JamesSuckling.com | JS 93
Published: Jul 23, 2023

Loads of flavor and chomp to this full-weighted, highly regional expression. Black currant, blue fruits, clove, verdant herbs, charcuterie and a waft of menthol across a finish framed by malty oak. Yet nothing obtuse. The finish is warm, poised and nourishing. A highly satisfying expression with a strong track record. Drink or hold.

The Wine Advocate | RP 92
Published: Jul 20, 2023

The 2021 Bin 128 Coonawarra Shiraz is blue-fruited and spicy, with blueberry compote, salted licorice, blackberry bramble and olive tapenade. In the mouth, the fruit is powered by an effusive wall of soft, pillowy tannin, and there's lovely length through the finish (shaved fennel/garden mint through here). It's pure and blue and spicy. It matured for 12 months in French oak hogsheads (21% new). 14.5% alcohol, sealed under natural cork.
Drink Date 2023 - 2035

Winemaker

With each vintage release the cool-climate Bin 128 Coonawarra Shiraz provides an interesting counterpoint to the more opulent and richly concentrated warm climate Kalimna Bin 28 Shiraz. Bin 128 comprises fruit sourced from the unique terra rossa soils of Coonawarra, a region that exemplifies the perfume, transparency and seductive nature of cool-climate red table wines. Coonawarra has remained the source of shiraz fruit for Bin 128 since the inaugural release of the 1962 vintage. In order to further enhance the regional qualities of Bin 128, the wine is matured in a mixture of new and seasoned French oak hogsheads, ?levage that was refined during the 1980?s when the transition was made from American to French oak.

FLAVOURS AND PALATE
Medium-bodied? well-proportioned, yet not big. Layered.
Appetising, juicy ... laced with cracked black pepper, red spices (Hungarian paprika) and caraway.
A skerrick of (cherrywood) oak and brick-dust tannins verging on chalky
Fruits evident, yet the savouries beckon greater attention (glazed meats, green olive, capers).
Yet another manifestation of the flavours and structure of cooler-climate French oak-matured shiraz ... channelled viaa Penfolds winemaking lens.