Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet-Shiraz 2023

Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet-Shiraz 2023 is an iconic, deeply concentrated, and beautifully structured Australian red wine blend affectionately known as "Baby Grange." It opens with an intricate and shifting bouquet of blackcurrants, dark plums, and Black Forest cake, layered with aromatic nuances of dark chocolate, sweet licorice, star anise, and savory rosemary. On the palate, this wine is full-bodied, dense, and tightly coiled, expertly using the prism of a cooler growing season to maintain freshness and poise. The structural Cabernet Sauvignon lends focused notes of graphite, cassis, and black olive, while the Shiraz grounds the mid-palate with rich plum flavors, warmth, and fleshy fruit. Supported by a frame of fine, powder-gravel tannins and sweet American oak vanillin, it glides into a lingering, muscular, and exceptionally savory finish built for long cellaring.

Food Pairing: The bold structural framework, rich black fruits, and pronounced American oak influence of this classic blend make it a spectacular match for heavy, savory dishes. It pairs magnificently with a grilled prime ribeye steak, roasted rack of lamb crusted with herbs, slow-braised beef short ribs, or osso buco. It also provides a fantastic complement to wild boar ragù, roasted venison, wood-fired peppered pizzas, or a board of intense, full-flavored cheeses like aged sharp Cheddar and Gouda.

96 Points - James Suckling

This wine has been made every vintage since 1960. Refined, generous and polished aromas of blackberries, blackcurrants, cured meat, crushed stones and iodine. The palate is full-bodied with a rounded, textural palate and ultra-refined tannins that lead to a silky, savory, black-fruited finish. 51% cabernet sauvignon and 49% shiraz. Excellent. Drink or hold.

95 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate