Wine of the Week • 6 January 2021

Penfolds Bin 111A 2016

Released in October 2019 to a recommended retail price of US$1,000 a bottle, 1,000 cases or 12,000 bottles of this pure Shiraz (54% from the Botanic Vineyard in Clare and 46%  from the Gersch Vineyard in Barossa Valley) were produced. Although fruit from both vineyards have been components of Grange, coming together in this one-off “Special Bin” was to commemorate the 175^th Anniversary of Penfolds in 2019. The wine spent 18 months in 100% new French hogsheads (a hogshead is about 300 litres whereas a Bordeaux barrique is 225 litres). Bin 111A was decanted for 2 hours. Deep coloured. Floral, including violets, chocolate and dark fruits on the nose. Rich, ripe, full-bodied palate including blackcurrant (as the minutes go by), spice, and a sweetness of oak. Big wine for big people with big wallets.

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