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WTN: A half-dozen from Penfolds

PostPosted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 10:13 am
by Randy Buckner
2003 Penfolds, Cabernet Shiraz, Bin 389, South Australia, $25. Black fruit, floral notes, leather, and anise define the wine, all riding on a backbone of tart acids and rounded tannins; 86/86.

2003 Penfolds, Old Vine Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre, Bin 138, Barossa Valley, Australia, $22. The nose is a pleasant mix of red and black fruits, cocoa, and light oak. Effusively fruity, the wine is well balanced and jammy; 87/88.

2004 Penfolds, Shiraz Mourvèdre, Bin 2, South Australia, $15. Black cherries, oak and Baker’s chocolate delineate the nose, while the palate shows more pomegranate and berry flavors. The tannins are well managed, the finish crisp; 85/86.

2003 Penfolds, Cabernet Sauvignon, Bin 407, South Australia, $25. A ruby/brick red in color, the wine gives off black fruit, mint, chocolate and dill spice scents. Sporting a backbone of moderate tannins and crisp acids, you find modest fruit flavors and a long finish; 85/85.

2003 Penfolds, Shiraz, Kalimna Bin 28, South Australia, $22. Aromas of black cherries, milk chocolate, violets and oak radiate from this deep ruby Shiraz. Medium to full in the mouth, the wine is crisp, rounded, with plum and berry fruit; 85/85.

2003 Penfolds, Shiraz, Bin 128, Coonawarra, Australia, $22. Berries, oak and warm spice intermingle in the nose. Very crisp and fruity in the mouth, berry fruit predominates; 85/85.

Re: WTN: A half-dozen from Penfolds

PostPosted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 4:59 pm
by Ian Sutton
Randy
Thanks for the notes.
Is the Bin2 still stoppered with an artificial cork?

This line used to be a massive bargain back around the late 1980's, early 1990's. They then changed the bottle shape, to the standard Bordeaux bottle (it was a bit Rhoney before); dropped the concentration (and alcohol) and started pushing the price up from £3 towards £4-5 (now about £7 I think). It went from stunning value, to ho-hum in two vintages.

I still look out for Shiraz / Mourvedre blends (i.e. with little or no grenache) based on my experiences with this wine. Any good recco's welcomed!

regards

Ian

Re: WTN: A half-dozen from Penfolds

PostPosted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 5:05 pm
by Sue Courtney
You have some good notes on some of these wines. What would your medals be if you were scoring gold / silver / bronze, as these pointy things mean nothing to me.

BTW - I've tasted these wine but didn't get the tart acids that you mention in the Bin 389.