Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
-
Decanter
The richer counterpart to Bin 128, this warm-climate blend of Barossa, McLaren Vale and Padthaway fruit (no Upper Adelaide or Wrattonbully fruit in this vintage) is a deep, primary dark ruby colour. And yet it's from a cool growing season, with the harvest finishing a month later than the previous year. It displays a subdued, spicy richness of aroma spliced with a hint of cooler vintage pepper. The palate though is typically generously fruited, with blackberry fruit infused with Penfolds’ trademark toasty vanillin American oak - an umami feel, it's underpinned by nicely resolved tannins that are very much present in the mouthfeel, gradually softening as the wine tapers towards its sumptuous conclusion. Bring on the chilli con carne or braised pork belly.
-
Wine Spectator
Impressive for the concentrated notes of blackberry, cassis and framboise, with touches of dried violet, black walnut and black pepper. Dense tannins and espresso and tobacco details linger on the finish. Drink now through 2034.
-
James Suckling
This has moved to position itself firmly as a wine that trades on the strengths of Barossa shiraz, in an all-round way, while also incorporating McLaren Vale and Padthaway sourcing. Deep blackberries and redder fruit with a creamy, vanillin-laced nose and some cedar and tarry notes. The palate has a smooth build of fleshy fruit and silky, refined and polished tannin. Drink now or wait six years.
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A blend of fruit from Barossa, McLaren Vale and Padthaway, the 2017 Bin 28 Kalimna Shiraz is meant to replicate the Northern Barossa style of its namesake vineyard, with opulent dark fruit, savory spice notes of pepper and licorice and a full-bodied, plush mouthfeel. It's a delicious Shiraz for drinking over the next decade or so.
-
Wine & Spirits
A rich and supple shiraz, this is chewy and meaty, dense with black olive and dark plum flavors. It’s a clean blend from Penfolds’ vineyards and growers throughout South Australia, fully extracted yet gentle.
-
Jeb Dunnuck
The 2017 Shiraz Kalimna Bin 28 is a multi-vineyard cuvée sourced from Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Padthaway, Upper Adelaide, and Wrattonbully. Brought up in American oak, it reveals a deep ruby/purple hue as well as a rocking bouquet of sweet plums, Asian spices, vanilla, and black olives, with a hint of eucalyptus emerging with time in the glass. Rounded, medium-bodied, and supple on the palate, it has plenty of fruit, good balance, and will keep nicely for 5-7 years.
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.
Marked by an unmistakable deep purple hue and savory aromatics, Syrah makes an intense, powerful and often age-worthy red. Native to the Northern Rhône, Syrah achieves its maximum potential in the steep village of Hermitage and plays an important component in the Red Rhône Blends of the south, adding color and structure to Grenache and Mourvèdre. Syrah is the most widely planted grape of Australia and is important in California and Washington. Sommelier Secret—Such a synergy these three create together, the Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre trio often takes on the shorthand term, “GSM.”
Historically and presently the most important wine-producing region of Australia, the Barossa Valley is set in the Barossa zone of South Australia, where more than half of the country’s wine is made. Because the climate is very hot and dry, vineyard managers work diligently to ensure grapes reach the perfect levels of phenolic ripeness.
The intense heat is ideal for plush, bold reds, particularly Shiraz on its own or Rhône Blends. Often Shiraz and Cabernet partner up for plump and powerful reds.
While much less prevalent, light-skinned varieties such as Riesling, Viognier or Semillon produce vibrant Barossa Valley whites.
Most of Australia’s largest wine producers are based here and Shiraz plantings date back as far as the 1850s or before. Many of them are dry farmed and bush trained, still offering less than one ton per acre of inky, intense, purple juice.