Born from Max Schubert's famed Grange trials in the mid-20th century, Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz is one of Penfolds most sought-after red blend wines. Its distinct personality showcases the benefits of cross-varietal and multi-regional blending, with complex aromatics, palate richness and decades of cellaring capability.
Bin 389 is often referred to as ‘Baby Grange’, in part because components of the wine are matured in the same barrels that held the previous vintage of Grange.
First made in 1960 by the legendary Max Schubert, this was the wine that helped forge Penfolds reputation with red wine drinkers by combining the structure of cabernet sauvignon with the richness of shiraz. Exemplifying a judicious balance of fruit and oak, Bin 389 cabernet shiraz highlights the generous mid-palate Penfolds in known for.
Bin 389 also stands as one of Australia’s most iconic wines, thanks to its uniquely Australian blend of two red wine varietals. Cabernet Shiraz is not a common wine outside of Australian borders, but Penfolds have pioneered this style and champion it as a quintessentially Australian red blend wine.
Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz is one of Australia’s most collected wines, recognised for its heritage, consistency and long-term cellaring potential. Its first vintage was in 1960 with its creation connected to the development of Grange and Max Schubert’s ambition of creating a ‘dynasty of wines which all bear an unmistakable resemblance to each other’.
Bin 389 epitomises Penfolds winemaking philosophy and the benefits of cross-varietal and multi-regional blending. Max Schubert always favoured warmer-climate fruit as a source for the wine. Since the mid-1990s Bin 389 has drawn fruit from around South Australia, including Barossa Valley, Coonawarra, Padthaway, McLaren Vale, Langhorne Creek, Wrattonbully, Clare Valley and Robe. Exacting specifications of ripeness, classic Penfolds winemaking and strict classification of wines after maturation have ensured the style has remained consistent since the beginning.
Most high-quality wines will improve with age. As Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz matures over the passage of time it will slowly evolve, developing greater complexity and bottle-aged characters. Complex reactions occur during the maturation process, creating new aromas and flavours as the structure of the wine gradually changes.
Ideally, buy a few bottles of each wine you intend to cellar and periodically assess the development of the wine. By doing so, you will discover what the ideal ‘drinking window’ is for each of your wines, in accordance with your own palate.
The blend of cabernet sauvignon and shiraz is known today as the iconic ‘Great Australian Red’ blend. The intense fruit flavours and bold tannins of cabernet are rounded by rich and velvety mid-palate fruit flavours from the shiraz, resulting in a complex flavour profile and a harmonious multi-varietal wine.
