Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 Saturday, Mar 3 2007
Tasting Notes and Australia and McLaren Vale and Coonawarra and Langhorne Ck and Padthaway and Variety and Red and cabernet et al and Bordertown
I have been drinking quite a lot of 1996 Penfolds 407 recently and maybe that colours my impression of this wine, but I drank it young and loved it, and now I like it even better. An outstanding wine with plenty of years to go. I don’t taste wines blind generally and I don’t care to. I sometimes even read other people’s tasting notes before reviewing but I still manage to form my own opinion. I could give you a dozen reasons for not tasting blind and I am sure advocates of blind tasting could give me a dozen reasons why I should! Be that as it may I’ll stick to my guns for now. ‘That’s me in the corner.That’s me in the spotlight…I thought that I heard you laughing.’ I already know I am out of step with many on this wine but so be it. This took a day to really open up so you do need to be patient with this wine.
Full red purple. Aromas of blackcurrant pastille, licorice, tobacco, dried herbs, mint and delicate spicy cedar vanilla oak. On the palate medium to full bodied with blackcurrant, tobacco, star anise, coffee and some gamey earthy flavours. Tight and compact with firm fine grained tannins and clean fresh acidity. Finishes dry and long with blackcurrant and tobacco flavours. A brilliant wine, one for the long haul, and one I am most certainly going to purchase for the cellar.
Rated : 94+ Points
Tasted : Mar07
Alcohol : 14%
Price : $35
Drink : 2010 - 2024
Source : Winery Sample
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38 Responses to “Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon 2004”
March 3rd, 2007 at 9:10 pm
Nice, I was waiting for this review.
That’s a buy for me
March 3rd, 2007 at 9:21 pm
And me. It is excellent. On the very very verge of 95….
GW
March 3rd, 2007 at 10:29 pm
Losing my religion…do I get a prize for being the first to pick that, do I, do I?
March 3rd, 2007 at 11:23 pm
GW,
Is this still in the traditional 407 mould, or is this a new beginning?
March 4th, 2007 at 9:32 am
Grant I grant you a website with a search function.
Edwardo - traditional.
I’ll retaste the Kalimna and do the 389 and 128s tonight. I am thorough.
GW
March 4th, 2007 at 4:34 pm
GW,
Looks very good. I will be on the lookout for the 407 but also awaiting, with definate enthusiasm, the 389 and 128 notes - Long time faves (Enjoyed a quite good ‘86 389 year before last - had held up very well). Why do we have all the knockers of multi-region blends when you can get wines like these?
March 4th, 2007 at 5:39 pm
Gary Walsh Says:
March 4th, 2007 at 9:32 am
Grant I grant you a website with a search function.
Edwardo - traditional.
I’ll retaste the Kalimna and do the 389 and 128s tonight. I am thorough.
GW
How did I know you would say that! Maybe a week away, just to get you off my back.
GD
March 4th, 2007 at 5:39 pm
Quote:”A brilliant wine, one for the long haul, and one I am most certainly going to purchase for the cellar”
I was going to restrain myself to just the 389 this year.But gotta at least look at 407 and maybe 28. Can’t wait for ‘04 St Henri in a couple of years based on all these notes GW.
BTW- I didn’t think you had any religion to lose!
March 4th, 2007 at 5:54 pm
Well I get called a heathen often enough….anyway just tasting the 389 now. I think we are talking 1996 quality here…but lets wait a bit. Can’t be hasty.
GW
PS. In terms of quantities I think a mixed 6 pack of 407 and 389 is the right amount for me. I am cheap and I also have too much wine
March 4th, 2007 at 8:26 pm
I didn’t like this quite so much, I found a lot more greenness on the nose, all mint and capsicum. The palate was very good though.
GW how do yo think this stacks up against competitors like the 04 Zema and similar?
AB
March 4th, 2007 at 8:32 pm
If you pick it up for $22 odd very favourably. It was closed and greener on opening. A day later it was a different wine. This, I think, is the benefit of a long duration tasting. I would have exactly the same impression as you otherwise.
GW
March 4th, 2007 at 11:04 pm
Hmmm, I took this around to Buzzes tonight masked.
Needs air no doubt.
Didn’t think the nose looked green at all. Saw a streak running through the palate that could be called green, but I’d say more an assertive coffee bean character. Typical big 407. And maybe showing a touch of hotness. Varietal for 407 (if you can say that). I’m going to grab some to drink over the next 2 years. But that’s all. I like it, and I can see me drinking it as a young wine with some rare steak, but I’m not sure I want or expect more from it.
You are generous on this occasion big bum.
March 4th, 2007 at 11:05 pm
No. You are hasty.
GW
March 4th, 2007 at 11:07 pm
Yes you are right, tonight
March 4th, 2007 at 11:09 pm
It looked OK on night one. Night two. Outstanding. Trust me on this….I even tasted a last glass tonight after three days. Excellent wine. One for the cellar.
GW
March 4th, 2007 at 11:17 pm
I have no doubt, none, that it go 15 easy.
