Product Information:
A bit of a dark horse, the Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon immediately impresses with an intense lift of pure, ripe blackcurrant fruit, laced with mint and a hint of violet. Oak influences of cigar box and fresh tobacco highlight the exceptional quality of the fruit. On the palate, it’s powerful and complete, with rich, saturated fruit soaking up the new oak, resulting in a sweet, dense mid-palate and a long, stylish finish.
Bin 707 is a perfect representation of Penfolds’ "House Style" for Cabernet Sauvignon: intensely flavoured fruit, fermentation, and maturation in new oak, and an expression of Penfolds' expertise in multi-vineyard, multi-region fruit sourcing. Named after the iconic jet that symbolised its global reach, Bin 707 is Penfolds' first commercial release of a single cabernet-based wine. This wine is linked to Max Schubert’s vision of creating an Australian red wine with the potential to age for at least 20 years.
In the 1950s and early 1960s, cabernet sauvignon was primarily used for blending, but Schubert’s breakthrough came with the 1964 inaugural vintage of Bin 707, establishing it as a stand-alone varietal wine. Early Bin 707 vintages were typically open-fermented under wax-lined header boards and matured in seasoned oak rather than new oak. The wine was not produced in several years, including from 1970 to 1975, nor in 1981, 1995, 2000, 2003, 2011, or 2017, when fruit of the desired style and quality wasn’t available. Full-bodied and with proven cellaring potential, Bin 707 remains one of Australia’s finest cabernets.
Maker:
Penfolds has been a pioneer in winemaking since its founding in 1844 by Dr. Christopher and Mary Penfold. The winery’s success is rooted in a tradition of visionary winemakers who have consistently pushed the boundaries of winemaking. Mary Penfold’s leadership at the helm of Penfolds was marked by determination and innovation, experimenting with new winemaking methods. In 1948, Max Schubert became the company’s first Chief Winemaker and propelled Penfolds onto the global stage with his revolutionary creation of Penfolds Grange in the 1950s. This breakthrough led to a cascade of awards, making Grange one of the world’s most revered wines.
In 2012, Penfolds released one of its most innovative projects—12 handcrafted ampoules of the rare 2004 Kalimna Block Cabernet Sauvignon. Today, Penfolds continues to uphold the legacy and philosophies that have driven its success since its inception, maintaining its place as a global leader in winemaking.
Vineyard:
Good winter rains in South Australian regions provided a strong start to the growing season. Fruit set was excellent, and careful vineyard management, including crop load reduction, ensured the vines were in optimal condition for ripening. Summer rains brought welcome relief, and the ensuing fine weather towards vintage allowed the fruit to reach full ripeness, resulting in harvest at the perfect moment.
Nose - Fragrant Dark Berry, Praline, Mocha
Fragrant dark berry, praline, mocha aromas with a touch of mint, star anise.
Palate - Black Berry, Muscular Firm Tannins, Spicy Vanilla Oak
Rich and solid with upfront blackberry, dark cherry, redcurrant flavours, strong muscular firm tannins and spicy vanilla oak nuances
Finish - Bitter Sweet, Chocolatey, Minerally
Finishes bitter-sweet, chocolatey and minerally. A hugely concentrated wine with substantial fruit and tannin power.
An incredible hulk of a wine. Noticeably cabernet – as much by its firm, wrenching structure as by anything else. Cedar, sweat, earth, custard, musk, and a glorious hunk of pristine blackcurrant fruit – it’s controlled yet massive, with long roping oak-washed length and fruit of ultimate definition. - Campbell Mattinson, The Wine front, 95 Points.
(2004) Very dense red with intense oak and an equally intense dollop of oak. Surprisingly approachable although the wine will undoubtedly age well for years. Great balance. Almost rainsined fruit. Fruit cake. - Bob Campbell, The Real Review, 95 Points
The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal - Cabernet Sauvignon
Country - Australia
Region - McLaren Vale, Coonawarra, Barossa Valley, Padthaway
Vintage - 2001
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 13.5%
