2011 Penfolds Shiraz Kalimna Bin 28

Bright purple. Smoky dark berries, licorice, violet and vanilla on the perfumed nose. Incisive berry skin and bitter cherry flavors are complicated by cracked pepper and succulent herbs, with a smoky nuance emerging with air. Tannins build slowly and give grip to the finish, which shows very good cut and a lingering cherry pit quality.

Bin 28 showcases warm-climate Australian Shiraz, although 2011 was a difficult vintage generally. First made in 1959, Bin 28 is named after the famous Barossa Valley Kalimna Vineyard purchased by Penfolds in 1945 and from which the wine was originally sourced. Today, Bin 28 is a multi-region, multi-vineyard blend, with the Barossa Valley always well represented.  Shiraz from McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley and Adelaide. TA 6.5 g/l, pH 3.68. 12 months in seasoned American oak hogsheads. Inky dark colour. Sweeter oak and sweeter fruit than the Coonawarra Shiraz. Toasty. Firm, chalky dry tannins. Mouthwatering finish and juicy aftertaste. Needs time. So concentrated on the nose you almost want to add a splash of water to release the life. Very sweet finish. (JH)

Deep garnet-purple in color and possessing a great aromatic core of blackberries and black plums with nuances of cedar, aniseed, damp earth and charcoal, the medium to full-bodied 2011 Bin 28 Kalimna Shiraz has a solid structure of firm, grainy tannins and refreshing acid cutting through the muscular berry and earth flavors before finishing with good persistence. 3,800 bottles were made. Drink it 2014 to 2020+. Imported by Treasury Wine Estates, Napa, CA