Penfolds Bin138 Gsm Old Vine 08

Penfolds ‘Bin 138’ Barossa Shiraz/Mourvedre/Grenache 2008 (18.5+/20), at 14.5% alc, 42% Shiraz, 30% Mourvedre and 28% Grenache, old vines, matured 15 months in old American oak. Saturated black red colour, this had a beautifully fragrant, aromatic raspberry and black fruited nose, sweetly ripe, lusciously juicy and elegant on palate. Tannins are supple and restrained, but the fruit exuberance and balance will enable 6-8+ years aging.   RA Aug 10

This is the Chateauneuf-du-Pape equivalent from Penfolds, a style first released with the 1992 vintage. Employing solely Barossa Valley fruit from old, low-yielding vines, ranging in age from 35 to 100+ years, the 2008 ‘Bin 138’ is 42% Shiraz, 30% Mourvedre and 28% Grenache, fermented to 14.5% alc. and aged 15 months in seasoned American oak hogsheads. Dark ruby red in colour, with a near impenetrable black hue, the nose offers a heady rush of aromatics of wild raspberries, liquorice and spices that unfolds to reveal florals and meaty notes. On palate, this is a seriously constituted wine with excellent depth and concentration of red and black fruits, showing real ripeness and richness, but kept in check from being overly sweet by the fine-grained tannins. The old vine textures are a feature of the palate mouthfeel. The wine, while ready and enjoyable now, will cellar 10-15 years easily. A brilliant ‘Bin 138’.  RC March 10

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