External search
Google (images)
Wine Advocate
Wine Spectator
Burghound
Wine-Searcher
Vintages
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
Show more
From this producer
Show all wines
All tasting notes
|
| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 89 pts. and median of 89 pts. in 96 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by Stray Cat on 6/29/2022 & rated 92 points: It was a back to the future wine. I reckon the first dozen I ever bought was Bin 128 in the 80’s at $4 a bottle. Back then it had a cheap and cheerful reputation and this influenced my decisions to avoid it for decades especially as its price spiralled. I have to say we really enjoyed this wine tonight. (1057 views) | | | Tasted by empire80 on 10/7/2021 & rated 92 points: This is in a great place right now, rich and liquorice, hint of coffee, gentle vanilla from the oak, lovely long finish. (1578 views) | | | Tasted by pvr1 on 5/22/2021 & rated 92 points: Decanted for a few hours, very elegant and easy drinking, fruity on the nose, minimal acid, medium finish, some oak, very well balanced and went down brilliantly with cheese and crackers. (1746 views) | | | Tasted by yasha on 3/3/2021 & rated 91 points: this wine really good, very an expected (1839 views) | | | Tasted by jpr1 on 12/26/2018: All corked...4 bottles opened tonight.....Horribly disappoined in a wine I really love - should have been ok till 2018, but I opened 4 bottles and tossed them all....uugh...shoudl have drunk them 2-3 years ago.... (2836 views) | | | Tasted by Macdhugh on 7/27/2018 & rated 70 points: Ok, not too big, no need to continue to hold (2375 views) | | | Tasted by thebatcavewines on 12/1/2017 & rated 88 points: This wine has held up pretty well. I would say it would have been at it's peak about 2-3 years ago. It was still very good but time has dropped it's presence. (2499 views) | | | Tasted by Avid Wino on 9/29/2017 & rated 90 points: Cracked open my final bottle of this on my 2006 vintage son's birthday. Plums, jubey dark fruits, black pepper, coffee grounds, wallet leather, milk chocolate. Tannins like licking felt, sort of, and I mean that in a good way, I like 'em. Enough length. Not setting off the same fireworks for me tonight as when I wrote the note on last year's bottle, but that's likely me as much as the wine. Will drink well for another few years. (2882 views) | | | Tasted by Avid Wino on 10/9/2016 & rated 92 points: Cracked screw cap and poured. No need for a decant now, delightful immediately through to my last glass 4 hours later. Jubey fruits on the nose, as per my earlier tasting notes, but maturity has arrived since I last tried 4 years ago. Assorted berries, plums, meat juices, leather, bramble. A black core. Fine grainy tannin. Could be at its best now though should go another 5 years. Only a little sediment. One bottle to go for me, penciled in for drinking in a year's time. Pushing 93 this bottle. The Rewards Of Patience, indeed. (4340 views) | | | Tasted by empire80 on 10/1/2016 & rated 91 points: A great vintage of 128. Quite mature nose and tawny colour, mature now but will hold a good few years. (3432 views) | | | Tasted by rednick@internode.on.net on 12/24/2015: Nose quite earthy, some resin - then onto super fine powdery tannins, bramble, blackberry, some leather and earth, fruit is still big but very much showing secondary characters and a wonderful length born by the acid that only shows itself right at the end leaving you ready for the next drink - thoroughly enjoyable and close to peak but certainly no rush 3.5 fingers (4058 views) | | | Tasted by pkbowen on 10/30/2015 & rated 91 points: Tasted as part of a 2006, '07, and '08 Penfolds Bin 128 vertical. All bottles retailed for $20, and were opened 90 minutes before serving.
The '06 presented with a dark plum colored core, and a wide, complex rim that faded from plum to brick-red to clear. The nose had a core aroma of fresh and stewed blueberries. Secondary and tertiary overtones were also present; the former comprised spicy oak with vanilla accents, and the latter expressed itself as flowerbed and rich earth. On the palate, the fine, firm tannins were present on entry, as well as fresh blueberries and oak spice. Oak and spices intensified on the midpalate. The finish transitioned to a medicinal dark fruit and was exceptionally long. Structure was balanced, originating from medium(-) acid and medium(+), fine tannins.
