Penfolds Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 (Gift Box)

"Penfolds has enjoyed an incredible history with its starry Cabernet, with the first vintage of Bin 707 dating back to 1964! Of course, this wine sits in a class of its own, on account of its liberal dunking in spankingly aromatic American oak. While this recipe sometimes jars, particularly in young wines, it occasionally finds harmony within moments of being bottled. 2023 Bin 707 is simply magical with glorious refinement, not least the finish, which is as distinguished as can be! I have never felt this way about a two-year-old sample of this commanding Cabernet before. The balance is head-scratchingly unexpected, yet tremendous. An entire Turkish bazaar of spices invades the senses, while moments of pristine, herbaceous eucalyptus and mint cut through the exoticism, bringing a genuine sense of McLaren Vale’s ozone-misted flora. I mention McLaren Vale because this wine is formulated from over two-thirds of fruit from this idyllic region, and perhaps this is another reason why it is an outlier from the monolithic leviathans that populate Bin 707’s back catalogue. In 2023, this American-oaked wine sits alongside refined Bordeaux and haughty Super-Tuscans, with the fragrant oak adding an intriguing twist. "  Matthew Jukes - 19+/20 points

"This release is a monumental wine. Impressive, exhibiting such length and exuberance. The highlight is a sweet core of dark cherry/chocolate. The colour is an opaque maroon while the nose opens with plums, chocolate (which never really abandons us), spices, bergamot, plenty of oak deftly handled, cassis, licorice, spices, nutmeg, cold tea, smoked meats, graphite and black cherries. Time in the glass saw the cassis/dark cherries/kirsch notes emerge more and more. There is refinement here, though it quickly morphs into a hedonistic energy, balance and focus, with fresh acidity running the length. This will easily sail through the next twenty to thirty years."  Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot - 98 points

"Deep, dark colour; powerful cabernet nose, with more black fruits including cassis, blackberry and less obvious oak than we are used to with 707. Just a little mocha in the background. A massive wine, big and brawny, with masses of drying tannins which grip and coat the mouth but leave no astringency or harshness. Packed with flavour: a very impressive cabernet, a modern Bin 707. (McLaren Vale, Padthaway, Barossa Valley). Drink 2028–2050."  Huon Hooke, The Real Review - 97 points

"There's no doubting the pedigree of the Bin 707. First released in 1964, it is one of Australia's finest cabernets, and the '23 release is a continuation of its stellar bloodline. Deep crimson with aromas of macerated blackberry, black cherry, blackcurrant, cassis and doris plum fruits with hints of cinnamon, nutmeg, blackforest cake and dried herbs. Notes of distant bramble, cedar, licorice and earth. For all its depth and latent power, I like the clarity and detail in this release. The fruit is on-point, pure. The fine-grained tannins, showing heft initially, slowly recess into the fruit, resulting in a wine of elegance, grace and sleekness of shape. One for the cellar – if you can keep your hands off it. Drink by 2050."  Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion - 97 points

"A young and characteristic expression of cabernet bursting with crushed violets, freshly squeezed cassis, pencil shave, spearmint, and extra dark chocolate, coconut husk, all playing their keynotes in unison, like expert fingers on the piano. On one side, there is a level of exotic and floral allure, with notes of incense, essential oils, and dried lavender; on the other, an Old World-like reminder of cooking herbs, garrigue, and rolled tobacco leaf. Yet unashamedly Australian all the way through. You can savour and touch each and every element on the palate, thanks to the continuity of fruit, the vibrancy, balance, presence and weight of the tannins. It will last decades while already showing a great deal."  Lisa Cardelli, Wine Pilot – 97 points

"This is such a refined and focused cabernet sauvignon, deeply perfumed and lifted, with aromas of blackcurrants, cedar, grilled meat, bitter chocolate, ink, dried flowers and dried herbs. The palate is full-bodied, silken, textural and tightly wound, with a creamy, chocolaty finish. An Australian classic of the highest order. Excellent. Drink or hold."  James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com - 97 points

