Penfolds Bin 128 Coonawarra Shiraz 2021

Penfolds has a rich history dating back to 1844 when Dr. Christopher and Mary Penfold arrived in Australia with a vine cutting and a bold vision. They purchased 500 acres of land in South Australia and began producing tonics, brandies, and fortified wines made from grapes and Australian sunshine. Christopher's planting of vines and his philosophies continue to influence Penfolds to this day. Mary Penfold, the unsung chief of Penfolds, played a significant role in the winery's experimentations, growth and winemaking philosophies. Max Schubert became the company's first Chief Winemaker in 1948 and created the long-lasting Penfolds Grange in the 1950s. The tradition of 'bin wines' began in 1959 with Kalimna Bin 28 becoming the first official Penfolds Bin number wine. Penfolds continues to innovate, with the release of the rare 2004 Kalimna Block Cabernet Sauvignon in 2012 and the 170th anniversary celebration in 2014. Today, Penfolds remains one of Australia's most famed and respected winemakers, driven by generations of visionaries and innovators who strive for excellence in winemaking.

Bin 128 has been using Shiraz fruit sourced from Coonawarra since the first release in 1962. To enhance the regional qualities of the wine, a mixture of new and seasoned French oak hogsheads is used for maturation. This method was refined during the 1980s when Bin 128 transitioned from using American oak to French oak. Bin 128 Coonawarra Shiraz is a cool-climate wine that provides a fascinating contrast to the richly concentrated warm climate Bin 28 Shiraz with each vintage release. The fruit for Bin 128 is sourced from Coonawarra's unique terra rossa soils, which exemplify the perfume, transparency and seductive nature of cool-climate red table wines. Coonawarra has been the source of shiraz fruit for Bin 128 since the inaugural 1962 vintage. To further enhance the regional qualities of Bin 128, a mixture of new and seasoned French oak hogsheads is used for maturation, a method refined during the 1980s when the transition was made from American to French oak.

Penfolds Bin 128 Coonawarra Shiraz 2021 is a true reflection of a brilliant vintage, showcasing the exceptional quality of the fruit that was grown. The vintage conditions were just perfect, and it shows in the wine's overall taste and aroma. The color of the wine is a stunning plum-purple, which is quite inviting. The nose is complex and opens up with blue fruits, violets and cracked black pepper. The aroma is bursting with fresh mulberries, wild strawberries and boysenberries, which combine with the darker panforte nuance. There is also a touch of just baked panettone with vanilla cream, which adds sweet allure and charm. On further sniffing, the savory aromas manifest with roast beef and horseradish, paprika, Moroccan spices, with a hint of struck match and pencil shavings. On the palate, the wine is medium-weight, with a well-balanced structure relative to the warm-climate Bin 28 Shiraz. The flavors of blue fruits that were noted on the nose are quite apparent on the palate, but the wine leans towards the savory end of the flavor spectrum. The cured meat flavors, pepper, olives and paprika all vie for attention, while the almond kernels and cardamom add to the allure. The tannins are refined, silken and finely woven around the fruit, while the acid line is neat as a pin. The Penfolds Bin 128 Coonawarra Shiraz 2021 is a perfect representation of what a great Shiraz should be - complex, balanced and elegant. It is an outstanding wine that can be enjoyed now, but also has the potential for further cellaring for decades to come. Enthusiasts of this classic varietal that are looking for a wine with excellent aging potential will not be disappointed in this remarkable bottle.

A core of blueberry fruits sits confidently in the bright acid sphere of the outstanding 2021 season, furnishing the space and the elegance for the Coonawarra to articulately express its fine chalk mineral texture. The result is a shiraz of particularly medium-bodied refinement, a notably refreshing take on the Penfolds style, with a long and compelling future stretching before it. - Tyson Stelzer, 94 Points

Classic Penfolds style with ripe but enticing black fruits, a bit of creaminess, and notes of spice, dill and coconut adding some sweet interest to the lush but balanced fruit. Hard not to like this: finished detailed and salty. - Jamie Goode, 94 Points

The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal -  Shiraz
Country - Australia
Region - Coonawarra, South Australia
Vintage - 2021
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 14.5%