This was our favorite part of the vertical, and is drinking at peak; the quality of the fruit, winemaking choices, and tertiary notes from bottle age are all apparent. "Excellent," 91/100. (4255 views) | | | Tasted by thebatcavewines on 5/24/2015 & rated 89 points: Very nice. Quite strong tannins with a bite. Nice blackberry overtones. (4152 views) | | | Tasted by Brettski80 on 1/10/2015 & rated 92 points: Herbaceous Tea notes on the nose, age starting to take precedent to the fruit, yet still black fruits, spice and plenty of black pepper at the front. The tannins grippy and this vintage will live at least another 5 years, probably more. (2977 views) | | | Tasted by rednick@internode.on.net on 10/11/2014: Didn't decant which was a mistake as initially very alcohol driven. With some air really built some weight and bramble like characters - spice and acid around the edges - good length and some heat still there but would be happy to give this longer - 3 Fingers (2972 views) | | | Tasted by Rouge67 on 7/5/2014 & rated 88 points: Great full bodied and close to a Bin 389! Exceptional value for money! (2548 views) | | | Tasted by dzitt on 5/10/2013 & rated 87 points: Foncé presque noir, le vin était muet pour plus d’une heure. Ensuite, fruits noirs (mûres), poivre, légère fumée. J’ai bien aimé le vin à ce moment, mais il a rapidement tombé et est devenu austère et carré. Trop jeune ? (3983 views) | | | Tasted by rpk99 on 11/29/2012 & rated 86 points: a nice wine, good fruit, but not a lot of dazzling qualities. (4441 views) | | | Tasted by Avid Wino on 4/10/2012 & rated 91 points: I wasn't impressed with another bottle of this that I drank last month, but the 1996 Bin 389 I enjoyed on the weekend reminded me that these Penfolds from good vintages need either a couple of decades in the cellar, or a lot of air, and preferably both. So I decanted this bottle almost 24 hours, and it is showing very nicely. Some jubiness, but mostly blackberry, cherry, pepper, and spices. Good balance and good length. (5280 views) | | | Tasted by Avid Wino on 3/18/2012 & rated 89 points: Jubey and angular. Some sips I thought "yum", some I thought "this is too much". Oscillated between a 92 pointer and an 85 pointer. Drank final 1/4 of bottle after two nights in fridge, had settled down, though perhaps too much acid. Had minor cold the whole time which didn't help me form a more precise impression. (5003 views) | | | Tasted by bentleysdad on 1/23/2012: Liked (4993 views) | | | Tasted by nick811 on 11/12/2011 & rated 89 points: Dark color with elegant nice nose. Typical new world wine. Medium body with ok last. Not much shiraz spice (4404 views) | | | Tasted by danielbleier on 7/5/2011 & rated 89 points: consistent with prior notes (4320 views) | | | Tasted by danielbleier on 2/2/2011 & rated 89 points: after 2 hot pnp bottles, I let thiis one breathe for 4 hours and it finally calmed down. Candied nose of cherry and syrup. Still plenty of tannin to fight, but blackberry, red plum and pepper prevail. (5153 views) | | | Tasted by salil on 1/11/2011 & rated 81 points: This has ripe fruit, spice, well integrated oak and decent structure that all come together in a well made, balanced package - but the whole is completely dull, tasting quite generic while inoffensive. Boring. (5582 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of WineAlign and Vinous and The World of Fine Wine and The WINEFRONT and Halliday Wine Companion. (manage subscription channels) |
| Penfolds Producer website
Producer Cellar Door - Barossa (Google Maps)
About Us
Australia's winemaking history of less than two hundred years is brief by European measures though, like Europe, punctuated by periods of extreme success and difficult times. From the earliest winemaking days Penfolds has figured prominently and few would argue the importance of Penfolds’ influence on Australia’s winemaking psyche.
Without the influence of Penfolds the modern Australian wine industry would look very different indeed. Sitting comfortably outside of fad and fashion, Penfolds has taken Australian wine to the world on a grand stage and forged a reputation for quality that is without peer.
Penfolds’ reputation for making wines of provenance and cellaring potential might suggest a mantle of tradition and formality is the preferred attire of a company with so much history to defend. But to label Penfolds as simply an established and conventional winemaker, would be to confuse tradition with consideration and to overlook the innovative spirit that has driven Penfolds since its foundation, and continues to find expression in modern times.
If there is anything traditional about Penfolds, it is the practice of constantly reviewing the wines it already does well, and continuously evolving and refining styles as vineyards mature and access to ever older and more varied vineyard sites improves.
Making The Best Possible Wine
At Penfolds, the role of the winemaker is to make the best possible wine within the constraints of each vintage. Penfolds’ house style emerged from a fortified-wine producing culture and evolved as a winemaking philosophy – a way of making wine – which has had a profound effect on the entire Australian wine industry.
The concept of multi-regional and vineyard blending, a feature of the Penfolds house style, is an amplification of the ‘all-round wine’. Without the constraints of a single vineyard, winemakers could choose the best possible fruit with the outstanding characteristics of each vineyard.
While American oak has played a central role in the development of Penfolds red wines, French oak has been increasingly used in the evolution of new wines – particularly RWT and Yattarna. Maturation in oak, which follows fermentation, is also key to the Penfolds house style.