"Following the stellar 2021 and 2022 in Coonawarra, there is in fact no Coonawarra cabernet that achieved the 707 standard in 2023 (and no Bin 169 released), with McLaren Vale, Padthaway and the Barossa Valley stepping forward. The blend is instead led by McLaren Vale, where a wet spring, warm and dry summer and cool harvest contrasted a challenging, wet and stormy season in the Barossa. The result is a Bin 707 of characteristic power and muscle, set to a quintessential Penfolds tannin frame and strong American oak support. A core of classic blackcurrant fruit definition is accented with cedar and tobacco leaf and energised by vibrant acid focus and a spectacular cascade of powerful tannins that will hold it sure for half a century. Drink: 2053-2073."  Tyson Stelzer - 97 points

"This is probably the most distinctive of any Penfolds wine. It’s matured in 100% new American oak, so that’s the first thing. Unique in Australia. It’s sourced from McLaren Vale, Padthaway and the Barossa. In most years the American oak would pop out noticeably, and yet here is a wine that still reveals the fruit with the oak slightly underplayed, if you can imagine that. Shows a spicy, cinnamon, creamy tart and lifted glazed cherry nuance. The palate is still tightly structured and controlled by those fine, firm tannins and that sinewy oak. The oak hits in the final stages of the palate."  Ray Jordan - 97 points

"Still quite toasty; we have notes of chocolate, cassis, smoked meats, licorice, cloves, chocolate, soy, and a hint of baked bread. Rich and ripe, this is supple, with a fine line of acidity and firm, sleek tannins on the finish. It has a good couple of decades ahead of it. This is a really impressive wine for what might be termed a lesser vintage."  Andrew Caillard MW - 97 points

"There is one important and traditional – some might suggest, essential – voice missing in the 2023 Bin 707 and that is Coonawarra. It was a challenging vintage across South Australia, but in Coonawarra disease pressures were high and fruit quality was considered not up to par. What we see here is the contribution of McLaren Vale, Padthaway and the Barossa Valley. The usual 18 months in 100% new American hogsheads applies.  Deep, impenetrable crimson hues. Macerated dark plum, blackberry aromas with layers of baking spices and crushed herbs, dark chocolate, earth, leather and boot polish. A celebration of Penfolds  new oak mastery, it is also a celebration of Cabernet power, albeit minus some of the classic elemental qualities of Coonawarra.  Trademark fruit concentration is there elevated by attractive peppermint, sage and spice providing the aromatic lift and nicely balanced by light charcuterie savoury notes. Drink: 2025-2048."  Jeni Port, Wine Pilot – 96 points

"Bin 707 is commonly a blend of regions but I always, rightly or wrongly, associate it with Coonawarra. There are no Coonawarra grapes in this release. Overt vanilla into raspberry, red licorice, blackcurrant, raw cedar and olive tapenade, with mint and earth notes for afters. Flavour-wise this is still coming together but the structure is excellent and the finish is long. I’m surprised at how raw this feels but the finish is dramatically well prosecuted. When you put a + on the end of a wine score it usually means that it might move a point; this could move a few. Bin 707 is always a pup on release but this release is embryonic. Drink: 2032 - 2050+."  Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front - 95+ points 

"Having had the privilege of tasting many vintages of this wine back to 1964, this is, given time, a superb wine. The inclusion of American oak helps to protect the fruit sweetness over time—I don't know the science of that, however it holds true anecdotally. Here, through the prism of the 2023 vintage, the wine is fresh and yet ripe, and the cool season has taken some of the weight from the bottom register. It was sourced from McLaren Vale, Padthaway and Barossa Valley and matured for 18 months in American oak hogsheads. 14.5% alcohol, sealed under natural cork. Drink: 2025-2043."  Erin Larkin, Wine Advocate - 95 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!'.