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Reviewed by: Erin Larkin
I recently tasted through a vertical of Bin 707, back to the very first vintage made in 1964. I have had some older vintages of this cuvée in the past, and once the 1964 vintage, but never a full suite. It was immediately obvious that the American oak élevage works very well in the cuvée over time, and it has the capacity to be an incredibly elegant wine. I did note that the alcohols have slowly risen over time, from as low as 12% alcohol from the 1960s, through to 13.5% in the late 1990s. As we progress through the 2000s, the wine sits at around 14% to 15% alcohol. This does make me wonder about the longevity of the wine over time, as those older wines were just so lovely in their delicacy and claret feel. So, to this 2022 Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon. It is more structural, firm and restrained than the 2021 before it, and while the oak is pronounced and firm, the wine expounds symmetry, proportion and length. Don't drink it for a while though, unless the oak is the aspect you seek. It matured for 18 months in American oak (100% new).
About the Producer
Since 1844, Penfolds has played a pivotal role in the evolution of wine making with a history and heritage that profoundly reflects Australia’s journey from colonial settlement to the modern era. Penfolds collection of benchmark wines were established in a spirit of innovation and the constant and endless pursuit of quality, evidenced from the secret bottling of Grange in 1951 and the unbroken line of vintages of what is now arguably Australia’s most iconic red wine. Today, the collection continues to display the distinctive and consistently recognisable Penfolds ‘House Style’; the ultimate expression of Penfolds time-honoured tradition of sourcing the best fruit from the best regions. Historic blends, significant milestones and heritage vineyards have been honoured by a lineage of custodians whose courage and imagination, precision and humility have ensured Penfolds remains true to its original values while remaining relevant for current and future generations. The stories and philosophies behind each label bring a timeless quality, making Penfolds wines special and compelling for collectors and drinkers the world over.