Penfolds Bin 128 Coonawarra Shiraz 2012
Style: Red Wine
Variety: Shiraz
Closure: Screwcap
Penfolds Bin 128 Coonawarra Shiraz 2012
Camberwell
Burke Road
Camberwell VIC 3124
Australia
Producer: Penfolds
Country: Australia
Region: Coonawarra
Vintage: 2012
Critic Score: 94
Alcohol: 14.5%
Size: 750 ml
Drink by: 2040
Penfolds Bin 128 is sourced from the unique terra rossa soils of Coonawarra, a region that exemplifies the perfume, transparency and seductive nature of cool climate red table wines. Coonawarra has remained the sole source of shiraz fruit for Bin 128 since the inaugural release of the 1962 vintage. In order to further enhance the regional qualities of Bin 128, the wine is matured in a mixture of new and seasoned French oak hogsheads, a method that was refined during the 1980's when the transition was made from American to French oak. The cool climate Bin 128 Coonawarra Shiraz provides an interesting counterpoint to the more opulent and richly concentrated warm climate Bin 28 Shiraz.
"The palate is medium to full-bodied and rich, dense and powerful, a very structured 128 with power and precision and great line, this will age magnificently. Great balance." Huon Hooke
The 2012 Bin 128 Kalimna was matured for 13 months in 26% new French oak, 37% 1-y.o. French oak, 37% 2-y.o.
"Medium-deep crimson. Developed plum, raspberry and graphite aromas with sage and mint notes. A generously concentrated fruit-sweet wine with plum and kirsch-like flavours, fine, supple and sweet tannins, minty notes, underlying vanilla oak and long fresh acidity. Finishes firm and sweet. A very attractive and plush style with plenty of fruit density, richness and vigour. Should keep for a while. Drink now to 2032.
Vintage Conditions: Winter rainfall and maximum monthly temperatures were close to the long term average. Adequate winter rains enabled full soil moisture at budburst. A lack of frost and intermittent rain helped get the season off to a good start. Dry and warm climatic conditions prevailed throughout the growing season. Summer temperatures were slightly above average, with little rain recorded. Veraison began in January, two weeks earlier than usual. Warm dry conditions continued throughout harvest with fruit picked in optimal condition with great flavour, tannin and acid retention." Penfolds
Expert reviews
"Deep red colour with some purple tints. Subdued but very attractive aromas, subtle spices. The palate is medium to full-bodied and rich, dense and powerful, a very structured 128 with power and precision and great line, this will age magnificently. Great balance. Drink: 2014-2040." Huon Hooke, The Real Review - 94 points
"This is in very fine form. Bin 128 doesn't get much better than this. It has enough fruit generosity but it also has a clear, honed elegance. Plum, spice, cloves, red cherries. Succulent red. Lipsmacking. Excellent depth and impact. At the upper end of power/intensity for Bin 128 but no doubt it still keeps itself nice." Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front - 94 points
"A young release for an ageworthy style, this is not a wine to be judged in haste. Tightly coiled and focused, it takes some coaxing to tease out vibrant red cherry and plum fruits from a subtly gamey core. Tannins are well structured for a promising future. Drink by: 2027." Tyson Stelzer, Halliday Wine Companion - 92 points
After the success of early sherries and fortified wines, founders Dr Christopher and Mary Penfold planted the vine cuttings they had carried on their voyage over to Australia. In 1844 the fledging vineyard was officially established as the Penfolds wine company at Magill Estate.
As the company grew, so too did Dr Penfold's medical reputation, leaving much of the running of the winery to Mary Penfold. Early forays into Clarets and Rieslings proved increasingly popular, and on Christopher's death in 1870, Mary assumed total responsibility for the winery. Mary's reign at the helm of Penfolds saw years of determination and endeavour.
By the time Mary Penfold retired in 1884 (ceding management to her daughter, Georgina) Penfolds was producing 1/3 of all South Australia's wine. She'd set an agenda that continues today, experimenting with new methods in wine production. By Mary's death in 1896, the Penfolds legacy was well on its way to fruition. By 1907, Penfolds had become South Australia's largest winery.
In 1948, history was made again as Max Schubert became the company's first Chief Winemaker. A loyal company man and true innovator, Schubert would propel Penfolds onto the global stage with his experimentation of long-lasting wines - the creation of Penfolds Grange in the 1950s.
In 1959 (while Schubert was perfecting his Grange experiment in secret), the tradition of ‘bin wines' began. The first, a Shiraz wine with the grapes of the company's own Barossa Valley vineyards was simply named after the storage area of the cellars where it is aged. And so Kalimna Bin 28 becomes the first official Penfolds Bin number wine.
In 1960, the Penfolds board instructed Max Schubert to officially re-start production on Grange. His determination and the quality of the aged wine had won them over.
Soon, the medals began flowing and Grange quickly became one of the most revered wines around the world. In 1988 Schubert was named Decanter Magazine's Man of the Year, and on the 50th anniversary of its birth, Penfolds Grange was given a heritage listing in South Australia.
Despite great success, Penfolds never rests on its laurels. In 2012 Penfolds released its most innovative project to date - 12 handcrafted ampoules of the rare 2004 Kalimna Block Cabernet Sauvignon.
Two years later, Penfolds celebrated the 170th anniversary – having just picked up a perfect score of 100 for the 2008 Grange in two of the world's most influential wine magazines. Today, Penfolds continues to hold dear the philosophies and legends – '1844 to evermore!'.
South Australia
South Australian is responsible for more than half the production of all Australian wine. It is home to more than 900 wineries across 18 wine regions. The regions are Adelaide Hills, Adelaide Plains, Barossa Valley, Clare Valley, Coonawarra, Currency Creek, Eden Valley, Kangaroo Island, Langhorne Creek, McLaren Vale, Mount Benson, Mount Gambier, Padthaway, Riverland, Robe, Southern Fleurieu, Southern Flinders Ranges and Wrattonbully.
Many of the well-known names in the South Australian wine industry established their first vineyards in the late 1830s and early 1840s. The first vines in McLaren Vale were planted at Reynella in 1839 and Penfold's established Magill Estate on the outskirts of Adelaide in 1844.
South Australia has a vast diversity in geography and climate which allows the State to be able to produce a range of grape varieties - from cool climate Riesling in the Clare and Eden Vallies to the big, full bodied Shiraz wines of the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale. Two of Australia's best-known wines, Penfolds Grange and Henschke Hill of Grace, are produced here. There is much to discover in South Australia for the wine lover.