Made from 100% Shiraz and aged in old oak, this wine is youthful purple in colour. At 13% it is more indicative of the Rhone than of the Barossa! The nose shows some age, with loss of primary fruit characters. The palate I still youthful – fruity, especially showing cherry, and well balanced. Very nice.
Tasted at the “Penfolds 1990 – Grange and Other Icons” session hosted by Peter Gago at the Decanter New World Fine Wine Encounter, Landmark Hotel, London on the 19th of May 2007.
1990 was the first year that Bin 407 was made. It comprises 97% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Shiraz and 1% Merlot which had 5 days of skin contact. Aged in French and American oak for 8 months the resulting wine is deep purple in colour. The nose shows blackcurrant, leather, smoke and a hint of rubber. The palate is well balanced, although still a little acidic, showing cigar box and minty characters. Good backbone!
Tasted at the “Penfolds 1990 – Grange and Other Icons” session hosted by Peter Gago at the Decanter New World Fine Wine Encounter, Landmark Hotel, London on the 19th of May 2007.
First made in 1960, there have now been 47 vintages of Bin 389. Always a blend, the 1990 was made from 63% Cabernet Sauvignon and 37% Shiraz aged for 18 months in American oak. Cherry and wood on the nose lead into a generous, fruity palate with spice, mocha and praline characters. Bone dry and well rounded.
Tasted at the “Penfolds 1990 – Grange and Other Icons” session hosted by Peter Gago at the Decanter New World Fine Wine Encounter, Landmark Hotel, London on the 19th of May 2007.
Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon this wine is aged for 18 months in New American oak. As the premium Cabernet Sauvignon, it is not released in “bad” years. Deep purple in colour the nose shows dark chocolate, cedar and oak characters. The palate is full and mouth-filling with mocha characters.
Tasted at the “Penfolds 1990 – Grange and Other Icons” session hosted by Peter Gago at the Decanter New World Fine Wine Encounter, Landmark Hotel, London on the 19th of May 2007.
The 1990 St Henri was made from 89% Shiraz and 11% Cabernet Sauvignon. As always, this wine was aged in 50 year old 1460 litre vats to give an “old-fashined” style Shiraz with no oak flavour or acid derived tannins. Deep purple in colour this wine is quite light and fruity – like good Burgundy it fills out substantially with bottle age. The palate is smooth and silky with characters of violet and slightly sweet red fruit. Some tannin from contact with skins and seeds, but overall a very subtle wine. Could still do with more time.
Tasted at the “Penfolds 1990 – Grange and Other Icons” session hosted by Peter Gago at the Decanter New World Fine Wine Encounter, Landmark Hotel, London on the 19th of May 2007.
Australia, South Australia, Limestone Coast, Coonawarra
Only made three times in 50 years, this is similar to the Bin 389 but only made in exceptional vintages. As with Bin 389 the Bin 920 is aged for 18 months in American oak, but in this case it’s 100% new. The deep purple colour shows this wine is still too young! Compared to Bin 389, this wine is more integrated. Compared to Bi 707, it displays more ripe tannin.
Tasted at the “Penfolds 1990 – Grange and Other Icons” session hosted by Peter Gago at the Decanter New World Fine Wine Encounter, Landmark Hotel, London on the 19th of May 2007.
Made from Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon and Barossa Shiraz this is a special “one-off” Bin wine from an exceptional vintage. The Bin name of this wine comes from the year it was made, so in 1990, it became 90A. Aged in 100% new American oak for 20 months this wine is actually quite approachable – certainly more so that the 1990 Bin 920. The nose is a little sweet, showing fruit and oak characters – although nothing stands out. The palate is subtle and smooth with great integration of fruit and wood.
Tasted at the “Penfolds 1990 – Grange and Other Icons” session hosted by Peter Gago at the Decanter New World Fine Wine Encounter, Landmark Hotel, London on the 19th of May 2007.
Made from 95% Shiraz and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon this Grange was aged in 100% new American oak for 18 months to create a concentrated and powerful wine. Deep purple in colour, this wine has not yet started to open up and soften. The nose shows varietal fruit and oak characters whilst the palate displays blueberry, wood. youthful tannins and good balance.
Tasted at the “Penfolds 1990 – Grange and Other Icons” session hosted by Peter Gago at the Decanter New World Fine Wine Encounter, Landmark Hotel, London on the 19th of May 2007
Released on the 1st of May, just a couple of weeks before the tasting, this wine was substituted for the 1990 Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon which has gone missing in transit.
Made from 99% Shiraz and 1% Cabernet sourced from the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale, this Grange was aged in 100% new American oak for 15 months. Still fairly impenetrable this Grange is showing early signs of being deep, dark, dense, but well integrated. The nose displays primary fruit and wood. The palate shows balance and poise with violets and a build-up of oak and tannin.
Interestingly, during tasting this wine, Peter Gago regaled the audience with a short talk about the “worst Grange vintages” which, in his opinion, are the 1974, 1984 and 1992. Although, he went on to say that even the “worst” Grange is still a very good wine!
Tasted at the “Penfolds 1990 – Grange and Other Icons” session hosted by Peter Gago at the Decanter New World Fine Wine Encounter, Landmark Hotel, London on the 19th of May 2007
1990 Penfolds Shiraz Bin 28 Kalimna 90 Points
Australia, South Australia
Made from 100% Shiraz and aged in old oak, this wine is youthful purple in colour. At 13% it is more indicative of the Rhone than of the Barossa! The nose shows some age, with loss of primary fruit characters. The palate I still youthful – fruity, especially showing cherry, and well balanced. Very nice.
