Penfolds Bin 28 Kalimna Shiraz 2001

Penfolds Bin 28 Kalimna Shiraz is the archetypal warm climate Australian shiraz - ripe, robust and generously flavoured. First made in 1959, Bin 28 is named after the famous Barossa Valley Kalimna vineyard purchased by Penfolds in 1945 and from which the wine was originally sourced. Today, Kalimna Bin 28 is a multi-region, multi-vineyard blend, with the Barossa Valley always well represented.

"Nicely flavoured and weighted palate, with balance and length. Has a good future."  Huon Hooke

The 2001 Bin 28 Kalimna was sourced from vineyards in the  Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Robe, Coonawarra, Clare Valley and Adelaide Hills. The wine was matured for 12 months in used American oak hogsheads.

"Deep dark crimson with an imposing purple core. Nose: An amalgam of mulberry and liquorice with fig, cold meats and white chocolate all adding to the wine's overall complexity, even in youth. A generous Shiraz fruit lift, with evocative Christmas cake spices, dried fruits and barely perceptible oak beneath. Palate: An expansive continuum of seductively complex flavours, alluringly wrapped around a firm, but rounded, ripe, tannic structure. Dark berry and cherry fruits with liquorice and cocoa notes are evident throughout, with a wonderfully balanced and softly round."  Peter Gago, Penfold's Chief Winemaker

"Vintage Conditions: Good winter and spring rains ensured soil moisture levels started the season off well and led to a very good early growing season. Growth was vigorous and flowering was successful despite exceptional heat in January. Shiraz thrived in such conditions, delivering excellent fruit with great intensity of flavour across the classic regions of South Australia."  Penfolds

Expert reviews

"Very attractive supple red with masses of rich plum and berryfruit flavours. Rich and warming wine with great mouthfeel and length."  Bob Campbell MW, The Real Review - 95 points

"Raw nutty and nutmeg-spice aromas; some dried banana. Nicely flavoured and weighted palate, with balance and length. Has a good future. Drink now to 12+ years."  Huon Hooke, The Real Review - 91 points  (Tasted Sep 2007)

About the winery

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!'.