2009 Australia

In contrast to Bin 707, Bin 169 is the expression of the fruit and terroir from one single region, Coonawarra, perhaps the region more closely associated with Cabernet Sauvignon in Australia than any other. Matured for 14 months in new French oak, contemporary style showing both regionality and maturation of Cabernet Sauvignon in fine grained French oak. Until 31st August 2017 this product is discounted by 20%. Prices shown include discount; no further discount will be applied at checkout.

Introduced to showcase the quality of old vine Barossa fruit from these three celebrated Rhone varietals, Bin 138 has now firmly established itself amongst the Penfolds family of highly individual cuvées.

The blend in this vintage is 68% Grenache, 21% Shiraz and 11% Mourvedre. A very dry growing season in 2009 led to a smaller crop than usual, but one which is more concentrated as a logical consequence of the drought. The Grenache was particularly successful in terms of quality: this varietal is responsible for flesh, sweetness and generosity, with a nose reminiscent of black cherries and dark chocolate; the Shiraz provides acidity, wonderful blackberry fruit and firm acidity, while the Mourvedre’s contribution is to impart backbone, tannin and an earthy, almost licorice character. 12 months in American oak has added a hint of coconut and vanilla to the predominantly meaty, black fruit ensemble.

The nose is full of ripe Cassis and Blueberry, a hint of pencil shavings and szechuan pepper lies underneath.  The palate is medium plus bodied , a finer and more classically structured Grange with great composition and poise.  The mid palate is full of bramble fruit which leads gently into a finish of finely grained, integrated and savoury tannins and a cooling menthol acidity.
Stuart Rae, Private Account Manager

The initials RWT stand for 'Red Winemaking Trial', the name given to the project internally when developmental work for a new wine began in 1995. Unlike other Penfolds wines, RWT is sourced from a single region – the Barossa Valley - and has an opulent and fleshy style, perfumed with blueberry and blackberry fruit. It offers an admirable alternative to the multi-regional sourcing and American oak maturation that are hallmarks of Grange, expressing instead single region Barossa valley Shiraz matured only in French Oak.

Aged in French oak (50-70% new) for up to 15 months, this has a classic Barossa nose of rich, spicy black fruit with a hint of eucalyptus. On the palate, black cherry, blackberry and five spice all merge seamlessly with the oak and supple tannins. Long on the finish, this is another excellent RWT.
(Fergus Stewart, BBR Fine Wine)

This single vineyard wine, located next to the winery. Planted by Dave Powell in 1994 with cuttings off old Run Rig vineyards - some of the oldest genetic material in Australia and the World. A blend of 92% Shiraz and 8% Viognier.
 
The two Descendant grapes are co-fermented with one another and the freshness is what impresses me most of all. There is a wonderful aromatic and spicy lift from the Viognier and a brooding, black punch of flavour and weight from the Shiraz. The wine is aged for 18 months in seasoned French oak and has a huge volume of fruit characters that lingers for more than a minute. This may only be a 19 year old vineyard but the precision and depth of flavour achieved already in the (relatively) young vines is admirable. There are only 5000 bottles of this incredible wine made so do your best to secure a case.
Laura Atkinson, Fine Wine Manager