Tasted at the “Penfolds 1990 – Grange and Other Icons” session hosted by Peter Gago at the Decanter New World Fine Wine Encounter, Landmark Hotel, London on the 19th of May 2007.
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1990 Penfolds Cabernet Sauvignon Bin 407 88 Points
Australia, South Australia
1990 was the first year that Bin 407 was made. It comprises 97% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Shiraz and 1% Merlot which had 5 days of skin contact. Aged in French and American oak for 8 months the resulting wine is deep purple in colour. The nose shows blackcurrant, leather, smoke and a hint of rubber. The palate is well balanced, although still a little acidic, showing cigar box and minty characters. Good backbone!
Tasted at the “Penfolds 1990 – Grange and Other Icons” session hosted by Peter Gago at the Decanter New World Fine Wine Encounter, Landmark Hotel, London on the 19th of May 2007.
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1990 Penfolds Bin 389 90 Points
Australia, South Australia
First made in 1960, there have now been 47 vintages of Bin 389. Always a blend, the 1990 was made from 63% Cabernet Sauvignon and 37% Shiraz aged for 18 months in American oak. Cherry and wood on the nose lead into a generous, fruity palate with spice, mocha and praline characters. Bone dry and well rounded.
Tasted at the “Penfolds 1990 – Grange and Other Icons” session hosted by Peter Gago at the Decanter New World Fine Wine Encounter, Landmark Hotel, London on the 19th of May 2007.
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1990 Penfolds Cabernet Sauvignon Bin 707 89 Points
Australia, South Australia
Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon this wine is aged for 18 months in New American oak. As the premium Cabernet Sauvignon, it is not released in “bad” years. Deep purple in colour the nose shows dark chocolate, cedar and oak characters. The palate is full and mouth-filling with mocha characters.
Tasted at the “Penfolds 1990 – Grange and Other Icons” session hosted by Peter Gago at the Decanter New World Fine Wine Encounter, Landmark Hotel, London on the 19th of May 2007.
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1990 Penfolds Shiraz St. Henri 92 Points
Australia, South Australia
The 1990 St Henri was made from 89% Shiraz and 11% Cabernet Sauvignon. As always, this wine was aged in 50 year old 1460 litre vats to give an “old-fashined” style Shiraz with no oak flavour or acid derived tannins. Deep purple in colour this wine is quite light and fruity – like good Burgundy it fills out substantially with bottle age. The palate is smooth and silky with characters of violet and slightly sweet red fruit. Some tannin from contact with skins and seeds, but overall a very subtle wine. Could still do with more time.
Tasted at the “Penfolds 1990 – Grange and Other Icons” session hosted by Peter Gago at the Decanter New World Fine Wine Encounter, Landmark Hotel, London on the 19th of May 2007.
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1990 Penfolds Bin 920 91 Points
Australia, South Australia, Limestone Coast, Coonawarra
Only made three times in 50 years, this is similar to the Bin 389 but only made in exceptional vintages. As with Bin 389 the Bin 920 is aged for 18 months in American oak, but in this case it’s 100% new. The deep purple colour shows this wine is still too young! Compared to Bin 389, this wine is more integrated. Compared to Bi 707, it displays more ripe tannin.
Tasted at the “Penfolds 1990 – Grange and Other Icons” session hosted by Peter Gago at the Decanter New World Fine Wine Encounter, Landmark Hotel, London on the 19th of May 2007.
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1990 Penfolds Bin 90A 91 Points
Australia, South Australia
Made from Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon and Barossa Shiraz this is a special “one-off” Bin wine from an exceptional vintage. The Bin name of this wine comes from the year it was made, so in 1990, it became 90A. Aged in 100% new American oak for 20 months this wine is actually quite approachable – certainly more so that the 1990 Bin 920. The nose is a little sweet, showing fruit and oak characters – although nothing stands out. The palate is subtle and smooth with great integration of fruit and wood.
Tasted at the “Penfolds 1990 – Grange and Other Icons” session hosted by Peter Gago at the Decanter New World Fine Wine Encounter, Landmark Hotel, London on the 19th of May 2007.
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1990 Penfolds Grange 93 Points
Australia, South Australia
Made from 95% Shiraz and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon this Grange was aged in 100% new American oak for 18 months to create a concentrated and powerful wine. Deep purple in colour, this wine has not yet started to open up and soften. The nose shows varietal fruit and oak characters whilst the palate displays blueberry, wood. youthful tannins and good balance.
Tasted at the “Penfolds 1990 – Grange and Other Icons” session hosted by Peter Gago at the Decanter New World Fine Wine Encounter, Landmark Hotel, London on the 19th of May 2007
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2002 Penfolds Grange 93 Points
Australia, South Australia
Released on the 1st of May, just a couple of weeks before the tasting, this wine was substituted for the 1990 Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon which has gone missing in transit.
Made from 99% Shiraz and 1% Cabernet sourced from the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale, this Grange was aged in 100% new American oak for 15 months. Still fairly impenetrable this Grange is showing early signs of being deep, dark, dense, but well integrated. The nose displays primary fruit and wood. The palate shows balance and poise with violets and a build-up of oak and tannin.
Interestingly, during tasting this wine, Peter Gago regaled the audience with a short talk about the “worst Grange vintages” which, in his opinion, are the 1974, 1984 and 1992. Although, he went on to say that even the “worst” Grange is still a very good wine!
Tasted at the “Penfolds 1990 – Grange and Other Icons” session hosted by Peter Gago at the Decanter New World Fine Wine Encounter, Landmark Hotel, London on the 19th of May 2007
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