The inaugural Bin 21 Grenache was sourced from vines in the Barossa Valley, some planted as far back as the 1930s. Grenache has thrived in these ancient soils since the 1840s. The climate of the Barossa Valley is not dissimilar to the warm, dry regions of Europe where the origins of the varietal can be traced. In subsequent releases, we have also sourced Grenache grapes from the storied vineyards of McLaren Vale, a wine region established by European migrants in 1838. The region is held in very high regard for this varietal and boasts some of the oldest vines in Australia.
The 2024 release immediately captivates with a bright and alluring perfume of floral notes and exotic spice. With fruit sourced from Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale, it delivers a harmonious balance of freshness and structure.
Varietal | Grenache |
---|---|
Vintage | 2024 |
Country | Australia |
Region | Multi Region |
Volume | 750 mL |
Closure | Screw Cap |
Alc/Vol | 14.5% |
Peak Drinking | Now - 2035 |
Winemaker | The Penfolds Team |
95 Points | Lisa Cardelli |
95 Points | Nick Ryan |
95 Points | Ray Jordan |
95 Points | Dave Brookes |
"An interplay of Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale. Raspberries, blood plums, dark cherries, strawberries, and pomegranate; the exotic aspect is neither intrusive nor dominant. The level of concentration, fruit sweetness, and dried extract is fantastic with balanced alcohol, finesse and persistency. The appealing spicy notes from the oak, with a hint of that alcohol generosity only meeting at the very end. The level of freshness is also off the charts. Serious Grenache with plenty of life ahead of it, yet already approachable. 95 Points."
"A grenache of dark depth and effusive fragrance. Shamelessly seductive. Ripe raspberries from the market stall AND the candy store, pomegranate and quince. Stemmy, sappy grip, crushed rock tannins. 95 Points."
"This is a wine that nails the modern style of grenache. It’s a combination of Barossa and McLaren Vale fruit. Has a light strawberry and light rose petal nuance on the nose. Colour is bright and slightly translucent with a pinkish crimson hue on the edges. The nose is beautifully perfumed and lively with tremendous intensity. The palate shows excellent fruit concentration presented with a focus and precision. 95 Points."
A distinctive minerality immediately strikes the palate, a signature of the terroirs from which this Grenache hails. The acid is crunchy and invigorating, laying the foundation for a blend of red fruits that dance across the palate. The texture of the palate is notable, with papery tannins, suggesting an elegant and refined structure. This wine is a testament to the varietal’s potential for both finesse and power, capturing the essence of its origins, offering a tasting experience that is both refreshing and complex.
This wine immediately captivates with a bright and alluring perfume. A gentle swirl unfurls a bouquet of floral notes, where violet melds with rose petals and sweet tapioca pearl tea. Cardamom brings an exotic spice element, weaving with the deeper tones of blackberry. Toasty oak nuances linger in the background, subtly influencing the wine’s aromatics with a touch of cedar and spice.
Home to the oldest vines in the country, and no less than 18 wine growing regions, South Australia accounts for almost 50% of Australia’s wine production. The Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Langhorne Creek and Coonawarra are well known for their world class reds, with Adelaide Hills, Clare Valley and Eden Valley praised for their exceptional Chardonnay and Riesling.
The 2024 growing season for Grenache in the Barossa Valley contended with challenges stemming from a dry winter and spring, with rainfall 28% below the long-term average. This dry spell heightened frost risks in the Barossa Valley, with several incidents reported in early spring. However, significant rainfall in late November and December brought welcome relief to both regions and positively impacted yields. An early hot spell on November 10th pushed the mercury to 41°C in the Barossa Valley, while it nudged 35°C in McLaren Vale. December brought cooler and wetter conditions, with a heavy thunderstorm rolling through in early December. February and March were drier and warmer than average. March was exceptionally warm, setting records for South Australia. Despite some tricky weather, Grenache quality was high, with ripe flavours and good colour. Low yields, coupled with healthy canopies, were instrumental in achieving excellent fruit quality.
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.