Product Information:
The cool climate Bin 128 Coonawarra Shiraz is the perfect counterpoint to the more opulent and richly concentrated warm climate Bin 28 Shiraz. Bright, vibrant, high-energy shiraz, with impressive power and concentrated cassis and blackberry flavours providing good varietal definition.
Bin 128 is sourced from unique terra rossa soils of Coonawarra, a region that exemplifies the perfume, transparency and seductive nature of cool-climate red table wines. Coonawarra has remained the source of shiraz fruit for Bin 128 since the inaugural release of the 1962 vintage. Bin 128 is matured in a mixture of new and seasoned French oak hogsheads, élevage that was refined during the 1980’s when the transition was made from American to French oak.
Maker:
Penfolds has been a pioneer in the world of winemaking since its establishment in 1844 by Dr. Christopher and Mary Penfold. The company's success has been driven by a lineage of visionary winemakers who have pushed the development of the company to extraordinary, bold new heights. Mary Penfold's reign at the helm of Penfolds saw years of determination and endeavour, experimenting with new methods in wine production. In 1948, Max Schubert became the company's first Chief Winemaker and he propelled Penfolds onto the global stage with his experimentation of long-lasting wines - the creation of Penfolds Grange in the 1950s. Soon, the medals began flowing, and Grange quickly became one of the most revered wines around the world. In 2012, Penfolds released its most innovative project to date - 12 handcrafted ampoules of the rare 2004 Kalimna Block Cabernet Sauvignon. Today, Penfolds continues to hold dear the philosophies and legends that have driven the company's success since its establishment in 1844.
Vineyard:
The year began with below-average rainfall during May through September. However, July's generous showers and an unusually wet October quenched the vines' thirst at critical points in their growth cycle. As spring cast a cooler-than-expected spell over Coonawarra, frost became an occasional visitor—with nine days registering temperatures below 2°C, dipping to a low -0.3°C one early September morning. Frost fans proved invaluable, safeguarding the vines from potential harm. January's warmth coaxed the vines into superb flowering conditions while concurrently keeping disease at bay. This climatic blessing ushered in a rapid veraison phase for the grapes. Ripening occurred uniformly across all vineyards, underpinned by moderate crop sizes that naturally brought balance without necessitating much by way of human intervention. The crescendo of the growing season was marked by optimal ripening conditions. Flavours deepened, tannins were refined, and colours intensified. The harvest delivered high quality shiraz grapes bristling with potential.
Nose - Cedarwood, Redcurrant, Peppercorn
Australian bush, acacia, briar, red earth with an engaging black fruit and spice intensity.
Palate - Red Earth, Energetic Black Fruits, Savoury Spice
The palate is savoury and drying, lean and serious, black pepper notes emerging with time.
Finish - Plush Firm Tannins, Gentle Vanilla Pod, Woodsy Spices
It brings plush, firm tannins and gentle vanilla pod, woodsy spice and a sense of occasion to a wine full of elegance.
Bin 128 Shiraz resonates well in a traditional claret style. There is no other region in the world where shiraz shows similar characteristics to cabernet sauvignon. - Andrew Caillard MW, 95 Points.
In a vintage noted for cool weather and challenging conditions across many South Australian wine regions which produced some linear red wine expressions, a wine like Bin 128 stands out and shows us once again why shiraz deserves its place in a cabernet heartland like Coonawarra. It combines a sense of place, of the Australian bush, acacia, briar, red earth with an engaging black fruit and spice intensity. In between these two regional and varietal signposts is pure Penfolds, namely some expensive French oak (12 months in French hogsheads, 30% new) put to good use. It brings plush, firm tannins and gentle vanilla pod, woodsy spice and a sense of occasion to a wine full of elegance. And yet so tight and still a little closed when tasted. Imagine the beauty to be explored as it ages.. - Jeni Port, Wine Pilot, 95 Points.
Cedarwood set into redcurrant and red cherry, peppercorn characters well integrated, tannin sweet and well set. There’s a slight trace of clovey bitterness to the aftertaste, which distracts but doesn’t detract, but as a whole this wine hangs together well. - Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front, 93 Points.
The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal - Shiraz
Country - Australia
Region - Coonawarra, South Australia
Vintage - 2022
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 14.5%
