Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 1998 (1500ml)
Style: Red Wine
Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon (58%), Shiraz (42%)
Closure: Cork
Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 1998 (1500ml)
Camberwell
Burke Road
Camberwell VIC 3124
Australia
Producer: Penfolds
Country: Australia
Region: Multi Regional SA
Vintage: 1998
Critic Score: 97 and ★★★★★
Alcohol: 14.5%
Size: 1500 ml
Drink by: 2045
Penfolds Bin 389 is often referred to as 'Baby Grange', in part because components of the wine are matured in the same barrels that held the previous vintage of Grange. First made in 1960 by the legendary Max Schubert, this was the wine that helped forge Penfolds reputation with red wine drinkers by combining the structure of cabernet sauvignon with the richness of shiraz. It is named after its original binning compartment at Magill cellars.
"An explosive bouquet of mocha, dark fruits, toasty oak, smoked-oysters and raisin bread. Chocolate and espresso coffee. A typical Penfolds red but of a very high order, and this bottle is in immaculate condition. At 23 years it looks to have at least another 10 to 15 years in it. A remarkable, outstanding wine." Huon Hooke
The 1998 Bin 389 is a blend of 58% cabernet sauvignon and 42% shiraz from premium vineyards in Padthaway (30%), Bordertown (25%), McLaren Vale (20%), Barossa Valley (19%) and a small component from Clare. The wine was matured for 14 months in new (22%) and seasoned American oak barrels.
"Deep red. Intense inky, liquorice, plummy, roasted meat, chocolaty aromas with hints of menthol, briar. A remarkably concentrated, richly flavoured wine with deep-set roasted, plummy, mocha fruit, underlying malty oak and plentiful ripe, chocolaty tannins. Some complex leathery, demi-glace notes beginning to appear. This is still very youthful and elemental for its age. It's drinking well, but the best is yet to come. Outstanding vintage. Peak drinking to 2035.
Vintage Conditions: 1998 was an outstanding vintage. Winter rainfalls had been below average in most districts and replenishing rains brought vines back to balance in the spring. A dry, hot summer brought an early harvest in most regions." Penfolds
Expert reviews
"Deep, youthful, bright colour. An explosive bouquet of mocha, dark fruits, toasty oak, smoked-oysters and raisin bread. Chocolate and espresso coffee. A typical Penfolds red but of a very high order, and this bottle is in immaculate condition. At 23 years it looks to have at least another 10 to 15 years in it. A remarkable, outstanding wine. Drink 2021-2031." Huon Hooke, The Real Review - 97 points (Tasted Apr 2021)
"An excellent 389 with length, concentration and polish, especially with respect to the almost sour-edged blueberry notes of its spicy plum/cassis fruit, its integration of smoky, chocolatey American oak and fine, but drying astringency. It borders on the minty and touches on varnishy, but presents a complete package for drinking now or extended cellaring. Drink 2010-2018+." Jeremy Oliver - 96 points
"This review is from a vertical tasting of Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz for the Penfolds Rewards of Patience. It's an independent review. Beautiful filigreed tannin. Lots of plummy, minty, curranty flavour. Oak has sunk right down into the wine. Outstanding quality here. Gentle wafts of leather, even game, but in the nicest possible way. Drink: 2012-2025." Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front - 95 points (Tasted May 2009)
"Full red-purple; dense, dark berry, dark chocolate, and savoury/spicy aromas are a backdrop for a palate full of cassis, blackberry and chocolate supported by a great depth of ripe tannins. Needs a decade to really start strutting its stuff, but will undoubtedly do so. Drink Now - 2020." James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion - 94 points
"A great 389! The nose is somewhat 'quiet' at present: undeveloped, with coconut/toasty American oak and rich fruit aromas. It's full bodied, chewy and tannic, and needs time. There's tremendous concentration and fleshy density, in typical savoury Penfolds house style, and the whole thing has an endless finish. Cellar it, then serve with hard cheeses." 2001/2002 Penguin Good Australian Wine Guide ★★★★★
The story of bin 389
Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz, often known as 'Baby Grange', is named after its original binning compartment at Magill cellars. First produced in 1960, its history is connected with the development of Grange and Max Schubert's ambition to create what he called 'a dynasty of wines' for Penfolds.
Early Bin 389 vintages were made with fruit from around the Adelaide foothills, including Auldana and Magill. According to retired Penfolds Senior Winemaker John Bird, a small portion of Morphett Vale fruit, parcels not used for Grange and sometimes McLaren Vale fruit were also included in the blend during the 1960s. After Penfolds vineyards around Adelaide were extensively pulled out to make way for urban development during the mid-1970s, Barossa Valley, particularly the Kalimna Vineyard,
became a dominant source of fruit.
Since the mid-1990s Bin 389 has drawn fruit from around South Australia, including Barossa Valley, Coonawarra, Padthaway, McLaren Vale, Langhorne Creek, Wrattonbully, Clare Valley and Robe. Exacting specifications of ripeness, classic Penfolds winemaking and strict classification of wines after maturation have ensured the style has remained consistent since the beginning.
Bin 389 epitomises Penfolds winemaking philosophy and the benefits of cross-varietal and multi-regional blending. Max Schubert always favoured warmer-climate fruit as a source for the wine. By marrying the perfume and chocolaty tannins of ripe cabernet sauvignon with opulent and fleshy shiraz he could achieve extra aromatic complexity, volume and palate richness. The style has been refined over the last 60 years through meticulous fruit selection, the introduction of new technology and winemaking refinements. During the 1960s, use of refrigeration and stainless steel enabled winemakers to preserve freshness; new membrane presses during the 1970s allowed gentler extraction of flavours and tannins.
Vineyard management practices and a rigorous fruit-grading system have also contributed to higher quality fruit. Nonetheless, the overall winemaking practices have not changed: the classical heading down in open fermenters, partial barrel fermentation and maturation in new and seasoned American oak (much used previously for Penfolds Grange and Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon) remain key Penfolds techniques.
Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz remains one of Australia's most popular collectible red wines because of its consistency and long-term cellaring potential.
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!'.
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.