Penfolds Bin 150 Marananga Shiraz 2020

Bin 150 is a relative newcomer to the Penfolds stable, first produced in the 2008 vintage. The wine is sourced entirely from the highly regarded Marananga sub-region of the Barossa, where the ancient soils of Marananga provide the backbone to some of the region's best-known wines. The wine typically displays the sub-regional characteristics of saturated colours, dark fruit profile and ripe tannins, which are enhanced by the Penfolds method of vinification and the use of hogsheads and puncheons. 

"Classical inky, blackberry, dark plum, dark chocolate flavours, vigorous fine graphite/al dente tannins, superb roasted chestnut/vanilla oak complexity and underlying persistent acidity. Superb density, richness and claret-like torque. A brilliant year for Bin 150."  Andrew Caillard MW

The 2020 Bin 150 was matured for 12 months in American (24% new) and French oak (23% new) hogsheads and puncheons.

"A defining Barossa shiraz, instantly recognisable for its sub-regional character and authoritative Penfolds stamp."  Nick Ryan, Penfolds Rewards of Patience tasting panel member.

"As we have come to anticipate, satsuma plums and boysenberries provide a varietal/regional signature. Grippy, ripe and rich tannins anchor a tightly structured frame. Freshly sawn oak. Rye sourdough crust – still hot out of the oven. Toasted pumpkin seeds on grilled haloumi. Sarsaparilla, black cardamom pods and ethereal nutmeg spice. Peak drinking 2025 to 2040.

Vintage Conditions: Marananga experienced the second consecutive year of winter drought. Soil moisture levels were well below average leading into the growing season. Spring was cool and dry, driven by below average minimum and maximum temperatures. The trend of cool and dry weather continued well into November delaying flowering and fruit-set. The 2019 calendar year was the driest on record for the Nuriootpa weather station. Summer was typically hot, the Barossa Valley recorded 26 days over 35°C. Conditions in January and February provided some relief. Average February maximum temperatures were 3°C below average. This, combined with a welcome downpour of rain on 1 February, allowed the grapes to slowly reach full ripeness. The unique soils and aspect of Marananga, along with managed irrigation, ensured the region was able to meet the climate challenge and produce a small crop of high-quality shiraz."  Penfolds

Expert reviews

"Medium-deep crimson. Intense liquorice, dark chocolate, blackberry aromas with toasty vanilla notes. Classical inky, blackberry, dark plum, dark chocolate flavours, vigorous fine graphite/al dente tannins, superb roasted chestnut/vanilla oak complexity and underlying persistent acidity. Finishes cedar firm with a brambly tannin plume. Superb density, richness and claret-like torque. A brilliant year for Bin 150. Drink now to 2038."  Andrew Caillard MW, The Vintage Journal Penfolds Collection 2022 - 98 points

"While the broader Barossa Valley is a major provider in many Penfolds reds, here we focus in a bit tighter to a sub-district that arguably offers uniquely recognisable characters in its own right. Typically western Barossa, this is riddled with charcoal and blacksmithy notes, iron roofs, old sheds and tractors. Sounds a crazy way to express its initial smells but it does it every time. The fruit takes its time to find its way through all that nasal entertainment, and when it does it's all dark plum compote surrounded by oak notes (12 months in French and American barrels) with a side hustle of sarsaparilla leading the spice feels. Rich, robust and full of sub-regional bravado."  Tony Love, Wine Pilot - 95 points

"Back to the heart of the Barossa with a terrific Marananga shiraz. Does this sub-region, rich in ancient ironstone, ever produce anything other than stunning, idiosyncratic shiraz fruit? Doubt it. Real eye candy here, as usual, in vibrant inky purple hues. Has the scent of the land and the soil, of Aussie bush aromas – sweet florals, herbal woody notes and a splash of eucalyptus, spearmint – running across bright blue fruits and red berries. Shows a little less opulence on the palate than usual. Is it the role of both American and French oak, where usually it's American oak celebrated? The 2020 seems firmer, more precise. That's a good thing, especially for ageing. Tannin structure is in tune with the oak, aiding and abetting the depth of flavour on the middle palate, not to mention texture. And the role of chocolate, almost choc-mint, and lively spice is a great upbeat note to finish on."  Jeni Port, Wine Pilot – 95 points

"It's not the bruising behemoth that so often comes from this Barossa Valley sub-region, mainly because the acid line of this vintage is more pronounced, keeping the big blackberry and purple plum tones long, clean and nimble on the palate. A note of hoisin sauce heaviness licks the dark berries as the palate drives through to a dry finish that concludes with a dusting of spice among the tannins. Released at A$100/bottle."  David Sly, Decanter – 95 points

"The inimitable mood of Marananga contrasts the depth of glossy, ripe dark berry, black cherry and Satsuma plum fruit with all the impact of a firm, fine, intricate tannin undercarriage. American (24% new) and French (23% new) oak rally to lend strong support, making this a vintage for the cellar."  Tyson Stelzer - 95 points

"The 2020 Bin 150 is drawn from the Marananga sub region known for the impressive power and density of the local wines. While this label is generally opulent, the 2020 vintage has crafted a more elegant, refined and almost St Henri like expression that is measured but still delivers wonderful power and complexity. It offers up focused tarry, licorice, choc-berry fruits with picture perfect sweet oak sitting pretty. There is then fantastic underlying strength which delivers a powerful core of flavour and extraordinary length with firm tannins in strong support. It's muscular and brooding right now but will flesh out beautifully over the next decade or more."  Angus Hughson, Vinous - 94 points

"This is syrupy and soft, straightforward but seductive. Milk chocolate and blackberry, rich plum and resiny-vanilla. Tannin spreads out through the back half of the wine, importantly, necessarily, lest the fruits run away with the spoon. This is the bold, flavour-rich face of Penfolds, black fruit soaked in black fruit, oak sunk within. It's a full-on or V8 expression of Barossa shiraz but it's an excellent version of it. Drink : 2024 - 2034+."  Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front - 94 points

"Peter Gago has his own vineyard in the Marananga district of Barossa. He described this as relegated Grange material. 'All the Grange growers are centred round Marananga.' 12 months in American (24% new) and French oak (23% new) hogsheads and puncheons. TA 7.6 g/l, pH 3.64. French and US oak give a rather sophisticated, complex nose. Peppery dry finish after quite a bit of juicy blackberry fruit. Hint of liquorice too. Not yet ready but very promising. 14.5%."  Jancis Robinson MW – 17/20 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!'.