Accolades & Reviews
93 Points – Jeremy Oliver (Tasted Jan 2004)
Drinking Window: 2011–2015
Producer Notes
Colour: Deep red-purple.
Nose: Cherry, herb garden, dried plum, chocolaty, nutmeg aromas.
Palate: Big, rich, dense and tightly packed with plenty of sweet-fruit, plum, herb, and nutmeg characters and fresh but solid tannins. It finishes grippy firm but there's plenty of flavour length. An early drinking style.
— Penfolds Rewards of Patience, Sixth Edition (2008)
About the Wine
Created by the legendary Max Schubert, the creator of Grange, Penfolds Bin 389 is often called the “Poor Man’s Grange” or “Baby Grange” because components of the wine are matured in barrels that previously held Grange.
First produced in 1960, it combines the structure of Cabernet Sauvignon with the richness of Shiraz, showcasing Penfolds’ mastery in balancing fruit intensity with oak complexity — a hallmark of classic Australian red winemaking.
Vintage Notes (2003)
The 2003 growing season in South Australia was generally warm, beginning with a dry winter and a warm, clear spring.
Summer brought some heat episodes, though cooler weather near harvest provided balance and helped preserve fruit freshness.
Specifications
Vineyard Region: South Australia
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz
Maturation: 12 months in new (27%) and older American oak hogsheads
Alcohol: 14.5%
Acidity: 6.7 g/L
pH: 3.56
Peak Drinking: Now – 2015
Food Matches: Beef, Duck & Game, Lamb
Closure: Cork