Bin 149 Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 Gift Box
Penfolds
Bin 149 Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 Gift Box
Overview
Overview
Penfolds Bin 149 Cabernet Sauvignon seeks out Northern Hemisphere excellence via meticulous vineyard and block selection, reinforced by flagship-worthy South Australian cabernet sauvignon. The result is distinctive, and of distinction. Bin 149’s name is derived from the percentage of South Australian cabernet sauvignon synergistically woven into the blend. Napa Valley regional sourcing seeks to showcase strong tannic foundations, dark fruit intensity but with the added dimension of a unique “worldly” disposition. Matured in French and American oak, this release highlights Penfolds commitment to quality and winemaking approach.
| Varietal | Cabernet Sauvignon |
|---|---|
| Vintage | 2019 |
| Country | United States |
| Region | Multi-Region Blend |
| Volume | 750 mL |
| Closure | Cork |
| Alc/Vol | 14.5% |
| Peak Drinking | Now – 2037 |
Awards and Accolades
Awards and Accolades
| 97 Points | Andrew Caillard MW |
| 96+ Points | Erin Larkin, Robert Parker Wine Advocate |
| 96+ Points | Lisa Perrotti-Brown |
| 96 Points | Huon Hooke |
| 96 Points | Tyson Stelzer |
| 94 Points | Ken Gargett, The World of Fine Wine |
Andrew Caillard MW | The Vintage Journal
"Deep crimson. A profoundly complex wine with beautiful dark cherry, blackcurrant mocha aromas, hints of rose garden and graphite. Dense and richly flavoured with pure blackcurrant/ black cherry fruits, fine loose-knit bittersweet chocolaty textures, well balanced mocha/ vanilla oak and fresh long mineral acidity. Finishes cedar firm with seductive dark fruits. Very impressive wine with presence, potential longevity and finesse. Maturation for 17 months in new French (80%) and new American (20%) oak. Drink 2024–2040+. 14.5% alc"
Erin Larkin | Robert Parker Wine Advocate
"The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Bin 149 saw 100% new oak, 80% French and 20% American. The fruit here is really powerful and drives the wine through the front palate, middle and finish. It is concentrated and long and undeterred. This is seriously smart and shows precision and detail in both the winemaking and fruit. The three Californian wines form an equal step up each time of quality, concentration and complexity—as it should be, frankly—which makes for very satisfying drinking. It contains 10.9% Australian Cabernet Sauvignon (a blend of A1 grade Coonawarra and Barossa Valley). This will drink very well early, but it will also cellar gracefully for over a decade or more. My assessment of the blend in this instance is that the sweetness of the American and Australian fruit find simpatico with one another—the dovetail is seamless – 96+ points."
Taste Description
Taste Description
Nose
There is an otherworldly aromatic element that is hard to define, a natural result of two hemispheres united by one winemaking philosophy.
The Arabian spice souk leads the charge: dark, savoury spice blends – harissa, baharat, cloves, nutmeg, pimento, cinnamon, fennel, anise.
Deli meats provide further appeal: pastrami, jamón ibérico, finocchiona.
Generous fruits, fresh punnets of blackberry, cassis liqueur, dehydrated blood orange. Pistachio ice-cream, pistachio nougat, shavings of bitter orange chocolate and cola. A spicy dust tickles, tantalising.
Flavours and Palate
For a nose that is so spicy, the plush generous fruit driven palate is entirely surprising. Liquorice, poached quince, fresh black figs, summer berry pudding with icing sugar dusting.
The palate is focused, tapering to a fine point, defined.
Fine and grainy tannins hold the layers of fruit together, offering papery texture/complexity. A succulent red fruit finish leaves a steely edge.
Approachable, certainly. However, a patient spell in the cellar will deliver ample reward.
Viticulture Vintage & Winemaking
Viticulture Vintage & Winemaking
Vintage Conditions
Excellent winter rainfall ensured the soil was fully saturated at the beginning of the growing season. Spring was cooler and wetter than recent years, resulting in a two-week delay to budburst and flowering. May rainfall was especially helpful in maintaining the soil moisture profile. Warm summer weather had the vines moving along well making up for the slow start to the season. August was characterised by warm days and cool nights, optimal conditions for veraison. Harvest across the region was one to two weeks later than usual with yields close to long-term average. A good vintage for cabernet sauvignon, with grapes showing bright acidity, powdery tannins, and strong varietal flavours.
Above-average winter and spring rainfall offered the vines in South Australia healthy soil moisture profiles for the growing season. Cool conditions slowed vine growth in early spring with temperatures gradually warming in October. The late budburst, flowering and subsequent veraison delayed the commencement of harvest. There was plentiful rain during the growing season and no prolonged heatwaves recorded during the summer months, with only a few days reaching 40ºC. Weather conditions during the final stages of ripening were dry with March rainfall below the long-term average. April was mild, allowing for an orderly completion of harvest. The prevailing autumnal conditions favoured fully ripened grapes with well-developed colours and flavours.
The Penfolds Team
Key to the success of Penfolds has been a lineage of visionary winemakers. There have only ever been four Chief Winemakers at the helm of Penfolds – Max Schubert, Don Ditter, John Duval and Peter Gago, each a custodian of a rich winemaking tradition that goes back for more than 170 years.
Our current Penfolds winemaking team has more than 100 years between them as Penfolds winemakers. They are constantly refining and improving their work, whilst honouring the winemaking techniques of their predecessors.