PENFOLDS Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Robert Parker Score: 87 points

Reviewer: Lisa Perrotti-Brown — 19223 Dec 2010

Drink 2010–2017

Blended of Coonawarra, McLaren Vale and Langhorne Creek fruit, the 2007 Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon was matured 13 months in French and American oak, 33% new. Very deep garnet-purple colored, it presents pronounced notes of creme de cassis, earth, cedar and a bit of meat. Full-bodied with medium-firm somewhat astringent tannins, it has good concentration and a long, straight-forward finish. Drink it now to 2017+.

With a lot of changes happening around the Foster’s Group, it is business as usual at Penfolds…which seems to operate within its own world. But this is no small world. The vineyard holdings here are vast and the connections with growers go back generations. Chief winemaker Peter Gago is the very well spoken front-man for the production team backed-up Kym Schroeter in charge of the whites and Steve Lienert crafting some very fine, consistent and sometimes inspired reds. If Champagne is all about the art of blending, then Penfolds is the Champagne of Australian wine. Those that think large companies producing wines that emphasize blending can’t make great wines need to think about the Champagne model or simply try some of Penfolds top wines to become believers. That said – check out their recent single vineyard release: the very special 2004 Block 42 Kalimna Cabernet Sauvignon, the first release of a wine made purely from this 100+ year old single block (perhaps the oldest block of Cabernet in the world?) since 1996.