Penfolds : Bin 128 Coonawarra Shiraz 2020

The balance and richness of a South Australian Shiraz by Penfolds

The estate

Voted New World Winery of the Year in 2013 by the prestigious Wine Enthusiast magazine, the Penfolds estate had already established itself as an emblem of Australia's great wines thanks to the unparalleled determination of Mary Penfold in the 19th century. Indeed, the co-founder of Penfolds Winery devoted herself body and soul to crafting exceptional wines. This lifetime of work is reflected in the estate's success in establishing itself as a benchmark among South Australian wines. When Max Schubert joined the Penfolds adventure in the 1950s, he instilled in the estate's wines the elegance of the great Bordeaux wines that fascinated him so much. Success was not long in coming when the cellar master created his famous Grange cuvée, which crossed Australian borders to conquer wine lovers around the world.

The vineyard

Penfolds Bin 128 Shiraz 2020 is an Australian wine from the cool Coonawarra region. This area is located in the south-east of South Australia and boasts a unique terroir: the "terra rossa". Measuring 12 kilometers long by 2 wide, its red color comes from the rust present in the limestone soil. This terroir is ideal for vines as it is free-draining. The cool climate is due to the Southern Ocean, which brings breezes that temper the summer heat.

The wine

Penfolds Bin 128 Shiraz 2020 is crafted with grapes from a unique terroir: the "Terra Rossa" in Coonawarra. This region is optimal for producing Shiraz; the wines are elegant and fine, typical of cool climate zones. The first vintage of this cuvée dates back to 1962.

The vintage

Spring was cold with a frost episode that slowed bud development. Flowering took place during a cool period which reduced the number of berries per bunch. The very warm summer necessitated the use of irrigation. Fortunately, January was cooler leading up to the harvest. Yields were very low but quality was very high.

Winemaking and ageing

After harvest and fermentation, the wine is aged for 12 months in 300-liter French oak hogsheads, including 20% new oak, to highlight Australian methods.

Blend

Shiraz (100%).

Characteristics and tasting tips for Penfolds: Bin 128 Coonawarra Shiraz 2020

Tasting

Color
Dense, the wine has a beautiful dark ruby color.

Nose
The nose mixes aromas of spices like white pepper, black fruits such as blueberry, leather, chocolate as well as garrigue aromas.

Palate
The delicious character evoked by red fruits and good acidity highlight a beautiful structure accompanied by coating tannins. The finish is long and silky.

Food and wine pairing

Game meats or beef will pair perfectly with this wine.

Serving

The ideal serving temperature is between 16 and 18 degrees.

Cellaring potential

Penfolds Bin 128 Coonawarra Shiraz 2020 would benefit from being tasted between 2023 and 2036 to reveal its full aromatic palette.