Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 2022 (Gift Box)

Winery Background and History

Penfolds is one of Australia’s most iconic wineries, founded in 1844 in South Australia by Christopher and Mary Penfold. Over the decades, Penfolds has become synonymous with premium benchmark wines, most famously Grange. Bin 389 was first created in 1960 by Max Schubert and is often called “Baby Grange” because part of the wine is matured in former Grange barrels. The brand is known for blending multiple regions and vintages to achieve both power and balance. Today Penfolds is part of Treasury Wine Estates, with Peter Gago serving as long-term chief winemaker. 

Producer and Wine Maker

The producer is Penfolds (Treasury Wine Estates). The wine is crafted under the direction of Penfolds’ winemaking team, led by Peter Gago. For Bin 389, Penfolds sources fruit from multiple premium regions, manages winemaking protocols tightly (fermentation, oak aging, blending) and monitors barrel lots, aiming to express both varietal intensity and house style. 

Vineyards and Micro Climate

The fruit for Bin 389 2022 is drawn from a blend of regions including McLaren Vale, Coonawarra, Barossa Valley, Padthaway, and Wrattonbully. These regions provide variation in soil, climate, and structure: warmer zones contribute rich fruit, cooler zones contribute freshness and structure. Diurnal temperature swings help retain acidity in the grapes, and soils tend to be well-drained, with gravel, red loam, and clay components among parcels. 

Vinification & Aging Methods

After harvest and sorting, fermentation is conducted under temperature control. Part of the wine is matured in oak (including barrels that formerly held Grange), contributing complexity and structure. The wine is blended from multiple parcels and barrels over time for balance. Aging in oak helps integrate tannins and add nuance, but the precise proportions of new vs used oak in 2022 are not fully public. 

Tasting Notes

Deep red to garnet colour. Aromas include blackcurrant, blackberry, dark cherry, and cassis, with hints of licorice, graphite, and subtle oak spice. The palate is full, rich and layered: mid-palate offers creamy dark fruit, chocolate, a touch of mocha, and fine tannins that support balance. The finish is long, with lingering dark fruit, spice, and a signature creamy mid-palate that Penfolds often highlights. 

Food & Wine Pairing

Pairs beautifully with generous, flavourful meats: grilled ribeye, lamb racks, beef fillet, or game meats. Also suits hearty stews or roasts, dishes with mushroom and truffle elements, as well as mature hard cheeses (e.g. aged cheddar, Comté). Roast vegetables, caramelised onion dishes, and peppery sauces will complement the wine’s spice and fruit profile.

Service Methods and Temperatures

Serve at 16-18 °C (≈ 60-64 °F). Use a large Bordeaux or Shiraz-style red wine glass to allow aromas to fully evolve. Decanting for 30 minutes is recommended to open the wine and soften its structure. Once opened, consume over 2-3 days, resealing well where possible and keeping temperature stable.

Storage and Aging Potential

This is a wine with aging potential. In proper cellar conditions (~12-14 °C, stable humidity, minimal light), it can evolve gracefully for 10–15 years or more. Over time, tertiary notes such as leather, tobacco, spice, forest floor may develop, while fruit and oak integrate. The 2022 vintage is described as “benchmark” and capable of long cellaring. 

Grape Varietals & percentage used

Approximately 51 % Cabernet Sauvignon and 49 % Shiraz in 2022. 

ABV (Alcohol by Volume)

14.5 % 

Scores

• Andrew Caillard MW: 96 

• Tyson Stelzer: 96 

• Huon Hooke: 96 

• James Halliday: 96 

• Ken Gargett: 96