Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 2021 Cork

Winery Background and History Penfolds is one of Australia’s most iconic and historic wineries, founded in 1844 by Dr Christopher Rawson Penfold and Mary Penfold in Magill, South Australia. Over nearly two centuries, Penfolds has been instrumental in shaping modern Australian wine, blending traditional European technique with New World innovation. The winery gained global acclaim for its flagship Grange, but Bin 389—created in 1960 by legendary winemaker Max Schubert—became known as “Baby Grange” for its pedigree and use of barrels previously used for Grange maturation. Bin 389 exemplifies Penfolds’ commitment to quality, complexity and longevity. 

Producer and Winemaker Penfolds Bin 389 is crafted by the Penfolds winemaking team at the Magill Estate under the leadership of Chief Winemaker Andrew Baldwin, who perpetuates the house’s tradition of balanced, expressive wines. The blend and oak handling are meticulously managed to deliver Penfolds’ signature structure, richness and mid-palate generosity, reflecting decades of blending expertise and regional knowledge. The team sources fruit from multiple premium South Australian regions and uses judicious oak integration to create harmony and depth. 

Vineyards and Micro Climate The 2021 Bin 389 draws fruit from a multi-regional selection across South Australia, including McLaren Vale, Coonawarra, Barossa Valley, Wrattonbully and Padthaway. These regions offer diverse soils—limestone, terra rossa and alluvial gravels—and varied micro-climates that support optimal ripening. Warm days with cool nights preserve acidity and build concentrated flavors in both Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz, contributing to complexity, structure and regional expression. 

Vinification & Aging Methods After careful hand harvesting and sorting, fermentation occurs in stainless steel or small fermenters with extended maceration to extract color, flavor and tannin balance from skins. The blend (approximately 53 % Cabernet Sauvignon and 47 % Shiraz) is matured in American oak hogsheads for around 12 months, with about 37 % new oak, imparting spice, cocoa and oak nuance without dominating fruit character. This traditional approach yields a rich mid-palate and structural finesse. 

Tasting Notes The 2021 Bin 389 displays deep crimson color with purple hues. The nose offers an alluring bouquet of blackberry, dark plum, mocha, leather, tobacco leaf, dry herbs and hints of cocoa and licorice. The palate is generous and velvety, integrating rich black and red fruit compote with savory notes of roast lamb juices, salted beef and spice. Fine tannins structure the wine, while creamy American oak and a refreshing acid seam support a long finish marked by mineral salinity and subtle graphite. 

Food and Wine Pairing This robust and structured red blend pairs superbly with grilled or roasted red meats, beef tenderloin with peppercorn jus, lamb rack with rosemary, braised short ribs, rich mushroom ragù or aged cheeses like Manchego or aged Gouda. Its balanced tannins and bold fruit profile also complement barbecued fare and slow-cooked dishes with savory herbs and spice. 

Service Methods and Temperatures Serve Penfolds Bin 389 slightly below room temperature at approximately 16–18 °C (60–64 °F). Decant for 1.5–2 hours to allow the wine to unfurl and release its aromatic complexity. Use large, Bordeaux-style glasses to support the wine’s layered structure and rich flavors, and avoid overly cold service, which can mute expression. 

Storage and Aging Potential Bin 389 is a wine built for longevity. Under ideal cellar conditions (12–14 °C with stable humidity and minimal vibration), the 2021 vintage has excellent aging potential, showing best drinking from 2028 through 2045+. With time, tertiary notes of earth, leather and cedar will develop, enhancing complexity while preserving fruit vibrancy. 

Grape Varietals & percentage used Approximately 53 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 47 % Shiraz. 

ABV (Alcohol by Volume) 14.5 %. 

Scores

Andrew Caillard MW: 97

Ken Gargett: 97

Ray Jordan: 97

Matthew Jukes: 19+/20 (equivalent)

Tyson Stelzer: 96