Penfolds Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon 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 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.

The Penfolds Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 is a remarkable wine that has been matured for 16 months in American oak hogsheads that are 100% new. This wine has been crafted using exceptional grapes grown in Coonawarra, Wrattonbully, and Barossa Valley regions. Coonawarra provided optimal conditions for the grapes, with a warm spring that was kind to the vines during flowering. The summer and autumn were cooler than average, which resulted in ideal ripening conditions, despite 14 days above 35°C. Wrattonbully and Barossa Valley also experienced similar ideal conditions, resulting in outstanding quality cabernet sauvignon grapes. The colour of the wine is an impenetrable black, reluctantly reddening on the rim, revealing its complex layers and density. The nose is textbook classic, with aromas of blackcurrant, cassis, mulberry and cooked black plum, with freshly picked black Negronne fig. Moroccan spices and hints of toasted sourdough bread and ground coconut rough add further intrigue. On the palate, the wine is powerful and engulfing, propelled by a wave of fresh mulberry, fig, Goji berry, raspberry and fresh blackcurrant. Ripe and firm, glossy tannins frame many layers, including those that appear to stand above the wine, potentially levitating to another realm. The wine finishes with a textural creaminess and a sumptuousness, hinting at the seamless integration of the oak maturation. The wine is balanced, complete and latent, showcasing its exceptional quality. This wine is designed to be enjoyed after 2026 and will continue to develop complexity until at least 2050.

Deep crimson. Lovely blackcurrant, mocha, grilled nut aromas with espresso, hint liquorice notes Gernerous pure cassis, dark plum, praline, hint demi-glace flavours, fine grainy. graphite firm tannins, very good mid palate density, well-integrated mocha, roasted almond notes and underlying mineral freshness. Finishes chocolaty firm with some tobacco leaf notes. Grange in cabernet clothing. Should age brilliantly well. Drink 2026 - 2050. - Andrew Caillard MW, 97 Points.

The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal - Cabernet Sauvignon
Country - Australia
Region - McLaren Vale, Coonawarra, Barossa Valley, Padthaway
Vintage - 2021
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 14.5%