March 25, 2023 - Pnp before dinner. Pared with Grilled (local Cardiff Crack) tri tip. Still dark in color, light sediment, Nose still ailve with red fruits and earth. Soft and silky on palate. Still has nice red fruits present. Nice mouth feel. Good structure. Easy drinking and pared well with food tonight. A pleasure to drink. And a nice memory of an old friend.
October 3, 2022 - 30 years old and it could have gone a few more.
February 15, 2020 - Pop n poured from a friend's wine fridge.
Cedar, spice, tobacco, Mint,
Palate was light almost gone, finish just holding on to some fine tannins and spice
Enjoyable well aged bin 389, but mostly all secondary.
September 29, 2018 - ~20 min decant into a cylindrical plastic pitcher which was immed closed until serving; Private Preserve after Day 1
C.S. & Shiraz matured in AM oak barrels for 16 mos; 13.5% ABV, 6.70g/L T.A., & 3.39 pH
N: Leather, tobacco (poss earth) atop blk cherry cola with notes of spice
P: Med, poss LM, body; NICE "frt" firmed by a puckerish astringency which fairly seamlessly morphs into a LONG, balanced, ult bitter/SWT finish which is QUITE food compatible (lovely with Chicken Kebobs) even @ age 26. Though likely SOMEWHAT on the decline, I can see this at least approaching its 30th! My EXC. // Day 2: Held nicely; Noticed some choc today, & occasional notes of raisins. 93 pts James Halliday, 92 ea Jeremy Oliver & WS, 89 Huon Hooke, & 85 The Wine Front.
October 21, 2015 - Taken to Zucca's on the day that I learnt that they are to close at the end of the year. This bottle was part of a mixed Penfolds case acquired from one of my very first pay-checks back in the day and boy am I glad that I held onto it until now! Georgeous wine at its very peak now - this is why I collect and mature wine.
No decant, but this wine was singing from the first sip. Fruit and tannins fully integrated, with tertiary notes of leather and smoke. Lovely balance and absolutely fantastic. Shamefully, I have bought far too little Penfolds since that case...
April 6, 2013 - Red red and very clear, translucent. Some aging at the edges but not as much as I've seen on other 20 year old wines.
Nose of mintiness and hints of licorice.
Lots of lively acidity on the palate, very zingy and uplifting and upfront. Top-notey with more bright red fruit I typically look for in a wine.
And then on the finish some residual acidity not quite so pleasant, almost certainly the result of acidification.
Good for what it is, if not for me. Still kicking and alive. Others might give it 90 pts.
August 6, 2012 - NobleRottersSydney - Penfolds Bin 389 1988-97 (Alio's, Surry Hills): [13.5%, cork] {Stephen} Sweet meaty aromas with aging raspberry fruits dominate a surprisingly lively nose. The palate manages an initial burst of ripe, sweet red fruit flavours before fading a bit quickly. Medium tannins are a bit grainy; it’s a medium-bodied wine all round, with a slightly simply palate, finishing a bit short. A decent enough showing from a weaker vintage, but nothing to be gained from holding further.
June 20, 2010 - Not far off other notes...was brought out for a birthday - has held up well over the last 20yrs - light dark fruit on nose and palate. Light tannins and acid with a medium finish that has a little oaky vanilla quality with a touch of ?leather...Don't wait - drink now!
December 26, 2007 - Amazing fruit, given its age.
August 6, 2007 - NobleRottersSydney - Penfolds 96-98 +ring-ins (Alio's, Surry Hills): This Bin 389 is warm mid-garnet, with only the smallest fading in colour at the rim hinting at its age. The bouquet is as you’d expect at fifteen years, with aged blackberry and currant aromas, with a smattering of characteristic Penfolds blurred vanilla oak. The fruit remaining on the palate is a little sweet and confected, the chalky tannins have softened out nicely; the wine is medium-full bodied. Nicely balanced; lacks ultimate excitement but remains a good wine from an average year drinking at peak right now.