Winemaker Notes
Deep red. Varietally correct, with all the right ‘ingredients’ – dried herbs, tobacco, mint, rosemary and thyme. Familial aromas of cold roasted lamb, dark olive and pulpy tomato attest to regional and varietal parentage. Oak? Just. An olive savoriness sitting over a powdery coffee-ground base are the first two flavor/textural descriptors that register. Then, blackcurrant, mulberry, boysenberry fruits complemented by a tomato puree sweetness. The friendly mix of trans-Atlantic oaks is handled very well (34% new). Finishes clean and long, courted throughout by compliant Cabernet tannins.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
The varietal stamp of cabernet is immediate with herbs, cassis, tomato paste and leafy nuances alongside blueberries and plenty of vanillin-scented oak spices. The palate's quite luscious, really unfurling on entry with plenty of depth and fleshy presence in addition to a core of blue-fruit flavors. There's also plenty of cassis complemented by riper notes and some olives and late mocha-flavored oak that comes into play through the finish. The tannins run the distance and frame this nicely. Approachable now, but best around 2020-2024. A blend of Wrattonbully, McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley, Coonawarra and Clare Valley that's aged in a mix of 300-litre French and American oak barrels. This is the 25th release of this wine.
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Wine Spectator
Bold and seductive, with accents of dark chocolate—covered espresso bean, fresh sage and licorice to the core of blackberry and plum flavors. The tannins show plenty of polish. Drink now through 2028.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Mainly sourced from Wrattonbully, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Bin 407 has a deep garnet-purple color with aromas of crushed black currants and plums plus touches of pencil shavings, bay leaves, menthol and cedar. Vibrantly fruited, the medium to full-bodied palate has nice grainy tannins and a good core of pure fruit with an herbal lift on the finish. Rating: 90+
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.
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.