Critic tasting note: (2009 vintage) "Bin 389 is always a Cab-Shiraz, although the 2009 is only just, atCabernet andShiraz. This year's version is chocolaty and ripe, with plenty of weight and a slightly creamy feel. Cassis and vanilla notes fill out the palate, which finishes long, with an elegant texture akin to fine suede. Drink now–2025." - Wine Enthusiast
Drinking Window: 2014-2028
Vineyard Notes
Padthaway, Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Coonawarra, Wrattonbully and Robe
Vintage Notes
Adequate winter rains across most parts of South Australia gave good soil moisture levels for budburst, which was followed by a dry and warm spring. Climatic conditions favoured flowering and set with mild and calm weather, however there was some shatter in Shiraz across parts of the state. Minimal frost and disease pressures allowed for excellent vine canopy development. November and December conditions were mild to average, providing good conditions for even ripening. Harvest also continued over a long period optimising colour, flavour and tannin development. The long and late South East harvest was particularly conducive to excellent flavour development in Cabernet. 2009 proved to be a slightly later vintage compared to the previous years. Some healthy early to mid December Summer rainfall, followed by conditions drying up very quickly and continuing until the end of February.
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Ageing
Matured for 12 months in American oak hogsheads (21% new).
Producer Tasting Notes
Colour: Vermilion (red), dense to rim. Nose: A Penfolds nose with all the trimmings—formic/ferric, barrel-ferment complexities, soy and demi-glace pan scrapings. Scents of black licorice competing with corned-beef brisket and peppercorn gravy, mushroom duxelle aromatics. Contented oak backstage; notwithstanding, an important supporting role. Palate: Lively. Intense, generous and vibrant fruits—with volume! Stewed quince, rhubarb and loquat laced with cocoa, cedary oak. Mouth-coating, ripe tannins augment an even and sweet palate continuum… textured and complete. Structurally, everything in place, in tune.