2008 Australia

Launched with the 1990 vintage in 1993, Penfolds Bin 407 was developed in response to the increasing availability of high quality Cabernet Sauvignon fruit. Inspired by Penfolds Bin 707, Bin 407 offers varietal definition and approachability, yet with structure and depth of flavour.

A textbook Cabernet Sauvignon, the varietally expressive Bin 407 highlights the rewards of Penfolds multi-region, multi-vineyard blending, with a core of ripe fruit supported by a sensitive use of French and American oak.

Providing a lovely contrast to the more powerfully structured Bin 707, Bin 407 is a restrained and elegant cabernet sauvignon style with clear, varietal black-currant/cassis aromas, fine-grained firm tannins and underlying cedar/savoury oak

The 2008 vintage of Bin 169 Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon is the inaugural re-release of this label - modelled on the earlier ‘one-off’ 1973 Bin 169. The creation of Bin 169 reflects a contemporary Penfolds winemaking approach, emphasising both regionality and maturation of Cabernet Sauvignon in fine-grained French oak.

An honest reflection of the region and a testament to Penfolds longstanding commitment to the vineyards of Coonawarra. Dark magenta, with a deeper/darker core. The nose is regal, yet modern. Lifted high notes—an intriguing mix of root vegetables... rhubarb, turnip, radish, parsnip, white chocolate and clove. Scents of blackberry conserve, fig paste, black olive, oregano, bay leaf, paprika do appear on the aromatic radar. A hint of oak, replete with mustard powder/Indian spice artefact. Fresh wafts of new, sweet polished leather.

The palate is lively, stylish, confidently and assertively medium-bodied, Coonawarra. Rhubarb compote carries over onto the palate, energised by blackcurrant and quince allies and red fruits (cranberry and persimmon). Tomato chutney/relish/pulp... giving way to savoury tapenade, Dutch red licorice. The feature here is texture... structurally woven, a mesh rather than a coating—tightened by oak, bound by powdery Coonawarra Cabernet tannins. Good grip, natural acidity. Deep and long.

"This inaugural release is a contemporary Penfolds reflection and showcase of Cabernet and of Coonawarra.”
(Chief Winemaker, Peter Gago)

A blend of 98% Shiraz with a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon from across vineyards in the Barossa Valley, Clare Valley, and Magill Estate. Matured for 19 months in new American oak hogsheads.

First vintage since 1976 to be awarded 100 points by the Wine Advocate 2008 was an early harvest.  A seamless growing season with steady, early season growth, followed by cool, dry conditions at the start of summer, and the anticipated rise in temperatures from the New Year. A vintage where the oldest vines with balanced canopies capitalised on the perfect growing conditions before the highest temperatures arrived.

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2008 Hill of Grace has a slightly closed nose before giving subtle notes of ripe black cherries, blackberries and violets with hints of cedar, pepper, green tea and cumin. There's a slight raisin character on the full-bodied palate with crisp acid, dense fruit and firm, grainy tannins, finishing long.
Lisa Perrotti-Brown - Wine Advocate - Issue#206 Apr 2013

The Gask is sourced from a single plot of painstakingly nurtured Shiraz nestled into the eastern slope of Mount McKenzie. Planted in 1960, this elevated site yields small, intense berries that possess great intensity of flavour without sacrificing balance & poise. After hand harvesting in early April this small batch was destemmed into two cement vats where it spent seven days before being ‘gravity-drained’ and basket pressed. The juice was later racked into old French barriques where it completed a slow malo-lactic fermentation and was aged for a total of 18 months. As with all Torbreck wines wines, it was bottled without the use of fining or filtration.