Penfolds Bin 149 Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 750ml

Penfolds Bin 149 derives its name from the percentage of South Australian Cabernet Sauvignon that’s woven into the blend. Its unique worldly disposition sets it apart from other California wines and is a testament to the power of the legendary Penfolds House Style. A wine both distinctive and of distinction, Bin 149 showcases a multidimensional palate of strong Napa Valley tannins and intense dark fruit, with an Australian twist. Aromas are focused, with sweet iced tea, savoury caperberries, French polish, and heady barrel ferment characters of mocha and kirsch tapering to a precise point. Further notes include grated ginger, cola, green olive, caraway seeds, and a Bordelaise sauce richness. Classically Penfolds in character, yet altogether different in structure, the palate features fine, close-knit tannins and a menthol lift with flavours of cedar, sandalwood, and roasted meats. Bright acidity provides succulence and a sustained finish.

97 Points James Suckling

Lots of blackberry, currant, light chocolate and hazelnut. This is rather dense and plush but shows impressive layers of tannins that have a rough velvet texture. Juicy and intense fruit. The grapes come from the AVAs of Rutherford, Calistoga, and Oakville and then spread across Napa. 14.9% come from South Australia. A global wine. In the end, it’s nicely toned and curated. Needs three or four years to come together. Try after 2025.

96 Points - Decanter

A 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, combining 85.1% fruit from the Napa Valley (predominantly from Oakville, Rutherford and Calistoga AVAs) and the remainder from several of Penfolds’ South Australian vineyards, moving it beyond the expected Napa Cab expression to instead exert its own unique personality. The Australian component introduces rich, lifted aromas of blueberry and blackberry, and a more opulent fruit presence. It adds freshness and vibrancy to the dense Napa body, resulting in a vivacious, cheery red still bound by firm tannins.

95 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

A good portion, 85.1%, of this "Wine of the World" comes from America. In fact, the American component all comes from Napa. "There are some great vineyards going in here," Peter Gago informed me. "We are buying some fruit for this, but most of it comes off our own vineyards." By "own vineyards," Gago refers to the considerable land holdings of Treasury Wine Estates, which now owns iconic Napa names such as Beringer, Sterling Vineyards and Stags’ Leap Winery. The major component of this component, 28%, comes from Rutherford, with the other components "cherry-picked" from across the Napa region. So, that is the American wine part of this wine.

95 Points - Wine Enthusiast

This wine is a blend of grapes from Napa Valley (85.1%) and South Australia (14.9%). A tannic structure gives way to welcome juiciness of tangy cranberry and currant flavours. French and American oak aging imparts a moderate level of toast and vanilla tones, with accents of cedar, dried herbs and black pepper chiming in. The bright acidity lasts through a long, supple finish.