Early in my wine drinking journey, I was heavily influenced by the Penfolds bin series reds – 28, 128 and 389. Grange, although cheap by today’s standards at £35, was a bit out of my league.
Bin 28 is named Kalimna after the famed vineyard in the Barossa bought by Penfolds in 1945, although today it’s a multiregion blend in the Penfolds style. It’s the oldest of the bin series wines, and with the 2008 release it celebrates 50 vintages.
This is a really rich, ripe wine of real impact, but it has the potential to age and is nicely defined. And at a retail price of £12, it punches well above its weight. You could buy three of these, drink one now, and forget about the others for a decade – and be pleasantly surprised when you dig them out.
Penfolds Bin 28 Kalimna Shiraz 2008 South Australia
14.5% alcohol. 12 months in American oak. Rich, ripe, sweet blackberry and blackcurrant fruit with good structure and concentration as well as a rich, almost lush texture. The oak is well integrated. Seductive and well balanced despite the size, this avoids spoofiness and may well age nicely. 90/100
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2 Comments on The 50th vintage of Penfolds Bin 28 Kalimna Shiraz
Perhaps I being unfair but when I read “14.5% alcohol” and “12 months in American oak” I have learned to expect “spoofiness” and so avoid the product.
Penfolds bin 28 used to be a show stopper. Last one I tried was a shadow of its former self. I have 1/2 dozen bottles of the 2008 so lets hope it is back to its best.