Opinions on Penfolds

[drizzt3117]

Ok, so obviously Penfold's Grange and Bin 707 are at the top of the heap, how would you guys rank the other Penfolds wines, such as the Cabernet Sauvignon, the Cabernet Shiraz, Coonawarra Shiraz or Kookabonga Shiraz? I am partial to the Cab Shiraz as a moderately priced wine...

 

[jcusey]

Bin 389 can be very good, particularly in years that it includes declassified 707 and Grange juice. I've also had good experiences with Bin 407 and Bin 128.

 

[drizzt3117]

what vintages have grange/707 juice in the 389?

 

[jcusey]

what vintages have grange/707 juice in the 389?

The only one that I can remember specifically is 2000, which was rumored to have Bin 707 juice -- there wasn't a Bin 707 vintage in 2000. Other years, I can't say.

 

[Zubberah]

If u go to www.penfolds.com.au you can view tasting notes of the entire Penfolds wine range from 1950. Penfolds is a style you either love or hate. I am not partial to American oak and Penfolds uses it liberally. Since the merger with Southcorp and Rosemount Estate, the wines have become bland and industrial. Sure, Grange and RWT remain exceptional but the lower end range are made for more immediate consumption, espciellay, Bin 28, Bin 128. The great vintages for Penfolds are 1971, 1976, 1983, 1986, 1990, 1991, 1994, 1996, 1998 and 2002.

 

[drizzt3117]

I just enjoyed a bottle of the 2002 Bin 389, and it was great... smooth and rich, yet bold. I think Penfolds will always be one of my favorite wineries.

 

[BjornH]

I once managed to cellar a 389 ('88 ?)for a few years and it was well worth it. I've held it in high regard since and reccomend it to anyone.

B

 

[drizzt3117]

I may pick up a couple more bottles of the 2002 '389 and cellar them, I quite like that wine, hopefully it will get better with age as well.

 

[BjornH]

I does and is generally recomended for cellaring.

Get a copy of Hugh Johnson's Pocket Encyclopedia of Wine. It's published each year and contains listings and gradings of most wines worth mentioning. There are updates on vintages and a short report on each of the major wine producing areas in the world, or at least the ones that are subject to varying weather.

B