Barry Weinman: Tasted 25th June 2026

For me, this is where the real excitement exists within the range (along with the brilliant 2024 Bin 128). These are wines that need no introduction to Australian wine collectors.

St Henri traces its origins to the 1957 commercial vintage (following development work in the mid-1950s by John Davoren) and stands as a deliberate counterpoint to Grange. Rather than relying on new oak, it is matured in large, seasoned vats, allowing the fruit to take centre stage.

Bin 389’s first vintage was released in 1960. Created by the legendary Max Schubert, it blended Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz and famously utilised barrels that had previously held Grange, earning it the affectionate nickname “Baby Grange.

Magill Estate Shiraz first appeared with the 1983 vintage, produced exclusively from the historic vineyard surrounding Penfolds’ original home at Magill on the outskirts of Adelaide.

Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon is a relatively recent addition to the Penfolds portfolio. The first vintage was 1990. It was created to provide a wine in the style of the iconic Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon, but at a more accessible price and in larger volumes, as Penfolds gained access to greater quantities of high-quality Cabernet fruit.

RWT (Red Winemaking Trial) is the youngest of the four, launched with the 1997 vintage after extensive experimentation during the 1990s. Conceived as an alternative expression of top-tier Penfolds Shiraz, RWT is sourced entirely from the Barossa Valley and matured in French oak, contrasting with the multi-regional, American oak influence of Grange.

*This was not a blind wine tasting, and it was hosted by Peter Gago. As a result, points should be considered as indicative.

Reviewed

Penfolds – Bin 407 – Cabernet Sauvignon – 2024. This is outrageously good. Wonderful fruit and brilliant winemaking. The fruit is actually very shy on the palate at first, but you can sense just how good this will be with time in the cellar. So easy to drink today, but this is really a wine for the long haul. Hints of liquorice, spice and fresh herbs all add impact.

Bin 407 was a highlight for me as it often is and the value is compelling. Fruit for this wine is sourced from premium regions across South Australia and was matured in a blend of French and American oak (~20% new) for 12 months prior to bottling. 14.5% alc | 96+pts* | $130.00.

Penfolds – Bin 389 – Cabernet/Shiraz – 2024. Perfumed, alluring and just wonderful. The ripe fruit here is truly special, but it is the structure and acidity that helps stand this apart. Whilst very closed on release, the palate remained silky and supple, and immensely enjoyable. But this is really a wine for the future, not today (there are many other wines in the range to drink over the next few years). A very powerful wine!

With 53% cabernet, this is not quite a 50:50 blend. Fruit is sourced from premium South Australian regions and spent 13 months in American oak hogsheads (34% new). In 2024, Bin 389 has replaced Bin 28 as the highest volume wine in the Penfolds range, which is testament to their ability to access super premium fruit and the fact that they are not constrained to a single vineyard or region. 14.5% alc | 96pts* | $120.00.

Penfolds – St Henri – 2023. St Henri is a personal favourite of mine, and in 2023, this is another fine wine. As distinct from wines like the Bin 150 where the tannins and oak play an important role, here, the acidity is the hero, adding energy and drive to the supple, if somewhat closed fruit. And how good is that fruit? Brilliant! There are both berry and plum-like tones, but there is so much more to this wine, with the savoury components adding depth and complexity. Like the 389, this is built for long-term cellaring, and the results will be spectacular.

Fruit comes from McLaren Vale (55%), Barossa (21%), Frankland River (11%) plus a splash of Port Lincoln and Robe. There is often also a splash of Cabernet included in the final blend. 14.5% alc | 96pts* | $135.00.

Penfolds – Magill Estate – 2024. A classic vintage for Magill and the results are spectacular. The fruit is quite exceptional and the structure is superb. This is just extraordinary. Silky, supple, fragrant and elegant. Yet this is structured, and very age-worthy. The length and persistence of fruit is outstanding. A wonderful wine and my pick of all wines to date.

Unique within the Penfolds range, this is 100% estate fruit, made on site at Magill Estate. Due to a vineyard restoration project, volumes in recent years are down 50% compared to longer-term averages. The impact of the new plantings will gradually start to be included over the next few years. The wine was aged for 18 months in new French (2/3) and second-use American (1/3) oak hogsheads. 14.5% alc | 97pts* | $180.00.

Penfolds – RWT – 2024. The fruit quality here is at least the equal of the Magill, but here, the structural components serve to suppress the fruit right now. But with air, wow, does this look so so good. The subtle floral characters really come to the fore, and the balance becomes spot on. Underneath the fragrant fruit is a complex amalgam of spice, oak and nut chocolate notes. A beautiful wine, but one that really needs two decades to show its full potential. Or an hour or two in a decanter now. This is such a good drink that food is purely optional as an accompaniment.

From the Barossa, RWT spent 14 months in French oak hogsheads, 82% of which were new, with the remainder second use. Philosophically, this sits just behind Grange and 707 in the range and, given the relative pricing, may well be the best value Penfolds red wine with this release. 14.5% alc | 97pts* | $220.00.