Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 1998
Cabernet sauvignon, Shiraz. 14% alcohol. Sealed with cork. Approx $A35.
The 389 is still quite correctly set on a pedestal. It is highly regarded, long lived and still moderately priced. A few bottles is not out of the question for most with a passing interest in wine. In a good year, which 1998 was, it rewards and reaffirms the faithful.
Terrific wine. Still a pup and with many years ahead of it.
Dark, vibrant purple. Dense nose with blackberry, blackcurrant, malt, meat and the faintest hint of dried herbs and lavender. Rich, soft and structured. Lovely weight, length and shape in the mouth. Plush. The tannins are firm, chewy and lingering.
Excellent.
18.5/20 (95/100).
Drink now - 2017.
technorati tags: wine, australian wine, cabernet, shiraz
4 comments:
Good. Have 6 in the cellar untouched. At the moment I prefer to drink my in-laws enormous stash :)
Looks like a big blow up bottle. Just needs arms that flap about wildly..
GW
Damn - that towering shot is my trademark! And I don't have the weather to be outside with that nice cloudy background...
Just joking - nice bottle shot (and a great wine, I have a few younger 389s in my cellar). I will save them.
GW and Joe,
I preferred it to the 96 edition.
Like most things in my life the photo was a spur of the moment thing - on my way to dinner, bottle of wine in hand and camera in pocket, I see a flash of lightening on the horizon. . .
I think I would have to go to auction to find a '96, but I can always dream of that dinner when the sommelier brings the wine list and there it is...
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