Once-in-a-lifetime Penfolds tasting 2002-2023

"The wines have spoken. Epic tastings with some spectacular results! And, so many of these Penfolds wines will blossom in the years ahead!”  PeterGago, Penfolds.

Organized by Tastingbook.com, the grand Penfolds tasting (2002–2024) encompassing over 130 wines proved to be an extraordinary, once-in-a-lifetime milestone even for the most seasoned wine critics. Last Fridays' Part II of the event delivered a breathtaking demonstration of Australian winemaking at its absolute zenith: not a single bottle fell below 90 points, and the average score soared to an astonishing 95 points.

When combined with the iconic Part I—which delved into two decades of legendary Grange and Yattarna releases alongside the mythic Grange La Chapelle—the overall average across the entire tasting rose to an unprecedented 96+ points. It stands as an unrivaled, almost surreal achievement that firmly cements Penfolds’ standing among the premier elite producers of global fine wine.

The Heritage of Part I: The Peerless Splendor of Grange, Yattarna, and Grange La Chapelle

The opening movement was anchored by the house’s crown jewels, where generational tradition meets uncompromised structural precision:

• Grange (2002–2022): Australia’s ultimate wine icon demonstrated majestic power and endless cellaring potential. Deep, concentrated dark fruit, spice, and opulent layers of American oak melted into a seamless tannic framework, making every vintage a distinct masterwork.
• Yattarna: The house "White Grange" showcased cool-climate Chardonnay purity at its peak—anchored by vibrant mineral tension, citrus precision, and subtle, integrated oak toast.
• Grange La Chapelle (2021 & 2022): A true phenomenon in modern fine wine, reuniting the muscular South Australian Shiraz of Grange with the silky, granite-driven Northern Rhône Syrah of Hermitage La Chapelle in a 50/50 cross-hemispheric union. The result was a monumental 98–100 point hyper-blend that harmonized two legendary winemaking traditions.

The Richness of Part II: Bin Series Classics, Oak Refinement, and Global Icons

In Part II, the lens widened across Penfolds’ diverse international lineup, where every single label offered a distinct, bespoke identity:

• RWT / Bin 798 vs. St Henri: The unctuous blackberry, violet florality, and French oak richness of Barossa Shiraz in RWT provided a striking counterpoint to St Henri, whose pure fruit clarity matured exclusively in 50-year-old oak vats without a shred of new wood influence.
• Bin 169 & Bin 389: The aristocratic, graphite-driven Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon of Bin 169 stood shoulder-to-shoulder with "Baby Grange" (Bin 389), whose multi-regional Cabernet and Shiraz blend delivered its signature balance of power and sweet American oak frame.
• Global Boundary Crossings: The French Winemaking Trial (FWT 585 Médoc), Napa Valley's Bin 704, and Chinese CWT 521 (Shangri-La & Ningxia) proved how seamlessly Penfolds’ house style translates to international terroirs. Meanwhile, transatlantic "Wines of the World" Bin 149 and Quantum Bin 98 fused Napa Cabernet with Australian muscle.
• Rare Commemoratives: The tasting reached its peak with rare, 100-point historic releases—including g5 (a seamless blend of five distinct Grange vintages), the 175th-anniversary Special Bin 111A, and the 180th-anniversary Coonawarra Bin 180.

This historic tasting was more than a benchmark review—it was a definitive statement on Penfolds’ place in the pantheon of fine wine. Spanning over 130 wines from 2002 to 2023 with an astounding average score around 96 points, it proved that the legendary Penfolds "House Style" is virtually peerless in its consistency, longevity, and structural precision. The event demonstrated that Penfolds can honor its rich Heritage Flagships while effortlessly crossing borders into Bordeaux, Napa Valley, and China. Looking ahead, this collection proves that Penfolds is not merely a custodian of South Australian tradition, but a relentless pioneer shaping the future of global fine wine for generations to come.

