Bin 149 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley & South Australia 2019 Penfolds

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94p by Ken Gargett
95p by Pekka Nuikki / Editor of the Fine Wine Magazines and Champagne Magazine
97p by Andrew Caillard MW / BWW2024 Finalist

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Written Notes

Bin 149 Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 ($225) – Cabernet from the Napa Valley and South Australia and oak from France and America. Welcome to the new world order. The name came about as the first release saw a 14.9% contribution from South Australia and we have something similar this vintage – from the Barossa, McLaren Vale and Coonawarra. The oak is new, 80% French and 20% American and the wine spent 17 months in it.

A really lovely expression of international cooperation, drinking beautifully already. We have dark chocolate flavours in abundance, cigar box, or tobacco leaf if you prefer although they are not quite the same thing, a sweet core of blackberries, spices and black cherries. There is a generosity here, with fine, silky tannins and impressive length. Good focus. Will sail through a decade or more in the cellar. 94.

- Ken Gargett

Deep crimson. A Profoundly complex wine with beautiful dark cherry, blackcurrant mocha aromas, hints of rose garden and graphite. Dense and richly flavoured with pure blackcurrant/ black cherry fruits, fine loose knit bitter-sweet chocolaty textures, well balanced mocha/ vanilla oak and fresh long mineral acidity. Finishes cedar firm with seductive dark fruits. Very impressive wine with presence, potential longevity and finesse. Maturation for 17 months in new French (80%) and new American (20%) oak. Drink 2024 – 2040+ 14.5% alc 97 points

- Andrew Caillard MW / BWW2024 Finalist

There is an otherworldly aromatic element that is hard to define, a natural result of two hemispheres united by one winemaking philosophy.
The Arabian spice souk leads the charge: dark, savoury spice blends – harissa, baharat, cloves, nutmeg, pimento, cinnamon, fennel, anise.
Deli meats provide further appeal: pastrami, jamón ibérico, finocchiona.
Generous fruits, fresh punnets of blackberry, cassis liqueur, dehydrated blood orange. Pistachio ice-cream, pistachio nougat, shavings of bitter orange chocolate and cola. A spicy dust tickles, tantalising.

For a nose that is so spicy, the plush generous fruit driven palate is entirely surprising. Liquorice, poached quince, fresh black figs, summer berry pudding with icing sugar dusting.
The palate is focused, tapering to a fine point, defined.
Fine and grainy tannins hold the layers of fruit together, offering papery texture/complexity. A succulent red fruit finish leaves a steely edge.
Approachable, certainly. However, a patient spell in the cellar will deliver ample reward.

- Peter Gago / Penfolds

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