Penfolds Bin 620 Magnum tasting

Sheraton, Hong Kong
Tasted Thursday, February 16, 2012 by DonalOB with 885 views

Introduction

A tasting organised by Watsons, a local wine retailer, of the very rare Bin 620 made in 2008 and just released (last made in 1966). Introduced by Peter Dixon of Penfolds and drunk from magnum. The wines were double-decanted 4.5 hours before - actually they needed much longer.

Flight 1 (4 Notes)

  • 2001 Penfolds Shiraz RWT 93 Points

    Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley

    The opening wine of the tasting. Beautiful ruby colour with very small pale rim. Nose of black fruits with some oak evident. Rich cassis and tar, even some floral notes emerge.
    Good balanced acidity with the fine tannins. The finish was 30+ seconds. This is now drinking well.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 2008 Penfolds Shiraz RWT 94 Points

    Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley

    This is a better year than the 2001 with which it was accompanied - very hot but picked early by Penfolds, as is their custom. Obviously, it has not had time yet to settle down.
    Same ruby as before but not as open on the nose. Opened a little with air and time in the glass - sweet spice and lush fruit. Plenty of oak still evident (cooked in 80% new French oak).

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 2006 Penfolds Grange 98 Points

    Australia, South Australia

    Actually, this and not the Bin 620 was my WOTN.
    Big rich nose dominated by black fruits with only a hint of oak. Menthol, Eucalyptus and Soy. Glycerol on the palate; smooth with bracing acidity. This was already drinkable - obviously a crime, I suppose we're meant to wait another 15 years. Tannins are still quite dominant, albeit balanced by the big fruit. This developed a port-like nose when left in the glass.
    I was happy.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 2008 Penfolds Bin 620 Cabernet Shiraz 98 Points

    Australia, South Eastern

    This was the big one - only just released (last released in 1966 when the vintage and fruit was very similar). The Coonawarra 2008 vintage was supposed to be spectacular for everyone.
    Drunk from magnum.
    Bright ruby with a beautiful nose of cherry, cedar, licorice and soy. Beautiful mouth-feel and balance - unctuous.
    More red fruits, even raspberry, emerged with time.
    Obviously, like the Grange, this needs to be left for a decade or three. Not much of this around and not cheap.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

Closing

Not a big crowd at the tasting so plenty of top-ups :-) Happy evening.

×
×