Penfolds Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 (Gift Box)

Vintage Conditions: The South-East growing districts of South Australia enjoyed above-average winter rainfall, while McLaren Vale and the Barossa Valley recorded well below-average. September temperatures were cool with little rainfall resulting in some isolated frost events. Summer was generally hot, with high temperatures delaying veraison. The Barossa Valley experienced 31 days of temperatures exceeding 35°C, while Coonawarra experienced 20 days of temperature greater than 35°C during the months December to March. Irrigation was crucial to keep vines in good health. The proximity of the Southern Ocean played an important role in moderating temperatures in Coonawarra and Padthaway, allowing for a high-quality harvest, albeit with smaller yields than average. Although yields were smaller, the quality was outstanding with cabernet sauvignon displaying excellent colours, firm tannin profiles and intense flavours."  Penfolds 

Expert reviews

"Even if you were tasting this wine blind, your first tasting note would have to be, WOW! The scent sets the scene beautifully. There is an inherent complexity here. And balance. Each individual component melding as one: aromatic florals, vanilla pod, red berries, fennel seed emerging across a line of lightly smoked charcuterie. In its youth, there's a cut and thrust of tannin (the cut, the former) and oak (the thrust, the latter) which puts a taut scaffolding in place for a long, long future. It combines McLaren Vale smoothness, Coonawarra black-hearted, tannic intensity with a Barossan sweet and savoury core and, while Padthaway also plays a small part, you have to say that the big three regions own this wine. Blackcurrant pastille, tapenade, smoky oak, red currant, forest floor, sage/mint and pliable tannins bend to the will of the whole. Bin 707 rarely looks so approachable, so young."  Jeni Port, Wine Pilot – 98 points

"The colour is a dark maroon/red. Opens with attractive aromatics. Some oak, but the fruit is more than a match for it. Flavours emerge and weave throughout – chocolate, dark berries, bergamot, cigar box, soy, black cherries, dried herbs and some tobacco leaf. There is a hint of capsicum as well. Seamless. There is power here but everything is in the ideal balance. Such a well crafted wine. Focus, power and really serious length. Very fine tannins. The finish sees some juicy fruit emerge with the oak. A compelling Cabernet and one with decades ahead of it. Dense fruit but the structure carries it so well that the wine appears light on its feet. A truly superb 707."  Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot - 98 points

"Deep crimson. Classic blackcurrant mulberry aromas with roasted chestnut, graphite notes. Ample, yet elemental and multi-layered with plentiful pure blackcurrant mulberry fruits, fine persistent grainy/ muscular tannins, superb mid-palate richness and underlying mocha roasted chestnut notes. Finishes brambly firm with plenty of cedarwood cassis notes. A sturdy Bin 707 with beautiful fruit definition and tannin vigour. Claret lovers rejoice! Seal; Cork, Drink 2028 – 2050."  Andrew Caillard MW - 97 points

"Such a bold statement of new American oak seems somehow old-fashioned in this day and age of Australian cabernet, and yet there is a comfortable assurance about the irrefutable Bin 707 model, promising that the woodwork will find its place with sufficient patience. The purity and precision of cassis and blackcurrant fruit on display is something to behold. In inimitable Bin 707 form, new American oak rises to the auspicious occasion, propelling and uplifting to mighty effect and monumental tannin impact. Fruit and oak sit apart for now, but each in their rightful place, and, as ever, promise great things indeed in a very long time to come. Line and length of the highest order confirm it will go the distance without the slightest doubt."  Tyson Stelzer, Halliday Wine Companion - 97 points

"Very deep red/purple colour which stains the glass. The bouquet is a riot of mocha, the melted dark chocolate and espresso coffee notes clearly identifiable, together with concentrated, super-ripe blackberry, blackcurrant and cassis cabernet identity which soars above the oak and other factors. Rum and raisin chocolate. Masses of softly drying tannins coat the tongue, but it's the richness of flavour that dominates all else. Tremendous length, broad and slightly chewy. It finishes with a huge crescendo. An amazing wine. Drink: 2023–2046."  Huon Hooke, The Real Review - 97 points

"I love a bold black grape, a wine of dusty plains. This is cabernet sauvignon writ large though of course it's also sweet and bold and dramatic. Bay leaves, dust, cedarwood, blackcurrant, mint and no doubt more. A big swerve of tannin brings the fruit along with it. How long have you got? This will kick on for just about ever. What a beauty, what a beast. Drink : 2026 - 2040+."  Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front - 96 points 

The story of bin 707

Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon, Penfolds first commercial release of a single cabernet-based wine, is linked to Max Schubert's dream of making a great Australian red wine that could last at least 20 years.

When Penfolds purchased the 1888-planted Kalimna Vineyard, including the prized Block 42 plantings of cabernet sauvignon, the varietal was still quite rare in Australia. Schubert had originally thought the Kalimna Vineyard might be a source for Grange, but early crops proved unreliable.

During the '50s and early '60s cabernet sauvignon was mostly used for blending, but Schubert's breakthrough with the varietal as a stand-alone wine came in 1964, at a time when Penfolds was expanding its red table wine portfolio. Early Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignons were typically open fermented under wax-lined header boards and matured in seasoned old oak (rather than new oak). While these early wines were well received by trade and media, a disappointing 1969 vintage led Penfolds to discontinue production until it could find reliable and consistent fruit.

Penfolds Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon returned with the 1976 vintage, primarily based on Coonawarra fruit with vital input from the Barossa Valley. Since then the winemaking blueprint for Bin 707 has been almost identical to Grange, including partial barrel fermentation and 18 months maturation in new American hogsheads. Within a few years of its relaunch, Bin 707 was considered by collectors as a benchmark Australian cabernet sauvignon.

Coonawarra and Barossa Valley, particularly the Kalimna and Koonunga Hill vineyards, have been at the heart of the Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon since the 1970s. Today, the cool-climate Robe, Padthaway and Wrattonbully vineyards in South-East South Australia are additional sources.

Winemaking is very similar to Grange, and as a consequence, the style relies on the riper spectrum of cabernet sauvignon flavours and tannins. In colder growing seasons, when it is difficult to reach optimum ripeness, the wine is not released. These strict selection principles ensure continuity of the Bin 707 style and quality across all released vintages.

Penfolds Rewards of Patience 2021 

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!'.