Reviews & Ratings

2021 Penfolds Australian (Red Blend) "Bin 389"

Winery: Penfolds

Vintage: 2021

Wine Name/Vineyard: "Bin 389"

Wine Category: Australian (Red Blend)

Grape blend: 53% Cabernet Sauvignon & 47% Shiraz

Bottle size: 750 ml

Region: South Australia

State or country: Australia

Price: $80

Cases produced: 9,330

KWG Score: 93.6 (based on 5 reviews)

Ken's Wine Rating: Very Good+ (93)

Review date: October 11, 2024

Wine Review: This midnight black colored Cabernet Sauvignon based red blend from Penfolds opens with a boysenberry and cola bouquet with hints of leather, eucalyptus, and black currant. On the palate, this wine is full bodied with medium plus acidity. The mouthfeel is balanced, dense, and rich. The flavor profile is a stewed black plum and black currant blend with notes of stony minerality and black tea. We also detected hints of oak, tobacco, and anise. The finish is dry, and its flavors and moderate tannins linger nicely. We would pair this red blend with an ox tail stew or a ribeye cap steak. Enjoy - KWGTP

Winemaker Notes: Black core, purple rim. A kaleidoscope of aromas. First noted, sweet pastries. Blueberry Danish and chocolate croissant. Sugar dusting. The fruits of the forest are quick to emerge, fresh blackberries and mulberries dominant. Dried bay leaf, pink peppercorns and black cardamom add spicy intrigue. With a swirl, aniseed/licorice notes become pronounced. A flawless integration of the two varietals, neither dominating but working together in harmony. The aroma descriptors deftly match the palate. Flavors of black fruit and red fruit compote abound. Cocoa powder sweetness adds weight to the substantial mid-palate. There are plenty of savory flavors to balance out the sweetness, with cold sliced salted beef, roast lamb cooking juices and cured pastrami. The tannins are fine, reminiscent of oolong tea, providing plenty of structure. The delicious fruit is married seamlessly with the creamy American oak. A fine seam of acid provides a refreshing lift on the finish. Very approachable now, but with plenty to offer down the track.

Buy it: Use 1000 Corks to find stores that sell Penfolds 2021 Bin 389.