Tasted Wines: 

Penfolds Grange 

• Penfolds Grange 2002 — 99 Points
• Penfolds Grange 2003 — 95 Points
• Penfolds Grange 2004 — 99 Points
• Penfolds Grange 2005 — 96 Points
• Penfolds Grange 2006 — 98 Points
• Penfolds Grange 2007 — 95 Points
• Penfolds Grange 2008 — 100 Points
• Penfolds Grange 2002 — 96 Points
• Penfolds Grange 2010 — 100 Points
• Penfolds Grange 2011 — 93 Points
• Penfolds Grange 2012 — 99 Points
• Penfolds Grange 2013 — 98 Points
• Penfolds Grange 2014 — 96 Points
• Penfolds Grange 2015 — 98 Points
• Penfolds Grange 2016 — 100 Points
• Penfolds Grange 2017 — 96 Points
• Penfolds Grange 2018 — 99 Points
• Penfolds Grange 2019 — 97 Points
• Penfolds Grange 2020 — 96 Points
• Penfolds Grange 2021 — 99 Points
• Penfolds Grange 2022 — 98 Points

Penfolds Yattarna Chardonnay

• Penfolds Yattarna Chardonnay 2002 — 95 Points
• Penfolds Yattarna Chardonnay 2003 — 93 Points
• Penfolds Yattarna Chardonnay 2004 — 96 Points
• Penfolds Yattarna Chardonnay 2005 — 94 Points
• Penfolds Yattarna Chardonnay 2006 — 96 Points
• Penfolds Yattarna Chardonnay 2007 — 93 Points
• Penfolds Yattarna Chardonnay 2008 — 97 Points
• Penfolds Yattarna Chardonnay 2009 — 95 Points
• Penfolds Yattarna Chardonnay 2010 — 98 Points
• Penfolds Yattarna Chardonnay 2011 — 94 Points
• Penfolds Yattarna Chardonnay 2012 — 97 Points
• Penfolds Yattarna Chardonnay 2013 — 96 Points
• Penfolds Yattarna Chardonnay 2014 — 95 Points
• Penfolds Yattarna Chardonnay 2015 — 98 Points
• Penfolds Yattarna Chardonnay 2016 — 97 Points
• Penfolds Yattarna Chardonnay 2017 — 96 Points
• Penfolds Yattarna Chardonnay 2018 — 98 Points
• Penfolds Yattarna Chardonnay 2019 — 97 Points
• Penfolds Yattarna Chardonnay 2020 — 96 Points
• Penfolds Yattarna Chardonnay 2021 — 99 Points
• Penfolds Yattarna Chardonnay 2022 — 98 Points

Penfolds Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon

• Penfolds Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 — 95 Points
• Penfolds Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 — 96 Points
• Penfolds Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 — 97 Points
• Penfolds Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 — 96 Points
• Penfolds Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 — 95 Points
• Penfolds Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 — 95 Points
• Penfolds Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 — 96 Points
• Penfolds Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 — 98 Points
• Penfolds Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 — 97 Points
• Penfolds Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 — 97 Points
• Penfolds Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 — 97 Points
•  Penfolds Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 — 96 Points

Penfolds Bin 169 Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

• Penfolds Bin 169 Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 — 94 Points
• Penfolds Bin 169 Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 — 94 Points
• Penfolds Bin 169 Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 — 96 Points
• Penfolds Bin 169 Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 — 97 Points
• Penfolds Bin 169 Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 — 96 Points
• Penfolds Bin 169 Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 — 94 Points
• Penfolds Bin 169 Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 — 96 Points
• Penfolds Bin 169 Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 — 95 Points

Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 

• Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 2011 — 93 Points
• Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 2012 — 95 Points
• Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 2013 — 94 Points
• Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 2014 — 93 Points
• Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 2015 — 94 Points
• Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 2016 — 93 Points
• Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 2017 — 93 Points
• Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 2018 — 94 Points
• Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 2019 — 94 Points
• Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 2020 — 92 Points
• Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 2021 — 94 Points
• Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 2022 — 95 Points

Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon

• Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 — 93 Points
• Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 — 93 Points
• Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 — 91 Points
• Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 — 92 Points
• Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 — 92 Points
• Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 — 93 Points
• Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 — 91 Points
• Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 — 93 Points
• Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 — 93 Points
• Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 — 94 Points
• Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 — 92 Points
• Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 — 94 Points
• Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 — 95 Points
• Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 — 94 Points

