Penfolds Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon 1997 (1500ml)

Bin 707 is Penfolds cabernet sauvignon Grange equivalent. The style relies on the riper spectrum of cabernet sauvignon flavours and tannins, is matured in new American oak and expresses the Penfolds policy of multi-vineyard, multi-region fruit sourcing. Named by an ex-Qantas marketing man, Bin 707 was first vintaged in 1964. The wine was not made from 1970 to 1975 (when fruit was directed to other wines) nor in 1981, 1995, 2000, 2003, 2011 or 2017 (when fruit of the required style and quality was not available). Full bodied and with good cellaring potential, Bin 707 has a secure place among the ranks of Australia's finest cabernets.

"A wine which continues that high-toned, lusciously aromatic fruit of the '96, with some cedary oak. There is plenty of weight and stuffing to the palate, where cassis and vanilla intermingle, rounded off with lingering tannins."  James Halliday

"Arguably the best Penfolds red, consistently expressive of exemplary cabernet qualities, Bin 707 is sourced from several South Australian regions, principally the Barossa and Coonawarra. A benchmark cellaring wine, revived in the 1970s after Len Evans told Penfolds their decision to delete it some years earlier bordered on the insane."  Jeremy Oliver

The 1999 Penfolds Bin 707 is 100% cabernet sauvignon sourced from premium vineyards in South Australia. The wine was matured for 15 months in new American oak hogsheads.

"Cassis, roasted walnut and tobacco notes. Still quite oaky with firm chalky tannins. Not going to improve. Drink now to soon.

Vintage Conditions: The 1997 vintage enjoyed a cool summer that was followed by warm weather in late March and April. Winter rainfall had been excellent in most districts and good rains continued into September and past bud-burst."  Penfolds 

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!'.