Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
-
Decanter
A broodingly youthful "baby Grange" combining chocolate, cassis and blueberry Cabernet aromas with the sweeter, cinnamon, camphor and pepper notes of Shiraz but yet to fully integrate. Substantial and chewy with a firm spine of acidity.
-
Wine Spectator
Plump and generous, with opulent ripe plum, black cherry and fresh mint flavors that gain extra dimension from mocha, gingerbread and toasted cumin seed notes. Shows impressive torque on the long finish. Drink now through 2030.
-
Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
One of the most famous blends of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz in the world. Often referred to as "Baby Grange" because components of the wine are matured in the same barrels that held the previous Grange. The 2013 Penfolds Bin 389 shows the fine synergy between the two grape varieties. Ripe, round and loaded in every which way, this wine's suppleness makes it a great match with a pulled pork sandwich. Drinking pretty nicely now. (Tasted: May 9, 2016, San Francisco, CA)
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Composed of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon and 49% Shiraz, the Cabernet / Shiraz Bin 389 has a deep garnet-purple color and a nose of cherry and blackberry with a cassis undercurrent plus touches of pencil lead, cedar and Mediterranean herbs. The palate delivers a structured style with a firm, taut backbone, great freshness and a long, iron ore-laced finish.
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.
With hundreds of red grape varieties to choose from, winemakers have the freedom to create a virtually endless assortment of blended red wines. In many European regions, strict laws are in place determining the set of varieties that may be used, but in the New World, experimentation is permitted and encouraged resulting in a wide variety of red wine styles. Blending can be utilized to enhance balance or create complexity, lending different layers of flavors and aromas. For example, a red wine blend variety that creates a fruity and full-bodied wine would do well combined with one that is naturally high in acidity and tannins. Sometimes small amounts of a particular variety are added to boost color or aromatics. Blending can take place before or after fermentation, with the latter, more popular option giving more control to the winemaker over the final qualities of the wine.
How to Serve Red Wine
A common piece of advice is to serve red wine at “room temperature,” but this suggestion is imprecise. After all, room temperature in January is likely to be quite different than in August, even considering the possible effect of central heating and air conditioning systems. The proper temperature to aim for is 55° F to 60° F for lighter-bodied reds and 60° F to 65° F for fuller-bodied wines.
How Long Does Red Wine Last?
Once opened and re-corked, a bottle stored in a cool, dark environment (like your fridge) will stay fresh and nicely drinkable for a day or two. There are products available that can extend that period by a couple of days. As for unopened bottles, optimal storage means keeping them on their sides in a moderately humid environment at about 57° F. Red wines stored in this manner will stay good – and possibly improve – for anywhere from one year to multiple decades. Assessing how long to hold on to a bottle is a complicated science. If you are planning long-term storage of your reds, seek the advice of a wine professional.
South Australia is the historic heart of Australian wine, a great wine capital of the world, and home to some of the most famous regions. It produces more than 80% of Australia’s premium wine from some of the oldest vines in the world. There is an abundance of varieties and wide spectrum of styles to explore. From the rogue to refined, discover Australian wines that are far from ordinary.