Lovely effort by Penfolds. We drank this as a mini vertical with the 2015, and the younger sibling came out on top The 2014 is solid, with lighter red fruits coming forward, nice tannins, and great mouthfeel. Less Cabernet in this edition than the 2015. I think this might benefit from a few more years before opening.
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Opened before dinner, half a bottle poured off and sealed for the next night. Beautiful fragrance of fruit, licorice, and subtle vanilla oak. First sip, blown away by the layers of flavour, cassis, plums, red and black berries, licorice, subtle oak, smooth tannins and a nice line of acid. The wine continued to evolve and delight through the course of the meal and the half bottle put aside for the next night didn't make it. 92+
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A nice blend that can still age well. A bit of fruit and tobacco but a warm soft finish. Served with rack of lamb.... opened up nicely as the meal progressed.
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No formal notes, but good concentration and length. Not too jammy as other examples from the region can be. Actually really nice. Will be looking to pick up more.
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Enjoyed with good friends in Ladysmith. Wine was ruby in color with slow legs and medium to full bodied with a fleshy texture and an acidic lingering finish. Aromas of black pepper and tobacco with tastes of smokey bacon and oak.
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Reviewing 389 is so easy. Vintage variation is there, but it never changes its style. It is big and rich and coats the mouth like raspberry jam.
The 2014 is excellent, not the greatest vintage of all, but slightly above average. It hits the centre of the dartboard. It leaves your teeth stained and your lips tacky like drying paint.
Each time I show a 389 to friends they immediately comment. You could almost bank on at least one “ohhh, that’s really nice...” And each time you could almost bank on me thinking to myself, like I did today, “I know I have tonne of this already, but really, why do I buy any anything else?”
Buying wine, and life at large, is really only about happiness. This label makes me happy and you can never have too much.
Shy nose but with effort, dark plums, cherries, dark chocolate and strawberry wafers. There were moments where a little nail vanish component came through which alothough not off putting, it was not attractive too. There was consistent delivery of lushes cherries and dark berries throughout the palate and no hollow or dipping points. Overall it was enjoyable and can tell that it’s a well made wine but there is nothing exciting about it at the moment.
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Medium to full bodied with dark fruits, cherries, a touch of cassis, dark chocolate and a fair kick of vanilla. 'Furry' type tannin structure in the mouth, with a reasonable finish. I felt it was a bit disjointed at this stage with the oak dominating a bit too much for my preferences.
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No detailed notes. While I like the structure, the wine is a bit too extracted, a tad too artificial with full throttle sweet red and dark red fruit and tons of eucalyptus. Quite monolithic. I enjoyed a glass but wouldn't wanna drink a bottle of it.
Decanted for an hour. Pre-decanting, it was bland initially but tannic towards the end with notes of oak, blackberries and chocolates. After an hour, flavors were slightly milder but the initial strong alcohol was still present. Was shocked that it is 14.5%.
Overall a pleasant wine for someone who prefers full bodied wines. Goes well with oily food, especially chinese.
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Penfolds Masterclass at Verite Oslo (Verite Oslo): Dark sweet ripe blackberry and blackcurrant on the approach with combination of cinnamon and baking spices. A bit alcoholic at first that vanishes after a while. Big chewy tannins with dark fruit and balanced oak. 91-92 points.
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Young primary fruit. On the soft side of things but with a good balance and structure. Long nice finish. Should have plenty of development scope. 90-91p
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Ruby Complex smell of ripe red and dark fruit, soil, herbs and oak tones. Complex taste of red and ripe dark fruit, soil, herbs and oak. Great tannins with long aftertaste.
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11/30/2023 - Goodjob! Likes this wine: 93 Points
Very good and ready to go with a little bit of air. I prefere this to the 2012 Bin 407.
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8/10/2023 - Hanh wrote: 93 Points
Soft generous palate. Excellent example of Penfolds wine. A great cab sav
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6/5/2023 - Hover low 64 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Lovely effort by Penfolds. We drank this as a mini vertical with the 2015, and the younger sibling came out on top The 2014 is solid, with lighter red fruits coming forward, nice tannins, and great mouthfeel. Less Cabernet in this edition than the 2015. I think this might benefit from a few more years before opening.
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2/7/2023 - Pzknkt wrote: flawed
Didn’t like it at all, not sure if it was going off! Disappointed
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9/14/2022 - nulla Likes this wine: 92 Points
Opened before dinner, half a bottle poured off and sealed for the next night. Beautiful fragrance of fruit, licorice, and subtle vanilla oak. First sip, blown away by the layers of flavour, cassis, plums, red and black berries, licorice, subtle oak, smooth tannins and a nice line of acid. The wine continued to evolve and delight through the course of the meal and the half bottle put aside for the next night didn't make it. 92+
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8/11/2022 - Marbruck wrote: 91 Points
Softened and is less tannic. It is not particularly vibrant.
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5/23/2022 - Bradman Likes this wine: 91 Points
superb
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4/17/2022 - willmark wrote: 86 Points
17th April 2922
Underwhelming!
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8/2/2021 - BobMcK wrote:
Still chewy tannins, huge casis fruit. revisit in 5 years!