Penfolds RWT / Bin 798 Barossa Valley Shiraz

• Penfolds RWT / Bin 798 Barossa Valley Shiraz 2006 — 96 Points
• Penfolds RWT / Bin 798 Barossa Valley Shiraz 2007 — 94Points
• Penfolds RWT / Bin 798 Barossa Valley Shiraz 2008 — 94 Points
• Penfolds RWT / Bin 798 Barossa Valley Shiraz 2009 — 95 Points
• Penfolds RWT / Bin 798 Barossa Valley Shiraz 2010 — 96 Points
• Penfolds RWT / Bin 798 Barossa Valley Shiraz 2012 — 95 Points
• Penfolds RWT / Bin 798 Barossa Valley Shiraz 2013 — 96 Points
• Penfolds RWT / Bin 798 Barossa Valley Shiraz 2014 — 95 Points
• Penfolds RWT / Bin 798 Barossa Valley Shiraz 2015 — 96 Points
• Penfolds RWT / Bin 798 Barossa Valley Shiraz 2016 — 97 Points
• Penfolds RWT / Bin 798 Barossa Valley Shiraz 2018 — 96 Points
• Penfolds RWT / Bin 798 Barossa Valley Shiraz 2019 — 96 Points
• Penfolds RWT / Bin 798 Barossa Valley Shiraz 2020 — 97 Points
• Penfolds RWT / Bin 798 Barossa Valley Shiraz 2021 — 97 Points

Penfolds St Henri Shiraz

• Penfolds St Henri Shiraz 2010 — 97 Points
• Penfolds St Henri Shiraz 2011 — 92 Points
• Penfolds St Henri Shiraz 2012 — 97 Points
• Penfolds St Henri Shiraz 2013 — 96 Points
• Penfolds St Henri Shiraz 2014 — 93 Points
• Penfolds St Henri Shiraz 2015 — 95 Points
• Penfolds St Henri Shiraz 2016 — 96 Points
• Penfolds St Henri Shiraz 2018 — 98 Points
• Penfolds St Henri Shiraz 2019 — 96 Points
• Penfolds St Henri Shiraz 2020 — 95 Points
• Penfolds St Henri Shiraz 2021 — 98 Points
• Penfolds St Henri Shiraz 2022 — 97 Points

Special Bins, Multi-Vintages & Cross-Hemispheric Collaborations

• Penfolds g5 Multi-Vintage Shiraz — 99 Points
• Penfolds Special Bin 111A Clare Valley Barossa Valley Shiraz 2016 — 99 Points
• Penfolds Bin 180 Coonawarra Cabernet Shiraz 2021 — 98 Points
• Penfolds Grange La Chapelle 2021 — 97 Points
• Penfolds Grange La Chapelle 2022 — 98 Points
• Penfolds Superblend 802.A Cabernet Shiraz 2018 — 98 Points
• Penfolds Superblend 802.A Cabernet Shiraz 2022 — 97 Points

California & Global Collections

• Penfolds Quantum Bin 98 Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 — 97 Points
• Penfolds Quantum Bin 98 Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 — 98 Points
• Penfolds Bin 149 Wine of the World Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 — 95 Points
• Penfolds Bin 149 Wine of the World Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 — 96 Points
• Penfolds Bin 704 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 — 92 Points
• Penfolds Bin 704 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 — 95 Points
• Penfolds Bin 704 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 — 95 Points
• Penfolds Bin 704 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 — 94 Points

French & Chinese Winemaking Trials (FWT & CWT)

• Penfolds FWT 585 Médoc Bordeaux 2021 — 95 Points
• Penfolds FWT 585 Médoc Bordeaux 2022 — 94 Points
• Penfolds FWT 543 Haut-Médoc Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah 2022 — 93 Points
• Penfolds CWT 521 Cabernet Sauvignon Marselan 2021 — 92 Points
• Penfolds CWT 521 Cabernet Sauvignon Marselan 2022 — 94 Points
• Penfolds x Thienot Blanc de Blancs 2014 — 96 Points
• Penfolds x Thienot Blanc de Blancs 2013 — 95 Points
• Penfolds x Thienot Blanc de Noirs 2013 — 96 Points