Penfolds Bin 138 GSM 2012
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James
Suckling -
Wilfred
Wong -
Robert
Parker
Product Details
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Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
The blend in 2012 is shiraz (66%), grenache (23%) and mataro (11%) and shows a wealth of red and blue fruits on offer with attractive brambly summer berry aromas, quite fresh and fragrant, some tarry blue fruits too. The palate has tangy juicy appeal, a stylish and elegant vintage for Bin 138 with plenty of immediate appeal. Dark summer berry flavours, supple swirling tannins and terrific balance here. One of the best value Penfolds reds this year.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
One of my consistent favorites in the marketplace, the 2012 Penfolds Bin 138 Shiraz-Grenache-Mataro excels with a rush of raspberry fruit in the aroma. On the palate, the wine is generous and lasting. The finish makes it an excellent candidate for chicken on the "barbie." Drinks well now. (Tasted: October 31, 2016, San Francisco, CA USA)
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A blend of 66% Shiraz, 23% Grenache and the balance Mataro, the deep garnet-purple colored 2012 Bin 138 Shiraz Grenache Mataro opens to red currants and black raspberry fragrances with hints of Chinese Five Spice, roses and black pepper. With tons of sweet, red berry fruit in the mouth enhanced by a gentle spiciness, the structured, medium level of rounded tannins and lively acid holds through the long finish. 1,842 bottles were made. Drink it now to 2019+.
Other Vintages
2007-
Wine
Spectator -
Robert
Parker
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Robert
Parker
Penfolds has been producing remarkable wines since 1844 and indisputably led the development of Australian fine wine in the modern era. The introduction of Penfolds Grange in 1951 forever changed the landscape of Australian fine wine. Since then a series of stand-out wines both white and red have been released under the Penfolds masthead.
Peter Gago, Penfolds Chief Winemaker and only the 4th custodian of Grange, relishes the opportunity to bring Penfolds to the world stage and is an enthusiastic ambassador and natural educator. Penfolds came to the attention of the US market when 1990 Grange was Wine Spectator’s ‘Wine of the Year’. Since then, Penfolds Grange has become one of the most collectable wines of the world and was honored to grace the front cover, once again, of Wine Spectator, with declarations of Grange as Australia’s Icon.
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
Historically and presently the most important wine-producing region of Australia, the Barossa Valley is set in the Barossa zone of South Australia, where more than half of the country’s wine is made. Because the climate is very hot and dry, vineyard managers work diligently to ensure grapes reach the perfect levels of phenolic ripeness.
The intense heat is ideal for plush, bold reds, particularly Shiraz on its own or Rhône Blends. Often Shiraz and Cabernet partner up for plump and powerful reds.
While much less prevalent, light-skinned varieties such as Riesling, Viognier or Semillon produce vibrant Barossa Valley whites.
Most of Australia’s largest wine producers are based here and Shiraz plantings date back as far as the 1850s or before. Many of them are dry farmed and bush trained, still offering less than one ton per acre of inky, intense, purple juice.