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7/23/2021 - greydog Likes this wine: 90 Points
A nice blend that can still age well. A bit of fruit and tobacco but a warm soft finish. Served with rack of lamb.... opened up nicely as the meal progressed.
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7/4/2021 - Hanh Likes this wine: 91 Points
Drinking nicely. Lots of time left.
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4/27/2021 - robferguson1 wrote: 92 Points
Hides its high alcohol well .
Very drinkable now.
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11/6/2020 - Rune_73 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Very nice wine. Full body, powerful but still elegant. Great value.
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5/18/2019 - ieatprawnsss Likes this wine: 91 Points
No formal notes, but good concentration and length. Not too jammy as other examples from the region can be. Actually really nice. Will be looking to pick up more.
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5/9/2019 - Dave Herzig Likes this wine: 91 Points
Enjoyed with good friends in Ladysmith. Wine was ruby in color with slow legs and medium to full bodied with a fleshy texture and an acidic lingering finish. Aromas of black pepper and tobacco with tastes of smokey bacon and oak.
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12/27/2018 - BBPP Likes this wine:
Reviewing 389 is so easy. Vintage variation is there, but it never changes its style. It is big and rich and coats the mouth like raspberry jam.
The 2014 is excellent, not the greatest vintage of all, but slightly above average. It hits the centre of the dartboard. It leaves your teeth stained and your lips tacky like drying paint.
Each time I show a 389 to friends they immediately comment. You could almost bank on at least one “ohhh, that’s really nice...” And each time you could almost bank on me thinking to myself, like I did today, “I know I have tonne of this already, but really, why do I buy any anything else?”
Buying wine, and life at large, is really only about happiness. This label makes me happy and you can never have too much.
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5/11/2018 - The wine yummy wise wrote: 85 Points
Shy nose but with effort, dark plums, cherries, dark chocolate and strawberry wafers. There were moments where a little nail vanish component came through which alothough not off putting, it was not attractive too.
There was consistent delivery of lushes cherries and dark berries throughout the palate and no hollow or dipping points.
Overall it was enjoyable and can tell that it’s a well made wine but there is nothing exciting about it at the moment.
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1/11/2018 - Matt@5453 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Medium to full bodied with dark fruits, cherries, a touch of cassis, dark chocolate and a fair kick of vanilla. 'Furry' type tannin structure in the mouth, with a reasonable finish. I felt it was a bit disjointed at this stage with the oak dominating a bit too much for my preferences.
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1/10/2018 - Cailles wrote: 90 Points
No detailed notes. While I like the structure, the wine is a bit too extracted, a tad too artificial with full throttle sweet red and dark red fruit and tons of eucalyptus. Quite monolithic. I enjoyed a glass but wouldn't wanna drink a bottle of it.
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12/13/2017 - Elvis1969 wrote: 89 Points
Lite för ung men fin koncentration.
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8/24/2017 - shaunzhang Likes this wine: 91 Points
The typical penfoldz bin 389.Easy to drink.plunty of aroma vanilla.black chrries.medium/full body.not complex but drinkable.
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7/12/2017 - riskyc wrote:
Decanted for an hour. Pre-decanting, it was bland initially but tannic towards the end with notes of oak, blackberries and chocolates. After an hour, flavors were slightly milder but the initial strong alcohol was still present. Was shocked that it is 14.5%.
Overall a pleasant wine for someone who prefers full bodied wines. Goes well with oily food, especially chinese.
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5/10/2017 - Dionysusx Likes this wine: 91 Points
Big and tannic with bright cherry, oak and blackberry. Still young. Could use a few years to mellow. Decant at least an hour.
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4/26/2017 - jmcmchi wrote: 90 Points
Brambly tar on nose
Chewy cab tannins dominate front and mid-palate. Acidity rides over dark juicy fruit into powerful finish
Needs several years to come into its own.
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2/4/2017 - Bobhelge wrote: 91 Points
Penfolds Masterclass at Verite Oslo (Verite Oslo): Dark sweet ripe blackberry and blackcurrant on the approach with combination of cinnamon and baking spices. A bit alcoholic at first that vanishes after a while. Big chewy tannins with dark fruit and balanced oak.
91-92 points.
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1/24/2017 - Yassine23 wrote: 90 Points
Far from ready, way too much tannin at present.
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1/13/2017 - mfumster wrote: 88 Points
Decent drinking, slight spice and medium bodied
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11/21/2016 - CamWheeler wrote: 89 Points
TWE 2016 Expo: Spice, redcurrant, vanilla and cranberry. Medium bodied, good fruit and structure. Nice flow.
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11/11/2016 - Mascarello59 wrote: 90 Points
Young primary fruit. On the soft side of things but with a good balance and structure. Long nice finish. Should have plenty of development scope. 90-91p
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10/23/2016 - kriansjor Likes this wine: 91 Points
Ruby
Complex smell of ripe red and dark fruit, soil, herbs and oak tones.
Complex taste of red and ripe dark fruit, soil, herbs and oak.
Great tannins with long aftertaste.
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10/7/2016 - theeagle03 wrote: 88 Points
Black forest, vanilla, cherries, burnt toast, mushrooms, American oak
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