Penfolds Bin 128 Shiraz is a single-region wine created in 1962, reflecting the unique climate and growing conditions of Coonawarra and the relatively elegant style of cool-climate Shiraz. From the 1980 vintage, French oak replaced American, highlighting the pepper, spice, and floral characteristics that define this style — and since the mid-1980s, greater attention to fruit ripeness has resulted in a wine that is fuller in style and structure. The 2010 vintage draws on a consistently warmer-than-average growing season that proved ideal for Shiraz, matured for 12 months in new and seasoned French oak hogsheads. Now drinking at full maturity, this is a linear, defined Coonawarra Shiraz of real elegance and authority. As Peter Gago simply notes: “Begs food!”
Appearance
Crimson with a deep-red core — still showing excellent depth and vitality for its age.
Aroma
Delicately scented with fragrances of lavender, rosemary, and rose petal. Well-absorbed cedar oak and a suggestion of regional artefact — spearmint and blackcurrant pastille. Subtle background scents of fruit mince, sage, and brown butter cautiously seep in to fill any aromatic void. Elegant and restrained.
Palate
Linear and defined. Alluring flavours of fresh plum and blackcurrant, freshly cured ham, and caraway seed. Prominent grainy tannins and mouth-watering binding acidity authoritatively keep all components in check. French oak is in balance and stylishly understated. Finishes firm — a wine of structure and precision that rewards the table it demands.
Pairs With
Saddle of hare with wild mushroom confit, baby beets, braised leek, and a sage butter sauce — as matched by the Penfolds kitchen. Equally at home with roasted duck, lamb rack, and aged hard cheeses.
Winemaker’s Notes
“A single-region alternative Shiraz offer… in 2010, comfortable with a greater emphasis on structure rather than flavour.”
“Begs food!”
“A continued and vital Penfolds engagement with Shiraz from Coonawarra vineyards — now spanning well over half a century!”
— Peter Gago, Penfolds Chief Winemaker
