that requires some patience before it reveals all its cards.
Cellar 8-10 years. Drink by 2024.
Alc. 14.5%

Other Reviews….
Deep, dense crimson-purple; the profound bouquet offers every kind of black fruit yet leaves space for complex secondary characters to emerge given time — lots of it. The palate takes all this and adds barrel ferment characters of licorice and wild herb. Arguably the bargain of the release. Drink to 2040.
97 points
James Halliday – The Australian