About This Wine

Often called “Baby Grange,” Penfolds Bin 389 is the wine that built the reputation of Australian Cabernet–Shiraz blends, and the 2023 vintage shows exactly why it has remained a benchmark for decades. Sourced from select South Australian vineyards and matured in barrels previously used for Grange, the wine balances richness with structure — a signature Penfolds style that sits between power and polish.

The nose opens with blackberry compote, blackcurrant and plum, followed by cedar, baking spice and dark chocolate. With air, more savory tones emerge — dried herbs, espresso, and a subtle graphite note from the Cabernet Sauvignon, layered over the warmer spice and mocha character contributed by Shiraz. On the palate the wine is full-bodied yet controlled, combining ripe dark fruit with fine tannins and fresh acidity. The Cabernet provides backbone and definition, while Shiraz fills in the mid-palate with plush texture and a faint peppery warmth. Hints of vanilla oak and cocoa linger into a long, structured finish.

Approachable now with a decant, but built to age 10–20 years, the 2023 Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz is both a collector’s introduction to the Penfolds house style and a serious cellar candidate. It pairs naturally with grilled ribeye, lamb chops, or aged cheddar, yet remains polished enough to stand on its own in the glass.

Score

96 points, James Suckling.