The Penfolds approach to winemaking has percolated through the entire Australian wine industry over the last 50 years. The techniques employed in research and development of Penfolds wines are remarkable and many of the discoveries and innovations have had a lasting impact on winemaking thinking.
Winemakers
In Max Schubert, Don Ditter, John Duval and Peter Gago, Penfolds has nurtured four of Australia's great winemakers. They have passed the Chief Winemaker’s baton of responsibility for crafting some of Australia's most iconic wines, down through the past six decades.
Joining Peter Gago in the Penfolds winemaking team are Senior Red Winemaker Steve Lienert, Senior White Winemaker Kym Schroeter, and Red Winemakers Andrew Baldwin, Adam Clay, Stephanie Dutton and Matt Woo - also the Penfolds Fortified Winemaker. All members of the Penfolds winemaking team ensure that Penfolds’ reputation for outstanding quality is upheld.
Vineyards
Barossa Valley
Penfolds draws fruit from a combined vineyard area of 618 hectares in the Barossa region of South Australia. The Barossa is about 70 kilometres north of Adelaide and in 1911 Penfolds established a winery at Nuriootpa, completed in time for the 1913 vintage. The Barossa region is known for its relatively low rainfall with many vineyards dry grown on single wire trellising.
Magill Estate
The historic and heritage-protected Magill Estate Vineyard was established in 1844 by Dr Christopher Rawson and Mary Penfold—just eight years after the foundation of Adelaide. It was originally known as the Grange Vineyard, named after their new homestead ‘The Grange’, a cottage which still stands intact amongst the vines.
Eden Valley
Joseph Gilbert planted the first vines in the Eden Valley in 1842 and since that time the region has become synonymous with producing elegant riesling and complex shiraz. While its name suggests a concave nature, Eden Valley is actually a wide ridge, situated east of the Barossa Valley with an altitude ranging from 440 – 550 metres.
McLaren Vale
McLaren Vale is located approximately 40km to the south of Adelaide, with the vineyards in the region located between 6 and 15 kilometres from the Gulf of St Vincent. The elevation ranges from 50 to 350 metres above sea level. Penfolds has company owned vineyards throughout the region, using the fruit as blending components for premium red wines such as Grange and Bin 389.
Coonawarra
Penfolds has had a long history with the Coonawarra region, dating back to their first vineyard purchase in 1960. It is one of the most famous red wine regions in Australia with weathered limestone terra rossa soils, relatively cool climate and overall water availability. Coonawarra has played a significant role in many of Penfolds' multi-regional wines as well as the single region wines such as Bin 128.
James Halliday Australian Wine Companion Winery Of The Year 2014: Penfolds
Penfolds is Australia’s foremost winemaker, with an unbroken line dating back to its establishment in 1844 when medical practitioner Dr Christopher Rawson Penfold and wife Mary purchased ‘the delightfully situated and truly valuable of Mackgill … Comprising 500 acres (202 hectares) of the choicest land’. Here they built the house that still stands today, and within a few years had begun the winery and cellar on the site of today’s buildings at Magill Estate.
Mary took charge of winemaking, initially producing grenache prescribed by her husband as a tonic for anaemic patients. By 1870 she, son-in-law Thomas Hyland and cellar manager/winemaker Joseph Gillard had formed Penfolds & Co. With markets in South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales, their wine production was over one-third of South Australia’s total.
Growth continued unabated, and in 1945 Penfolds acquired the jewel of the Magill Vineyard, at that time the largest vineyard in South Australia. It now has 2100 hectares of vineyards, the largest share of Australia’s total. Two men came together in the 1950s to lay the foundation of Penfolds today: winemaker Max Schubert, and research chemist Ray Beckwith (who died shortly after his 100th birthday in 2012); indeed, their contribution transcended Penfolds to the entire Australian wine industry.
The architecture for the Penfolds wine portfolio of the twenty-first century was established in the 1960s, half a century ago. There has been growth, both in the range of labels and their price points, but it has been cleverly – indeed sensitively – managed; demand-driven growth has been achieved without any quality compromise whatsoever.
There is no possibility that the pre-eminence of Penfolds will ever be challenged by any other Australian wine business. Equally certain is that the Penfolds brand value will continue to gain ground on the world stage of all consumable products. If proof be needed, the overall quality of the wines in this Wine Companion is the best Penfolds has ever presented to the markets of the globe.
Author: James Halliday Jul 2013Shiraz Varietal article (Wikipedia) | Varietal character (Appellation America)Australia Wine Australia (Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation) | Australian Wines (Wikipedia)South Australia South Australian Wine Industry Association | South Australian Wines (Wikipedia)Limestone Coast Limestone CoastCoonawarra Coonawarra |
|
