Region and Vineyards
Bin 704 is sourced exclusively from the Napa Valley, a region globally recognised for its benchmark Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2019 growing season in Napa began with excellent winter rainfall, saturating soils and providing optimal conditions for spring budburst. Though spring was cooler and wetter than in recent years, a warm and stable summer promoted steady ripening, while cool nights in August allowed flavour concentration and acidity retention.
Harvest was slightly later than average, with yields close to long-term norms. The resulting fruit was pristine, showcasing bright varietal expression, balanced natural acidity, and powdery tannins—ideal attributes for a structured yet expressive wine. The vintage is now regarded as one of finesse and freshness, especially favourable for Cabernet.
Winemaking
Composed of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, Bin 704 2019 honours Penfolds' ethos of purity and regional identity. The wine was aged for 17 months in French oak barriques, 40% new, which contributes elegance, structural backbone, and spice without overwhelming the fruit.
The vinification reflects Penfolds' multi-decade expertise: balance is key, with the oak lending framework and dimension, while the fruit remains centre stage. Bin 704 intentionally mirrors Bin 407 (from Australia), but through a distinctly Napa expression, capturing the cool intensity and minerality of the valley's best sites.
Tasting Notes
- Color: Saturated core with a luminous crimson rim.
- Aroma: Intensely varietal with a Napa edge—red currant, pomegranate, and barberry meet sweet and savoury spice: paprika, sumac, rose water, and saffron. Subtle patisserie notes of dark cherry pie and chocolate mousse mingle with French oak's cedar and spice. A touch of ferrous minerality lends precision and definition.
- Palate: A seamless texture glides across the palate, combining succulent acidity with firm varietal structure. A graphite core anchors flavours of dense black fruits, sweet spice, and mulberry. Supple and elegant, yet quietly powerful, the wine lingers with confidence and poise. Built to age gracefully.
Did you know?
Bin 704 is named as a mirror image of Bin 407, Penfolds' iconic Australian Cabernet. This naming symbolizes the stylistic inversion: New World terroir (California) viewed through Old World craftsmanship, but always within the Penfolds framework of precision and longevity.
Wine Pairing Ideas
- Grilled filet mignon with wild mushroom jus: A natural match for the wine's black fruit core and cedar-spice lift.
- Peking duck with hoisin glaze: The acidity and red fruit balance the sweetness and umami of the dish.
- Aged gouda or mimolette: Firm textures and nutty-savoury flavours echo the wine's structure and subtle oak.
- Roasted beet and goat cheese salad with walnuts: Earthy, tangy, and texturally harmonious with the wine's brightness and minerality.
