Winemaker Notes
This wine presents a garnet core with a cherry-red rim. The nose is ample and indulgent, revealing a refined and savory aromatic profile reminiscent of European character. Notes of spicy marinated olives, feta, and semi-dried tomatoes mingle with cured meats such as coppa and saucisson sec. Hints of Thai red curry paste freshly ground by mortar and pestle, along with thyme flowers, lavender, and violets, add complexity. Aromas of slow-cooked comfort foods—braised lamb with winter root vegetables, barley and mushroom risotto, and concentrated bone broth—enrich the bouquet.
On the palate, the wine is glossy and resolved with malt and toast leading the way. Generous sweet fruit notes are enveloped by American oak, which encases the dark fruit core. As the oak impression softens, it reveals bursts of custard, goji berries, medjool dates, and a creamy chocolate-malt texture. Subtle layers of oregano, hazelnut, and cinnamon season the wine. Structurally, it flares open rather than narrowing toward the finish, supported by clear tannins and a harmonious, resolved mouthfeel.
Blend: 84% Cabernet, 14% Shiraz
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Sourcing 83% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Napa Valley and 17% Shiraz from Paso Robles, this imaginative blend is structured and meaty, showing notes of cigar box, toasted oak and wild game. Red fruit-dominant, it unfurls layers of cassis and red cherry with ease, finishing in creamy mocha.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2019 Penfolds Bin 600 Cabernet Shiraz deftly combines three major viticultural areas in California. TASTING NOTES: This wine shines with aromas and flavors of black fruit, oaky notes, and a hint of coconut. Serve it with grilled beef ribs. (Tasted: July 21, 2022, Rutherford, CA)
California is a winemaking colossus; by itself it is the fourth largest producer in the world. Red wine accounts for 56% of the total by volume, and red grapes 63% of total acres planted. In addition, a number of California red wines are heralded as being among the most prestigious and sought-after wines in the world.
While the state’s incredibly diverse geography, soils and microclimates allow for a wide array of styles, the key factor unifying California red wine is the abundance of sunshine and a long, consistent growing season. This leads to well-developed fruit marked both by impressive ripeness and balancing acidity.
The state’s most famous red wine region, of course, is Napa Valley, where Cabernet Sauvignon reigns as king. But California boasts a wealth of other impressive appellations. The much larger and climatically varied Sonoma County also produces world class California Cabernet, along with wonderful examples of California Pinot Noir and Zinfandel.
Fine versions of Cabernet and Zinfandel hail from Paso Robles as well, which is also gaining fame with Rhone varietals like Syrah and Grenache. As for Pinot Noir, terrific examples can be found from AVA’s such as Anderson Valley, Carneros, Santa Lucia Highlands and Sta. Rita Hills. Wineries in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties are making wonderful Syrahs, and the Sierra Foothill appellations are proving to be an experimental hotbed, with Italian and Spanish varietals employed to great effect.
This of course is a mere sketch. The subject of California red wine is as deep and broad as an ocean, and absolutely a joy to explore!