Created in the 1990s as part of the evolving Penfolds white wine development program, Bin 51 captures many of the attributes of the Eden Valley locale. The region’s high altitude and cool climate induces riesling with great finesse and elegance with a capacity for long-term cellaring. South Australia has gained worldwide recognition for producing definitive world-class riesling and Eden Valley always features. In their youth, the wines possess scented floral and citrus aromas, with a mineral edge and marked natural acidity,contributing significantly to the palate texture and flavour. The evolution of Penfolds Bin 51 Eden Valley Riesling opens another chapter in a long history of Penfolds involvement in winemaking from this variety.
Varietal | Riesling |
---|---|
Vintage | 2019 |
Country | Australia |
Region | Eden Valley |
Volume | 750 mL |
Closure | Screw Cap |
Alc/Vol | 12.5% |
Peak Drinking | Now - 2026 |
Winemaker | The Penfolds Team |
97 points | Andrew Caillard |
"Pale colour. Classic pure lime camomile aromas with herb garden notes. Well concentrated supple wine with lovely deep set generous pure lime, passionfruit, camomile flavours, extra-fine bitter chalky textures, mid-palate volume and long fresh indelible mouth-watering acidity. Finishes minerally with superb fruit persistency. Buoyant and delicious to drink with lovely richness and zip. Really can’t get much better than this. Will develop and unfold for years. 97 Points."
When opened and swirled mandarin, lemon cordial and orange blossom aromatics are immediately unleashed. More so than manifesting Eden Valley’s archetypal floral aromas... a warmer-than-average growing season has left its imprint. Upon closer inspection, hints of lavender talc, lychee and the faintest waft of cardamom spice. No doubting variety, style and region!
A slightly fuller Riesling akin to the Bin 51’s of the early 2000’s, no doubt due to the drier and warmer 2019 Eden Valley harvest. Tempting flavours of lemon tea cake, apple strudel with jasmine florals and Tahitian lime leaf round out a palate nevertheless chalky acidity. ‘Softened’ and very approachable now. Recommend more immediate drinking, with medium-term Eden Valley Riesling cellarability. Partake.
Cool-climate Eden Valley is no lush farmland with gently undulating hills: its rugged, windswept terrain and steeply sloping gradients are peppered with rocky outcrops and gnarled gum trees. Eden Valley’s ancient soils and its varied topography nourish a range of distinctive, aromatic and elegant wines. Traditional grape growing in the region focuses on sustainability and authenticity.
The 2019 vintage is a story of quality over quantity. Like the rest of South Australia’s growing regions, Eden Valley had a very dry winter and spring. These conditions continued through summer with hot and dry weather in January and February. The prevailing conditions resulted in one of the lowest yielding vintages on record. The resultant dry conditions meant there was no disease pressure. Riesling grapes exhibited terrific varietal character, with bracing natural acidity.
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.