Steeped in Penfolds winemaking tradition yet still embracing modernity, Bin 704 seeks to redefine Napa Valley Cabernet through a Penfolds lens. Being mindful of varietal nuances, regional essence, and silk-like textural definition, the wine is nurtured in French barriques for maturation. The name Bin 704 draws inspiration as a Northern hemisphere reflection of its Australian Bin 407 stablemate.
The 2022 vintage brings Napa Valley’s varietal nuances with Penfolds House Style in a showcase of succulent, generous black fruit and slate-like tannins. Drinking beautifully in youth, it promises to indulge with bottle maturation.
Varietal | Cabernet Sauvignon |
---|---|
Vintage | 2022 |
Country | United States |
Region | Napa Valley |
Volume | 750 mL |
Closure | Cork |
Alc/Vol | 14.5% |
Peak Drinking | Now - 2043 |
Winemaker | The Penfolds Team |
98 Points | Huon Hooke |
97 Points | Ray Jordan |
96 Points | Dave Brookes |
95 Points | Andrew Caillard MW |
"Saturated purple colour with a harmonious bouquet of roses, black and red fruits, cedar, pomegranate and floral/violet nuances, a hint of fragrant talcum powder, the palate concentrated and focused, deep and elegantly shaped, with glorious flavour and fine. A thoroughly beautiful wine. Drink 2026–2047. 98 Points."
"Immediately strikes with aromas of dark chocolate and blackcurrant. There’s a subtle dried meats and bay leaf influence adding further to a complex aromatic. The palate is deeply concentrated with powerful fruit, harnessed by the firm core of tannin and oak. It’s an incredibly bright and vibrant wine, perfectly balanced and poised. 97 Points."
"Deep crimson. Fresh pure blackcurrant, mulberry panforte aromas with hints of black liquorice and spice. Generously concentrated cassis, panforte, dark chocolate flavours, fine grained tannins and plentiful mocha, roasted chestnut notes. Chocolaty and bittersweet at the finish. Very well balanced and clear fruited with superb oak integration and mineral length. Drink now – 2038. 14.5% alc. 95 Points."
A gentle swirl introduces warm and inviting aromatics, with comforting notes reminiscent of a French pâtisserie. First noted, sweet, creamy scents of vanilla custard and Portuguese tarts. A nod to winemaking is evident through the characteristic barrel fermentation note, a synergetic meld of fruit and oak which introduces a layer of complexity. An unexpected twist comes from the scent of cordite, enriched by the herbal freshness of bay leaf. The aroma is rounded off with a touch of dustiness, suggesting aromatic complexity is driven by both varietal and terroir influences.
Slate-like tannins create a firm yet flexible structure, producing tension in the mouthfeel. The aromatic spectrum is reproduced on the palate. The warm, comforting notes of blueberry muffins and cinnamon cake add a homely familiarity. The mid-palate is ably supported by generous dark cherry flavours. A blend of red and blue fruits is present, with the juicy vibrancy of redcurrant standing out. The acidity is refreshing, invigorating the fruit flavours and ensuring a bright and engaging tasting experience. Drinking beautifully in the flush of youth, with more to promise for those with discipline.
Abundant autumn and winter rainfall at the end of 2021 and the start of 2022 alleviated the three-year drought. The mild spring brought a promising early beginning, with budburst and flowering slightly ahead of the curve. With ample rainfall, the vines developed healthy protective canopies. A more intense heatwave in September forced growers to decide whether to harvest their crop early or ride out the heat. Many growers decided to do both, allowing for a range of blending components. The vintage produced smaller berries with concentrated flavours and remarkable acidity, resulting in balanced wines.
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.