Product Information:
The 1994 Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon is a remarkable wine from an outstanding year - complex and firm with superb balance and character. Cabernet from Coonawarra contributes strength and firmness of structure, while the Barossa component adds mouth filling richness, resulting in a completeness of structure and flavour. Fermentation is finished in and matured in new American oak barrels for 18 months.
Bin 707 is a perfect cabernet sauvignon representation of Penfolds ‘House Style’: intensely-flavoured fruit; completion of fermentation and maturation in new oak; expressing a Penfolds understanding of multi-vineyard, multi-region fruit sourcing. Inspired by the iconic jet that took it to the world. The rich and powerful Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon, our first commercial release of a single cabernet-based wine, is linked to Max Schubert’s dream of making a great Australian red wine that could last at least 20 years. During the ‘50s and early ‘60s cabernet sauvignon was mostly used for blending, but Schubert’s breakthrough with the varietal as a stand-alone wine came in 1964 with inaugural vintage. Early Bin 707s were typically open fermented under wax-lined header boards and matured in seasoned old oak (rather than new oak). The wine was not made from 1970 to 1975 (when fruit was directed to other wines) nor in 1981, 1995, 2000, 2003, 2011 or 2017 (when fruit of the required style and quality was not available). Full-bodied and with proven cellaring potential, Bin 707 retains a secure place among the ranks of Australia’s finest cabernets.
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 spring and summer preceding the 1994 vintage were cool and dry in most parts of Australia, a very welcome change from the difficult, wet 1992 spring that had created so many problems the previous year. The result, however, was a very late vintage which had vineyard managers in the cooler areas doubting whether the grapes could possibly ripen fully. Luckily, a long mild autumn allowed full ripeness to be achieved.
Nose - Tobacco like Fragrance, Cassis, Mint
The complex and stylish bouquet shows intense, sweet, dark fruits - stewed plum and cassis with integrated barrel ferment oak characters. Earthy rich nuances and tobacco complexities add further depth to the aromas.
Palate - Smoky Bacon, Full, Pillowy
Highly defined and powerful, the full bodied palate has concentrated blackcurrant flavours complexed by integrated, sweet, strong oak and tannins that grip.
Finish - Massive Tannins, Broad Flavour, Clove Spice
The wine shows impeccable balance, sweetness of fruit and a long lingering finish, the hallmarks of a great wine.
Deep purple-red; a wonderfully fragrant, powerful and intense aroma proclaiming Cabernet Sauvignon at the height of its youthful power leads on to a formidable palate, crammed with fruit and oak, but with tannins to lose (as the Californians are fond of saying). Needs years to begin to give of its best but will sweep all before it before it is finished in its show career. Top gold medal winner at the 1997 Sydney Wine Show. - James Halliday, The Wine Companion, 95 Points.
Tannin scorched. Lots of tobacco-like fragrance. Smells beautiful actually. Cassis, mouth-coating tannin, mint, tobacco and cloves. Huge grunt of flavour. A really good 707. Big and structured, oak-polished and statuesque. - Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front, 94 Points.
Black olive, toasty smoky oak and barrel ferment aromas. Smoky bacon. Palate is full-bodied, rich and soft, fleshy and rounded; pillowy. Massive tannins and big fat broad flavour. - Huon Hooke, The Real Review.
The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal - Cabernet Sauvignon
Country - Australia
Region - McLaren Vale, Coonawarra, Barossa Valley, Padthaway
Vintage - 1994
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 13.5%
