Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 Monday, Mar 31 2008
Tasting Notes and Australia and McLaren Vale and Padthaway and Variety and Red and cabernet et al
I always wonder about using some of the more esoteric descriptors but after tasting this wine I thought “mmmm sarsaparilla” and on checking the official tasting note (for regional composition mainly) I see winemaker Peter Gago has used the same word. If it’s good enough for Gago then it’s good enough for me. You could get a song out of that for sure…
Something very nice to sniff here with aromas of blackcurrant, dark chocolate, violet and a minty mentholated lift. On the palate full bodied with strong tannin, pronounced acidity and excellent shape through the mouth. It has flavours of blackcurrant, sarsaparilla and some more meaty savoury characters with cedary oak well in the background. Long finish with a bit of acid poking out at the end. It’s all arms and legs at the moment but looks to be a super example of 407.
Other vintages : 2004, 2004, 2003, 1996
Rated : 93+ Points
Tasted : Mar08
Alcohol : 14.5%
Price : $45
Drink : 2012 - 2024
Source : Winery Sample
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March 31st, 2008 at 10:04 am| Quote |
Are you sure about the RRP there Gary? It couldn’t even be that expensive at Vintage Cellars! A good wine Gary, but still not really any better than Wynn’s BL - especially for the price. That said, I may take a second look on the basis of this.
Incidentally, I was in a Coonawarra mood last weekend and had another of the 2005, which I had kept in the house in case of vinous emergency - and then rushed out to be a few more to put away, with a promise to myself not to touch them this time. I recently bought a wine cabinet to keep some wine that’s ready to go en casa. It is a dangerous device as you can see, and a major contributor to vinicide.
March 31st, 2008 at 10:56 am| Quote |
That is the quoted RRP from Penfolds media release $44.99 to be exact. They bear little relation to reality I think. The (bloody excellent) 389 is a suggested RRP of $57.99.
GW
March 31st, 2008 at 11:02 am| Quote |
So, the RRP has jumped $10 in the space of a year as your previous TN indicates? Don’t tell the RBA or interest rates are really going to soar …
March 31st, 2008 at 12:15 pm| Quote |
Whats esoteric about sarsaparilla? Every third note I write has it. Do you mean this in the context of Cabernet based wine?
The one I’m not happy with is rosella jam (for Douro table wines and some ports), about 3% of the population will get that one…
March 31st, 2008 at 2:19 pm| Quote |
I think there will be plenty of unsold 407 if they want $35-$40. I remember picking up the 2004 for about $22 (admittedly on special) about 12 months ago. The Wynns is clearly better value.
March 31st, 2008 at 2:31 pm| Quote |
Shaggy said :
You are either enigmatic or sars mad
I hear you have been going to the Tim White school of descriptors.
GW
March 31st, 2008 at 2:37 pm| Quote |
I’m with Shaggy - I also smell cola and sars in many wines….
March 31st, 2008 at 2:57 pm| Quote |
Central Otago Pinot mainly.
GW
March 31st, 2008 at 3:19 pm| Quote |
Tempranillo often shows cola and sarsparilla characters.
March 31st, 2008 at 7:58 pm| Quote |
I’ll take enigmatic, it reminds me of a TISM song. Or Ezra Pound, I forget which…
March 31st, 2008 at 9:20 pm| Quote |
For those of you who are questioning the RRP, as an independent liquor retailer I refuse to touch the Penfold’s Bin Range (and many other Foster’s products). If I want to make my full margin on these wines I would have to charge $45 for the 407 and $58 for the 389. 1st Choice (coles) & Dan Murphy’s (woolworths) on the other hand get better pricing than me and can afford to sell these wines at a hugely discounted price. (which is really unfortunate because the Bin Range is a great range of wines even for full RRP and all the large liquor outlets are doing is bastardising them.)
April 1st, 2008 at 11:04 am| Quote |
What the bleedin’ heck is sarsparilla? Some obscure Aussie kiddie sweet or something?
April 1st, 2008 at 11:11 am| Quote |
It’s a fizzy drink. Quite popular with Americans.
GW