Penfolds Bin 138 Grenache Shiraz Mataro

It’s a little over 20 years since Penfolds first added the Bin 138 to their line-up, a Barossa blend inspired by the reds of the Rhone Valley in southern France. This is a fruit driven blend of ripe and juicy Grenache (47%), full bodied Baross Shiraz (43%) and Mataro (10%) – also known as Mourvedre in France and Monastrell in Spain.

Bin 138’s always been a big hit with us, it’s one of the first wines we’re keen to knock the top off each Penfolds’ release! We weren’t disappointed with this 2023 release and neither have the usual round of critics…

92/100 (Huon Hooke, The Real Review)
“Deep colour, bright spice, earthy and savoury aromas and flavours, medium-full body, rich and fleshy with good extract and supple tannins. Peppery high notes. Easygoing wine with some sharp-edged spice adding a little astringency to the finish. (56% grenache, 38% shiraz, 6% mataro) “

93/100 (James Halliday’s Wine Companion)
“456/38/6% grenache/shiraz/mataro. Bright magenta-splashed crimson in the glass, with an impressive plummy depth and intensity to its aromatic profile. Fruit notes of dark plum, goji berry and dark cherry fruits meld with hints of baking spices, earth, plum conserve, wood spice, dark chocolate and panforte. Layers of spice and pure plum, and berry fruits on the palate. It shows excellent depth and savoury nuance on the back end and makes for delightful drinking.”

A bright, medium bodied red that’ll drink well between now and into 2037. Head to Penfolds’ own Magill Estate Restaurant and they’ll pair this wine with taro gnocchi with braised hare, roast peppers and saba. Pretty flash, but a slab of good old Kiwi lamb will do just nicely as well.