Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 2022

Winery Background and History

Penfolds, founded in 1844 in Adelaide, is a historic Australian winery known for pioneering New World fine wine. The Bin series, including Bin 389—often called “Baby Grange”—owes its legacy to Max Schubert’s blending methodology, marrying structure and richness. Since 1960, Bin 389 has been matured partly in barrels that previously housed Grange, reflecting the brand’s enduring philosophy of combining elegance and power

Producer and Wine Maker

Penfolds’ in-house team, led by Chief Winemaker Peter Gago, crafts Bin 389 using fruit from multiple South Australian regions. The team ferments Shiraz and Cabernet separately, blending post-aging—an approach that delivers consistency and structural harmony across vintages

Vineyards and Micro Climate

The 2022 vintage sources fruit from McLaren Vale, Coonawarra, Barossa Valley, Padthaway, and Wrattonbully. These diverse microclimates span Mediterranean warmth and regional variations offering richness, tannic backbone, and balanced fruit intensity

Vinification & Aging Methods

After separate fermentations, the blend is matured for 12 months with 36% new American oak hogsheads, adding spicy seasoning without overwhelming fruit. This balances integration with structural complexity

Tasting Notes

Rich and dense with plush blackberry and violet aromas complemented by dried herbs, tar, gravel, smoky char, and pan scrapings—finishing powerfully with silky textures. Secondary notes include fennel, radicchio, pickled turnips, Moroccan lamb nuances, red liquorice, cherry, and evolved tannins driving structure

Food & Wine Pairing

Ideal with grilled or roasted red meats such as lamb backstraps or Moroccan-seasoned dishes, richly flavored casseroles, charcuterie, and dishes with savory complexity to match the wine’s density and spice layers

Service Methods and Temperatures

Serve at 16–18 °C. Decant to open aromas and soften tannins. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass to capture its layered palate and aromatic depth

Storage and Aging Potential

This vintage offers long-term cellaring potential. Drink window spans from mid-2020s through 2045, with tertiary evolution yielding complexity while retaining structure

Grape Varietals & percentage used

51 % Cabernet Sauvignon

49 % Shiraz

ABV

14.5 %

Scores

• Decanter – 97 Points

• Vinous Media – 95 Points

• Wine Spectator – 94 Points

• Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate – 93 Points