Penfolds Annual Bin Wine Releases 2006
With Paul Ippolito
Penfolds Bin 311 Tumbarumba Chardonnay 2005:
Gorgeous
light pale straw hues. The wine reflects its cool climate origins of
Southern NSW. A lovely quite lifted citrus lemon tangy nose emits hints
of lime zest, crisp apple and ever so subtle tropical fruits. Quite an
elegant wine with a tight structure. This youthfulness transforms well
delivering soft full fruit flavours that mesh beautifully together and
deliver a creamy texture of mouth feel on the finish but with plenty of
fruit acidity to support the classic varietal flavours. Drinking
very well now this is an excellent wine that should cellar upwards of 5
years plus. Have with oysters mornay. Around $35 at the top end of the
market.
Penfolds Bin 28 Shiraz 2003:
This
is a medium to full bodied purple crimson red with upfront ripe sweet
fruit aromas. Lots of intense and resplendent plum with hints of rich
luscious blackberry. It presents quite evocatively at first. This with
some fresh acidity, deep fruit and subtle integrated cedary oak
treatment. The wine lingers with a savoury, leaner dimension with silky
fine tannins that takes it out of the big blockbuster high alcohol red
league and still makes it a balanced albeit young wine. Should cellar
5-7 years plus. A very good wine. Perfect with oven roasted lamb
shanks. About $26 but available at discounted prices widely.
Penfolds Bin 128 Coonawarra Shiraz 2003:
A
wine renown for its consistency of style, like the Bin 28 and with an
emphasis on fruit ripeness. Dark purple red in colour. Strong
blackberry and raspberry fruit aromas abound from the glass. Quite
upfront. Hints of nutmeg spice and cracked fine black pepper also
follow. The wine also emits a certain class and elegance. What ensues
is lovely deep black berry fruit flavours delivered with softness and a
silky finish that lingers long. The integration of fruit, acidity,
tannin and oak is there and such making it quite drinkable now. Have
with beef and mushroom pie. Cellar 4-5 years plus. Around $26 but again
widely available cheaper than this.
Penfolds Bin 138 Old Vine Barossa Valley Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre 2004:
The
first of the Penfolds Bin series reds now under screw cap and with a
fresh youthfulness abounding from the glass. An astonishingly deep
crimson dark purple in colour. Remember this is the 2004 not the 2003
vintage like the other wines. Aromatically spice filled aromas with
deep berry fruit characters dominate the nose. Loads of plum and
blackberry fruit again flowing though. A soft well rounded texture
ensues with hints of black olive and liquorice. The oak component being
well integrated, the wine is really fresh and uplifting with a good
medium finish. Should cellar 3 plus years but drinking nicely
now. Have with grilled sirloin steak and stuffed mushrooms. At around
$26 or even less, this is a good value red.
Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 2003:
Cabernet
Shiraz blends work. Winemakers please note. I know it may seem obvious
but we are not producing near enough of these types of blends and here
is an example as it why it works and shows so well. The synergies of
the Cabernet and Shiraz result in a very well blended red that is a
good each way bet now and for later. Deep dark purple red, the nose is
complex and brooding. A blend of blackberry, plum and nutmeg spice
ensues. The ripeness of the fruit reflects onwards into a seamless
velvety palate that highlights the dark berry fruit but with secondary
nuances of liquorice, dark chocolate and coffee mocha flavours that
linger long. Should cellar 5 years plus. Have with roast beef. At
around $41, priced at the higher end.
Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon 2003:
This
is an interesting red. Purple in colour, it evokes classic varietal
Cabernet aromas of rich blackcurrant, subtle blackberry, and pronounced
cigar box oak with a subtle leafiness in the background. Savoury in
delivery, it is quite refined and has a medium length of finish.
Coonawarra in style but this one actually comes from a South Australia
multi district blend. It is still quite youthful. Fine tannins and
quite firm oak foresees a medium to longer term future with further
development. Cellar up to 5-6 years and have with grilled lamb cutlets.
Around $35.
Paul can be contacted by email at Paul_Ippolito@hotmail.com
where you can also request to be placed on his mailing list
for his wine newsletter.
About Paul Ippolito.
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