Penfolds – Bin 389

Since 1844, Penfold’s success has been driven by a lineage of visionary winemakers. It began with Dr Christopher and Mary Penfold, the pioneers who dreamed big, inventing tonics, brandies, and fortified wines made from grapes and Australian sunshine. It continued with Alf Vesey, Ray Beckwith and Max Schubert, celebrated winemaking legends who pushed our development to extraordinary, bold new heights.

History –
1844 – After the success of early sherries and fortified wines, founders Dr Christopher and Mary Penfold planted their vine cuttings they had carried on their voyage over to Australia. In 1844 the fledging vineyard was officially established as the Penfolds wine company at Magill Estate.

1870 – As the company grew, so too did Dr Penfold’s medical reputation, leaving much of the running of the winery to Mary Penfold. Early forays into Clarets and Rieslings proved increasingly popular, and on Christopher’s death in 1870, Mary assumed total responsibility for the winery. Mary’s reign at the helm of Penfolds saw years of determination and endeavour.

1920 – By the time Mary Penfold retired in 1884 (ceding management to her daughter, Georgina) Penfolds was producing 1/3 of all South Australia’s wine. She’d set an agenda that continues today, experimenting with new methods in wine production. By Mary’s death in 1896, the Penfolds legacy was well on its way to fruition. By 1907, Penfolds had become South Australia’s largest winery.

1948 – In 1948, history was made again as Max Schubert became the company’s first Chief Winemaker. A loyal company man and true innovator, Schubert would propel Penfolds onto the global stage with his experimentation of long-lasting wines – the creation of Penfolds Grange in the 1950s.

1959 – In 1959 (while Schubert was perfecting his Grange experiment in secret), the tradition of ‘bin wines’ began. The first, a Shiraz wine with the grapes of the company’s own Barossa Valley vineyards was simply named after the storage area of the cellars where it is aged. And so Kalimna Bin 28 becomes the first official Penfolds Bin number wine.

Late 20th Century – the Penfolds board instructed Max Schubert to officially re-start production on Grange. His determination and the quality of the aged wine had won them over. Soon, the medals began flowing and Grange quickly became one of the most revered wines around the world. In 1988 Schubert was named Decanter Magazine’s Man of the Year, and on the 50th anniversary of its birth, Penfolds Grange was given a heritage listing in South Australia.

Current – Today Penfolds makes a wide range of wines, from the everyday Max’s to the flagship Grange, and from sparkling to fortified.

2022 Bin 389 Winemaker notes – Dense, bold crimson core with garnet edges. An aromatic kaleidoscope. Primary fruits lead the charge with fresh blackberries, mulberry compote and poached plums. A slightly herbaceous note of mulberry leaf and bay leaf revealing the Cabernet Sauvignon inclusion. Warm and generous baking spices with hints of freshly baked boysenberry muffins affirming the presence of warm climate Shiraz. Incredibly smooth in texture with a rich and plush mouthfeel. Very alluring. Blackberry and plum fruits carry forward to the palate. Supportive oak helps frame the wine but remains integrated and balanced. Flavors of blue and blackberry compote flesh out the mid-palate, while fine tannins and fresh acidity provide balance and poise.

Penfolds tasting notes – Instantly fresh and fleshy. Some overt single-varietal cabernet and shiraz fruits still sit separate …time will unite.. Expected liquorice, stewed plum and blackcurrant, with dark chocolate and mocha in the background. Savoury and salivating – mouth-watering, succulent acidity. This acidity interplays with integrated tannins – coating the mouth and adding length.. Yes, impressive length, with concentration, and a mandatory Bin 389 ‘sweet’ core; oak completely absorbed. Polished and refined. 98 points Andrew Caillard