March 4th, 2007 at 11:26 pm
Oh and I will add. The depth of palate / focus of tannins and acid in this is probably the best I have seen in 407. I thought they (tannins) were a little blocky actually, but they were very consistent and rounded.
March 5th, 2007 at 10:06 am
I thought the 407 to have a green streak through it, the 128 to be FAQ but the 28 was very good and the 389 outstanding - a real Aussie classic of the blend we imbibers of the 1960’s cut out palates on. Why so few of this old Aussie blend albeit it was out of necessity back in the 60’s and 70’s.
March 13th, 2007 at 11:46 am
Paul,
I agree. I tried the four abovementioned and I totally agree with you. The 128 is indifferent. The 28 showed a good healthy nose and palate but can buy better for even a few bucks more. The 407 certainly has a green streak and is somewhat austere. ‘04 Vasse Felix better by far and worth every cent of the extra $7. I’d like to know the thoughts of others who have tried it. GW would give it a 98+ going by the 94+ he gave the 407. The 389, well, outstanding. Luscious, rich and full bodied. Great colour, thick legs, ripe and delicious and definetely 6 for the cellar. Sorry GW, 407 certainly not 94+.
March 13th, 2007 at 12:26 pm
This wine certainly seems to have divided opinions… I cannot wait to try a bottle myself…
March 13th, 2007 at 12:39 pm
I do agree with GW in that a prolonged tasting is always of more benefit than at a store or cellar door. I suppose the 407 just didn’t impress me enough to warrant a second look. Reviewing my tasting notes I did write - “OK but does nothing for me. Do not buy for cellar”. On the other hand the 389 was a different story.
March 13th, 2007 at 12:50 pm
I fall into the less than excited camp. On the nose it is very varietal but the palate is a very big let down, quite green and even coarse and seems extremely acid to me.
March 14th, 2007 at 8:47 am
I think Huon Hooke has one of the most bang on palates in Australia. He said this in yesterdays Good Living -
‘Another superb cabernet under the ‘junior 707′ label. Slightly oak-driven with good ripe fruit and a firm, tight palate. Excellent cabernet structure, length and terrific balance. Best now to 12 plus years. 94/100′
Interesting.
GW
March 14th, 2007 at 1:16 pm
I remember he scored the ‘03 higher though. Not too sure about what was going on there…
I think the ‘04 407 is excellent, just not exactly my cup of tea. And really, what I like is all that matters, right?
March 14th, 2007 at 2:04 pm
Yes. This true. Your cup of tea is probably less tannic and much sweeter
Old Bug Eyes gave it 94 too….this is the most 94 pointy wine you could ever drink..so good you can even taste the numbers.
GW
March 14th, 2007 at 2:17 pm
Must try GW’s prolonged tasting method because by the sounds of it what I tasted was a very closed wine.
March 14th, 2007 at 3:09 pm
> Must try GW’s prolonged tasting method because by
> the sounds of it what I tasted was a very closed wine.
This is what I’m going to do. First half tonight.
March 14th, 2007 at 3:53 pm
Yes, I do like a little tea with my sugar…
March 14th, 2007 at 3:59 pm
Linc, Might do a third watching Heroes and then watching you on Prison Break (you know, the older brother - Lincoln Burrows). Report tomorrow.
March 14th, 2007 at 9:09 pm
“Pure elegance, with classic cabernet aromas of blaccurrant, eucalypt, mint and mulched shrubs.”
“Excellent cabernet strengths, but lacking in regional definition.”
“The expected tannins provide lovely mouthfeel without dominating the berry fruits.”
“Seductive.”
and more hyperbole wherever you look….
Personally, I think it is the pick of the Penfolds release, and I’ve been a 389iste for years! 94pts is accurate
Having said all of this, the 389 aint half bad either. 95 points of course.
April 4th, 2007 at 10:50 pm
yeah look i have just had a full bot bot of 04 407 and i must say its good.and the after taste in the mouth is right on.good for the buck.keep some for later i say.good job well done.
April 5th, 2007 at 11:54 am
Finally managed to grab a bottle whilst I was on the mainland last week! Will be drinking this weekend. Looking forward to it after all the discussion!
April 5th, 2007 at 6:50 pm
adam above was not me…I have not drank the 407…
Phew…
April 5th, 2007 at 8:08 pm
I think, for my taste, 407 could offer a little less sweet, ripe fruit and oak. It kind of tastes like they took a perfectly good cabernet then added loads of ketchup…
April 6th, 2007 at 2:58 am
Spooky, Adam & adam…who came first?
March 2nd, 2008 at 12:50 am
Gary
When are you trying the 05 389 & 407?.
March 2nd, 2008 at 8:15 am
They have not arrived as yet. I’d guess they will turn up this week.
GW
March 3rd, 2008 at 9:52 am
Tried the red bin releases on the weekend. As an overall observation, how are they going to sell them when there are still discounted ’04s still around? The prices being charged for what are a pretty ordinary set of wines aren’t going to win over many either. The 407 was varietally correct, but the $35 price didn’t excite. I didn’t see anything worth buying - hopefully the ‘04 St. Henri when it arrives might be okay, if not not very good. I look forward to your tastings Gary in the renowned style …