Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 2020

Region and Vineyards

The 2020 vintage of Bin 389 draws fruit from three of South Australia's most important viticultural zones: McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley, and Padthaway. Each contributes a distinct regional signature that forms the foundation of the wine's complexity and depth. McLaren Vale delivers plush texture and dark-fruited ripeness, while Barossa lends power, structure, and a rich concentration of flavour. Padthaway, further south and cooler in climate, imparts freshness and fine acidity, helping to frame the blend with precision and lift.

The growing season began under challenging circumstances, with a second consecutive winter of drought conditions. Spring was notably dry and cool, delaying budburst and flowering and affecting yields, particularly in Barossa and Padthaway, which experienced late frost. The summer was marked by high temperatures, including over 25 days above 35°C in the Barossa. Fortunately, rainfall in February, especially in McLaren Vale, provided much-needed relief. Though harvest volumes were low, the surviving fruit showed remarkable concentration and balance—ideal for a wine that relies on richness without excess. The result is a Bin 389 of great character and structural clarity, sourced from parcels selected for their aromatic integrity and regional expression.

Winemaking

Penfolds Bin 389 2020 is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz, though exact proportions are not publicly disclosed. The philosophy behind the blend is clear: Cabernet Sauvignon offers the skeletal frame—linearity, tannic grip, and aging potential—while Shiraz contributes flesh, spice, and mid-palate amplitude. The interplay between the two is one of the hallmarks of Penfolds' red winemaking legacy.

The wine was matured for 12 months in American oak hogsheads, of which 33% were new, with the remainder comprising barrels previously used to age Penfolds Grange. This detail is more than symbolic—these seasoned casks lend subtle Grange-like complexity without dominating the fruit. American oak brings classic notes of vanilla, coconut, and spice, but in the case of Bin 389, these characters are integrated rather than overt. The winemaking approach focuses on texture and structure, resulting in a wine that is immediately engaging yet capable of evolving gracefully over decades. The 2020 vintage of Bin 389 is a testament to the power of blending—not only of grape varieties, but of vineyards, barrels, and time.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Deep garnet with a vibrant crimson rim.
• Aroma: Aromatics unfold in layers—baking spice, cinnamon scrolls, Italian Crostoli, and vanilla bean signal the sweet lift of American oak. Fruit aromas are densely packed: black cherry, ripe plum, raspberry coulis. Savoury elements of seasoned wagyu, olive tapenade, and sun-dried tomato add intrigue.
• Palate: A wine of precision and scale. Cabernet's line and structure meet Shiraz's roundness and density. The palate is filled with flavours of fennel, radicchio, Moroccan-spiced lamb, and eggplant relish. Red liquorice and cherry lift the finish. Creamy and full-bodied with fine, evolved tannins driving a long, layered finish. Youthful yet cellar-worthy.

Did you know?

Bin 389 earned the nickname "Baby Grange" because it is matured in the same barrels previously used for Penfolds Grange. It is one of the earliest and most celebrated examples of blending Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz, a uniquely Australian tradition.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Chargrilled lamb backstrap with eggplant relish: Enhances the wine's savoury spice and generous mid-palate.
• Beef short ribs braised in red wine: Echoes the wine's depth and rich tannins.
• Roasted root vegetables with harissa and fennel: A vibrant plant-based pairing that mirrors the wine's spice and freshness.
• Aged cheddar or Manchego: Bold cheeses match the wine's structure and oak complexity.

History of Penfolds

Penfolds was established by Dr Christopher and Mary Penfold, English immigrants who planted vines at Magill Estate near Adelaide with the original intention of producing medicinal fortified wines. By the late 19th century, the estate had grown to become one of Australia's largest and most respected wineries.

The 20th century marked a turning point in Penfolds' identity. In 1948, Max Schubert was appointed Chief Winemaker. Inspired by his visit to Bordeaux, he created Grange Hermitage (now simply Grange)—a revolutionary wine that initially defied tradition by aging Shiraz in new American oak. Although met with resistance in the early years, Grange would later earn Penfolds international acclaim and define the stylistic foundation of its red winemaking philosophy.

Penfolds continued to innovate throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, introducing benchmark wines like Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon, Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz, and the white flagship Yattarna Chardonnay. The company also pioneered multi-regional and multi-varietal blending, creating house styles that transcended vintage and terroir. In recent years, Penfolds expanded beyond Australian borders, launching California and French collections, including Bin 149 and FWT 585—international projects that still bear the hallmark Penfolds craftsmanship.

Today, Penfolds remains a global reference for both innovation and heritage, with Peter Gago as Chief Winemaker since 2002. Under his leadership, the estate has maintained its legacy while pushing stylistic boundaries worldwide.

Region and Vineyards

Penfolds has revolutionised the concept of terroir in Australia by embracing a multi-regional sourcing philosophy, which stands in deliberate contrast to traditional estate-based viticulture. This approach, first pioneered by Max Schubert in the 1950s with Grange, enables the winemaking team to select the best parcels of fruit from multiple regions each vintage, prioritising stylistic consistency and longevity over single-site expression.

