Winemaker Notes
Napa Valley cabernet sauvignon excellence, reinforced by flagship-worthy South Australian cabernet. Matured in French and American oak, this 2020 release shows a dark fruit intensity with notes of black pepper and coffee liqueur.
Napa Valley regional sourcing seeks to showcase strong tannic foundations, dark fruit intensity but with the added dimension of a unique “worldly” disposition. Matured in French and American oak, this release highlights Penfolds commitment to quality and winemaking approach.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Bin 149 is a combination of Napa Valley and South Australia and leads with a vibrant splay of intensely red/pink fruit. The tannins in the mouth clench around the flow of flavor and inhibit it a bit, but they show an intensity and grasp that will stand the wine in good stead in years to come. It's spicy and full and good! Very good. Powerful. 14.5% alcohol, sealed under natural cork.
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James Suckling
A 'wine of the world'. Chocolatey and dense, with some green bean, dried lavender and menthol piquancy marking the nose. The sweet mocha of the American oak (20%) showing its wares. This imparts lift and savoriness, making for good balance and drinkability. Lathered with plenty of oak, the weight and extract of the wine is nevertheless up for it, absorbing it effortlessly amidst the fray of currant and graphite. This is an intriguing wine of considerable personality. Very good drinking. Drink or hold.
Since 1844, Penfolds has been grounded in experimentation, curiosity and uncompromising quality. Their success has been driven by a lineage of visionary winemakers. It began with Dr. Christopher and Mary Penfold, the pioneers who dreamed big, inventing tonics, brandies, and fortified wines made from grapes and Australian sunshine. It continued with celebrated winemaking legends including Max Schubert, who pushed the development to extraordinary, bold new heights. It is this pioneering spirit and curiosity that still rings true after nearly two centuries, it is what has helped Penfolds become one of the most celebrated winemakers in the world today.
A noble variety bestowed with both power and concentration, Cabernet Sauvignon enjoys success all over the globe, its best examples showing potential to age beautifully for decades. Cabernet Sauvignon flourishes in Bordeaux's Medoc where it is often blended with Merlot and smaller amounts of some combination of Cabernet Franc, Malbecand Petit Verdot. In the Napa Valley, ‘Cab’ is responsible for some of the world’s most prestigious, age-worthy and sought-after “cult” wines. Somm Secret—DNA profiling in 1997 revealed that Cabernet Sauvignon was born from a spontaneous crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc in 17th century southwest France.
The wine world is vast and constantly expanding. With shifts in climate, fashion, trands and technology, new regions are constantly developing. Through research and experimentation enologists and winemakers continue to develop an understanding of which varieties work best on which vineyard sites. Often, since these regions have yet to gain worldwide popularity, they are great sources for the savvy consumer looking to try something new and interesting at a budget-friendly price.