Penfolds Bin 98 Quantum Wine of the World 2018
Penfolds has been producing remarkable wines since 1844 and indisputably led the development of Australian fine wine in the modern era. The introduction of Penfolds Grange in 1951 forever changed the landscape of Australian fine wine. Since then a series of stand-out wines both white and red have been released under the Penfolds masthead.
Peter Gago, Penfolds Chief Winemaker and only the 4th custodian of Grange, relishes the opportunity to bring Penfolds to the world stage and is an enthusiastic ambassador and natural educator. Penfolds came to the attention of the US market when 1990 Grange was Wine Spectator’s ‘Wine of the Year’. Since then, Penfolds Grange has become one of the most collectable wines of the world.
“THIS BLEND ASSEMBLES PARCELS OF PRIZED CABERNET SAUVIGNON FROM SOME OF THE NAPA VALLEY’S BEST VINEYARDS AND PEDIGREED SHIRAZ FROM SOUTH AUSTRALIA. THIS IS A FIRST FOR PENFOLDS.”– Peter Gago, Penfolds Chief Winemaker
A blue-berried wash and glistening film covers the palate with conviction. Viscous/marbled texture combines with suppleness and acid succulence. Respectful acidity tightens the palate, clenching/compressing around a core of graphite and hazelnut: Graphite confirms varietal and identity. Hazelnut confirms oak maturation. A plush texture which cushions the palate. Exotic intrigue. Sweetness that dials up over time with air. All boxes ticked.
Penfolds has been producing remarkable wines since 1844 and indisputably led the development of Australian fine wine in the modern era. The introduction of Penfolds Grange in 1951 forever changed the landscape of Australian fine wine. Peter Gago, Penfolds Chief Winemaker and only the 4th custodian of Grange, relishes the opportunity to bring Penfolds to the world stage.
Steeped in Penfolds winemaking tradition yet still embracing modernity, Bin 704 seeks to redefine Napa Valley cabernet through a Penfolds lens. Impressive is the cyclical nature of viticulture and winemaking, and Penfolds recognizes that different hemispheres often end up being the mirror image of the other. The name Bin 704 draws inspiration from the “mirror” or “reverse” image of its Australian Bin 407 stablemate, a wine which also respects varietal expression.
“Penfolds started exploring California back in the 1980s with a major shareholding investment in Geyser Peak Winery. This saw the first Penfolds winemakers making wine on Californian soil, then they returned in the 1990s with vine cuttings from some of Penfolds most esteemed South Australian vineyards,” Gago says.
Cuttings came from Penfolds’ Heritage Selections program of the 1980s that identified the single vineyards, blocks and ultimately single vines that produced the best quality fruit. These cuttings were then planted on land the company bought at Camatta Hills, Paso Robles in 1997. So what has happened to the fruit in the intervening years? Experimental Penfolds/Camatta Hills vintages occurred in 2006 and 2007. These bottlings were never commercially released by Penfolds; however, they were kept for historical reference.
What sticks with you about this global blend of Napa and Southern Australian wine is the intense and transparent purple and blue fruit. Lots of blackberry and blueberry aromas with some stones and flowers, such as violets. It’s a very layered and intense wine with very refined, creamy and chewy tannins. Full and very impressive. Very Penfolds. Mouth-filling texture. It’s made mostly from Napa grapes and predominantly from Oakville and Diamond Mountain. About one-fifth is from South Australia. Aged in 80% new American oak and 20% new French. - James Suckling, 98 pts
A Wine of the World is a big statement, and this blend of 87% Napa Valley Cabernet with South Australian Shiraz creates a purposeful bridge between two national styles. The Cabernet is typically Napa (from the Oakville and Diamond Mountain District AVAs): stern and solid, flexing powerful muscle as earth and iodine notes speak much louder than fruit sweetness. The addition of Shiraz (an elite component, considered for Grange inclusion) isn’t obvious, yet its influence is profound, with a hint of ripe plum adding a vivid burst of color to the dark flavor spectrum. The two varieties strike a happy equilibrium on the mid-palate, wrapping generous layers of rich fruit and supple texture into a seamless weave. - Decanter, 97 pts
The first release of this new iconoclastic label, the 2018 Quantum Bin 98 is labeled as a 'Wine of the World,' although the AVA is the United States and technically 87% is American wine (Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley), while 13% is Australian ('Grade A1' Shiraz from South Australia). The wine spent 16 months in oak, 100% new, 80% American oak and 20% French. In fact, the wine is made very much like Grange, in that it completes fermentation in new, mainly American oak barrels. - Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, 97+ pts
The flagship wine in this range, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Quantum Bin 98 is 87% Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and 13% South Australia Shiraz. Blackberry jam, bittersweet chocolate, espresso, licorice, cloves and gravel infuse the 2018 with tons of character and complexity. Dense and opulent to the core, the Bin 98 possesses tremendous intensity. I would give if a few years in bottle to fully come together. - Vinous, 97 pts
The inaugural release of this red combines 87% Cabernet Sauvignon with 13% Shiraz, using grapes from both Napa Valley and South Australia. Dark and brooding, it delivers a smooth, textured palate of bright red fruit and supple, integrated tannins, with meaty undertones along a continuum of black pepper, graphite and leather. - Wine Enthusiast, 95 pts