In South Australia, the heartland of Penfolds, fruit is sourced from:

• Barossa Valley - delivers ripe, powerful Shiraz with dense fruit concentration, signature to many Penfolds reds including Grange and RWT.
• McLaren Vale - known for plush, velvety Shiraz and Cabernet with a Mediterranean softness and savoury lift.
• Coonawarra - revered for Cabernet Sauvignon grown on terra rossa soils, bringing linearity, graphite minerality, and firm tannins (notably in Bin 707 and Bin 169).
• Padthaway and Wrattonbully - cooler regions producing Chardonnay and structured red fruit with acidity and finesse.
• Adelaide Hills and Tumbarumba - high-altitude, cool-climate zones crucial for white wine excellence, particularly Yattarna Chardonnay, which is often blended from Tasmania, Tumbarumba and the Hills.
• Magill Estate - the original 1844 vineyard, now urban, still provides fruit for the single-vineyard Magill Estate Shiraz, made on-site.

In addition to its South Australian core, Penfolds expanded its footprint globally:

• In California, it sources from Napa Valley, Sonoma, and Paso Robles, using local fruit and Australian vine cuttings planted in the 1990s. Wines like Bin 149, Bin 704, and Bin 600 reflect this cross-continental identity.
• In France, the FWT 585 project in Haut-Médoc marks Penfolds' reinterpretation of Bordeaux, with Australian blending sensibility applied to Cabernet, Merlot, and Petit Verdot grown on Médoc soils.

This extensive sourcing grants Penfolds enormous flexibility to craft wines across style, ageability, and price, while remaining true to the house signature: mid-palate weight, aromatic lift, fine tannins, and layered structure.

Wine Range of Penfolds

Penfolds' portfolio is one of the most comprehensive in the world, structured around tiered classifications and styles—each with its own purpose and identity.

Icon & Luxury Tier:

• Grange: The flagship. A Shiraz (occasionally with a small Cabernet component) aged in 100% new American oak. It's designed for exceptional longevity (30+ years), complexity, and power.
• Bin 707: A monovarietal Cabernet Sauvignon, often described as the "Cabernet sibling" to Grange. Matured in new American oak, from top Coonawarra and Barossa sites.
• RWT Bin 798: A Barossa Valley Shiraz matured in French oak hogsheads—more supple and floral than Grange, with pronounced terroir expression.
• Yattarna Chardonnay: The white flagship. A cool-climate blend from Tasmania, Tumbarumba, and Adelaide Hills, matured in French oak. Burgundy-inspired in structure and elegance.
• Bin 169: Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon aged in French oak; a more terroir-specific and restrained counterpoint to Bin 707.
• Superblend 802.A & 802.B: Dual bottlings of Cabernet Shiraz blends from the same parcels, aged respectively in American and French oak. Modern, limited-edition icons.

Bin Series (Heritage Tier) - This tier showcases Penfolds' house style in classic multi-regional blends:

• Bin 389: Often called "Baby Grange." A Cabernet Shiraz matured in the same barrels used for Grange the previous year. Structured, ageworthy, and stylistically Penfolds.
• Bin 407: Cabernet Sauvignon from multiple regions, matured in French oak—elegant and aromatic.
• Bin 28: Shiraz showcasing Barossa warmth and Penfolds' mid-palate plushness.
• Bin 128: A French-oaked Shiraz from Coonawarra, with a more linear and spicy profile.
• Bin 138: GSM (Grenache Shiraz Mataro) inspired by Rhône blends—savoury, textured, and floral.

Speciality and Regional Wines

• Cellar Reserve Series: Small-batch, often experimental wines (e.g., Sangiovese, Fiano, Barbera) made in micro-parcels to showcase innovation and alternative varietals or techniques.
• Magill Estate Shiraz: A single-vineyard wine made entirely on-site in Adelaide, showcasing an urban terroir and traditional open fermenters with basket pressing.

Max's Range - A tribute to Max Schubert, designed for early drinking but still retaining Penfolds DNA. Includes:

• Max's Shiraz Cabernet, Max's Cabernet Sauvignon, Max's Chardonnay, Max's Rosé

California Collection:

• Bin 600: A California Cabernet Shiraz blend with Australian vine material.
• Bin 704: Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon aged in French oak—stylistic opposite of Bin 707.
• Bin 149: A "Wine of the World" combining Napa fruit with a small percentage of South Australian Cabernet.

French Collection:

• FWT 585: A Left Bank-style blend made in the Haut-Médoc using Penfolds techniques.
• Champagne collaboration (with Thiénot): Multi-vintage blanc de blancs and blanc de noirs in the Penfolds style.

This tiered structure allows Penfolds to cater to a wide range of consumers, from entry-level enthusiasts to collectors and investors—without ever compromising on technical excellence or stylistic integrity.

Did you know?

Grange is the only Australian wine to be listed as a heritage icon by the National Trust of South Australia. It has been awarded 100 points by international critics multiple times and is recognised as one of the world's greatest wines, often compared to Bordeaux First Growths and Burgundy's Grand Crus.