Country: Australia Region: South Australia

Varietal:57% Cabernet, 43% Shiraz

Vintage: 2012 Colour: Red Style: Dry

Producer: Penfolds

Description:

The Bin 8 release is a serious bargain in the Penfolds iconic "Bin" range. Introduced in 2003 as an understudy to Bins 138 and 389, it has gained quite a following of its own and we at WineOnline.ie are huge fans! The wine is composed of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon and 43% Shiraz sourced from some of Penfolds' top vineyards across Barossa Valley, Wrattonbully, McLaren Vale, Padthaway, and Langhorne Creek. It is designed to be rich, powerful, lush, and accessible on release. The wine spends 12 months in predominantly older oak (both French and American) that once housed its prestigious siblings 389 and 128. The wine is dominated by nicely saturated rich, dark fruits with some redder notes showing with air. There is real Cabernet character here with cigar box and cedar but also a slightly fleshier, more exuberant feel on the palate from the Shiraz component. They work together very well in this stunning wine. Classic Penfolds styling is added by the toasty, rich but well-integrated oak and really makes this a very complete and compelling wine at this super competitive price point! This is a wine that is sure to bring a lot of enjoyment to many drinkers.

Ageing Potential: 20+ Years

Tasting Note:
The palate is vibrant and ripe, with red fruits that are integrated with oak (French and American) and compliant tannins. Wait till you see the reviews below, and the awards and accolades this wine and the winery have won.

92 points James Suckling

 A newer wine that is composed of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon and 43% Shiraz, sourced from the Barossa Valley, Wrattonbully, McLaren Vale, Padthaway and Langhorne Creek. The nose is quiet striking, there's a nicely crafted oak element layered into the mix, the Shiraz comes across flambouyant and chocolatey, the Cabernet adds leafy notes. There’s a little dark olive and plenty of dark fruit flavours on the palate, great depth and well-judged ripeness. This is succulent and rich, quite silky and even, showing plums and spice, deep red and purple fruit flavours, some gentle mocha oak and smooth, approachable layered tannins. (3/2014)

90 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

• A blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon and 43% Shiraz, the deep garnet-purple colored 2012 Bin 8 Cabernet Shiraz is a little closed on the nose, with pure blackcurrant and blackberry notes coming through along with some baking spices in the background. Medium-bodied with classic flavors, it is quite expressive in the mouth, with low to medium levels of grainy tannins carrying it through the long finish. 90+(LPB) (2/2014)

90 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

• Glass-staining ruby. Textbook Cabernet aromas of cherry, cassis, pipe tobacco and woodsmoke, with a vanilla undertone and a touch of cracked pepper. Offers pliant black and blue fruit flavors, a note of bitter chocolate and good spicy kick, plus a subtle licorice nuance. Finishes sweet, gently tannic and long, leaving smoke and dark berry notes behind. (JR) (7/2014)

Food Matches: Spicy / Venison / Casseroles / Beef