2005 Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz

Fruit sourced from McLaren Vale, Padthaway and the Barossa Valley. 52% Cabernet, 48% Shiraz. Aged 13 months in American oak hogsheads, 26% new. Deep garnet with smudgy rim. Sweet, dark and a little minty/leafy. Juicy bright fruit in a leafy style. Fine dry fresh tannins and lovely long fresh finish. TA 6.5 g/l, pH 3.55. (JH)

The 2005 Bin 389 Cabernet Sauvignon (52%)-Shiraz (48%) is crimson-colored with aromas of smoke, tobacco, mineral, black currant, and blackberry. Elegantly styled, it offers racy black fruit flavors, hints of licorice and chocolate, and a lengthy, pure finish. It will profit from 3-4 years of cellaring and will drink well from 2011 to 2020. Penfolds produces a bevy of excellent value-priced wines, many of which were reviewed in Issue 178. Importer: Southcorp Wines USA; www.penfolds.com.au

Saturated red color. Smoky kirsch, candied plum, cassis, cola and mint on the nose, with suave oak spices adding complexity. Plush, sharply focused dark fruit flavors offer very good clarity and are sweetened by mocha and vanilla. The mint note repeats on the finish and dusty tannins add structure but don't detract from the vibrant fruit. This is really persistent.