Penfolds Bin 169 Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 Single Bottle
Country: Australia Region: South Australia
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon Vintage: 2021
Colour: Red Style: Dry
Producer: Penfolds
Description:
Australia’s most renowned and prestigious winery, Penfolds, was founded by Christopher Rawson, an English doctor who settled with his family in Adelaide, South Australia, in 1844 and saw the opportunity to plant vines he had brought with him from the Old World. This is how he began to produce fortified wines. However, his purposes were medicinal. His wines were prescribed to his patients as a remedy to combat anaemia. But the concoction was so well received that the winery was soon encouraged to produce red and white wines as well, and in less than a decade, the winery was producing half of Australia’s wines. Despite becoming large and powerful, this project has managed to maintain a rich winemaking tradition over 175 years that has been guarded by its four main winemakers: Max Schubert, Don Ditter, John Duval and Peter Gago. Four great professionals who have always strived to refine their work, but always respecting their predecessors.
Created to reflect a contemporary winemaking approach, emphasizing both regionality and maturation of cabernet sauvignon in fine grained French oak. A style that is immediately Penfolds, whilst simultaneously illustrative of its ongoing search for
diversity and style separation. A classic reflection of the region and a testament of Penfolds longstanding commitment to the vineyards of Coonawarra.
Ageing Potential: 2025-2055
“As with the multi-region Bin 707, the Coonawarra-only Bin 169 returns in 2021 after a year of absence due to fruit quality in 2020 not being up to par. And what a return it is in this near-perfect vintage for Coonawarra, demonstrating why this region is so fêted for Cabernet Sauvignon. More on an elegant red-fruit spectrum than the dense, dark black berries of Bin 707, this is correspondingly lithe and lifted, with exotic notes of potpourri, blue ink, fresh mint tea and liquorice joining concentrated boysenberry, pomegranate, cigar box spice, and firm but fine coffee tannins. Very complex and layered with a welcome light hand on the oak: 16 months in French hogsheads, 51% new. Exceptional this vintage, speaks strongly of its terroir and represents a great buy for the price.” 97 PTS Decanter Tina Gellie
Tasting Note:
COLOUR:
Impenetrable dark cherry
NOSE:
A wine clearly speaking to its origins. A distinct Coonawarra motif, derived from the ancient terra rossa soils that the region is famed for. A swirl reveals red brick dust and alluring hints of sweet nut praline. Notes of violets, spearmint and green peppercorns indicate varietal origin.
Freshly roasted Arabica coffee beans, humbugs, polished mahogany, boot polish and saddle leather add to the complexity of the nose. There is a hint of flint/cordite, possibly barrel ferment derived. Altogether, a most enticing offer.
PALATE: The palate is impeccably balanced. First acknowledged, red fruits with cranberry and wild raspberry enmeshed with cherry liquor. Mulberry, both leaf and berries are present and accounted for. Pastry notes are reminiscent of baked blackberry tart with chocolate ganache, topped with a maraschino cherry. The sweet notes are balanced by intriguing oregano/thyme herb flavours, and a ferric/ironstone impression that is undoubtedly terroir driven. The tannins are very fine, like cocoa powder. A wonderful Bin 169 that promises to deliver over many decades... if you can be disciplined enough to wait that long.
