2016 Bin 169 Cabernet Sauvignon

Description

The selection of vineyard sites and quality of fruit have always underpinned Penfolds reputation. Over a 175-year history, Penfolds has owned and leased some of the best vineyard sites in Australia, and work with carefully selected growers to stay true to our fruit-first philosophy of multi-vineyard, multi-regional sourcing.Today, Penfolds vineyards are located primarily across South Australia finest wine regions. At the heart is Penfolds Magill Estate. Dr Christopher and Mary Penfold planted the first vines here back in 1844, and even today Magill Vineyard still contributes fruit to Grange when vintage conditions allow.The Penfolds winemaking philosophy is unbound by country, vine or time. This endeavour continues with Penfolds venture into California. Magill Estate is intrinsically linked to Penfolds beginnings and is the location of the winery spiritual home first established in 1844. A single vineyard monopole, Magill Estate is one of the world’s few urban vineyards, located only 15 minutes from the Adelaide CBD. The vineyard is 100% shiraz and fruit from the vineyard contributes to Magill Estate Shiraz, with select parcels also being submitted to Penfolds flagship, Grange, in chosen vintages.The ancient soils of the Barossa Valley are home to many of our most celebrated vineyards. The region and some of the vineyards are steeped in history, including Penfolds own Kalimna Block 42 vines which were planted in 1880’s and are thought to be the oldest continuously-producing cabernet sauvignon vines in the world.Our Barossa Valley vineyards contribute fruit to some of our most iconic wines from Grange to Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz, Bin 28 Kalimna Shiraz and the sub-region expression of Bin 150 Maraga Shiraz.On the city doorstep, the cooler climate of the Adelaide Hills is ideal for cultivating most of Penfolds whites and pinots. The combination of high altitude and cool climate gives the wines their contemporary and distinctive profile. Our Adelaide Hills vineyards contribute fruit to our award-winning Reserve Bin A Chardonnay, St Henri Shiraz and Cellar Reserve range.A classic Mediterranean climate with cool winters, warm summers, low rainfall and moderating sea breezes. McLaren Vale vineyards contribute fruit to St Henri Shiraz, Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz and Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon.Weathered limestone under terra rossa soils and a relatively cool climate make Coonawarra one of Australia most important fine wine regions. The Coonawarra region is best known for cabernet sauvignon and shiraz. These vineyard contributes fruit to Grange, Bin 128 Coonawarra Shiraz and many of our special Bin Series wines.South Australia has gained worldwide recognition for producing definitive world-class riesling, with the Eden Valley at the head of the field. Eden Valley vineyards contribute fruit for Bin 51 Riesling.

Tasting Notes

Tight, fine, and focused. At this stage pre-release, much still to be resolved in the bottle, yet fruits are immediately and brazenly revealed red mulberry, red plums, persimmon. Endowed with a statuesque framework and definition, yet leaving flavours alone a touch of vanillin bean and Coonawarra red brick dust and chalkiness, and dare we say limestone! Racy acidity needs to settle (as it will), yet the tannins are already relaxed fine and silky elongating ever so intriguingly on the back palate. Still so tightly bound awaiting time to fatten up in the bottle. Patience required, as is more often than not the want of Coonawarra cabernet sauvignon.