Upon release the wine is bright ruby in colour. There is a teasing array of vibrant red fruit on the nose including raspberry, pomegranate, cherry and plum. Spice and herbal notes, as well as a savoury underlay, add to the wine's complexity. While the palate has generous fruit weight and velvety tannins, it is balanced with refreshing acidity and a structure that gives the wine classic North Canterbury tension and pinosity.

With each vintage release the cool-climate Bin 128 Coonawarra Shiraz provides an interesting counterpoint to the more opulent and richly concentrated warm climate Bin 28 Shiraz. Bin 128 comprises fruit sourced from the unique terra rossa red clay over limestone soils of Coonawarra, a region that exemplifies the perfume, transparency and seductive nature of cool-climate red table wines. Coonawarra has remained the source of Shiraz fruit for Bin 128 since the inaugural release of the 1962 vintage. To further enhance the regional qualities of Bin 128, the wine is matured in a mixture of new and seasoned French oak hogsheads, élevage that was refined during the 1980s when the transition was made from American to French oak. The palate is medium-weight, relative to the likes of the warm climate Bin 28 Shiraz. The blue fruits noted on the nose are quite apparent on the flavour profile. However, the wine is orientated towards the savoury end of the spectrum. Cured meats, pepper, olives and paprika flavours vying for attention. On further inspection, almond kernels and cardamom add to the allure. The tannins are silken, finely woven around the fruit. The acid line is as neat as a pin. Everything is in the right place, a lovely wine now with decades of potential for those who can wait.

Bin 138 draws its inspiration from the wines of Southern Rhône, where Shiraz, Grenache and Mataro (Mourvèdre) are blended in varying proportions to create full-bodied wines possessing rich and heady perfume. Each year fruit for Bin 138 is sourced from Barossa Valley vines and then matured in seasoned and a small proportion of new oak hogsheads to allow the different varietals to shine through. The first vintage release of this varietal blend was the 1992, labelled 'Old Vine Barossa Valley' - it was then elevated to Bin status with the 1998 vintage. All three varietals play a complementary role. There is a lovely juby fruit like flavour profile, not over-ripe in the least. Exotic black and red fruits abound: lingonberries, logan berries, olallieberries, red currants. Green tomato salsa and lemon myrtle olives add a savoury dimension. The acidity is taught and bright, while the tannins are very fine. The wine has a lovely structure and is already drinking beautifully. Offers plenty of versatility for food pairing.

As we have come to anticipate, satsuma plums and boysenberries provide a varietal/regional signature. Grippy, ripe and rich tannins anchor a tightly structured frame. Freshly sawn oak. Rye sourdough crust - still hot out of the oven. Toasted pumpkin seeds on grilled haloumi. Sarsaparilla, black cardamom pods and ethereal nutmeg spice. Drink 2025 to 2040.

The palate texture is suggestive of cocoa powder while being framed by just enough savoury oak to add structure without dominating. Leading with black fruit characters, it progresses with dark plum and hints of gamey richness (roasted venison). Baking spice notes and a delicate icing sugar dusting add nuance without tipping into overt sweetness. Lively acidity carries through from start to finish, perfectly accompanied by fine structural tannins that contribute to an enduring balance. Despite its depth and layers, it carries itself with typical Bin 28 ease; its complexity is apparent yet approachable.

Launched with the 1990 vintage in 1993, Bin 407 was developed in response to the increasing availability of high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon fruit. Inspired by Bin 707, Bin 407 offers varietal definition and approachability, yet still possessing structure and rich depth of flavour. Textbook cabernet sauvignon, the expressive Bin 407 demonstrates the reward of Penfolds multi-regional blending philosophy. A core of ripe fruit is well supported by sensitive use of French and American oak. After the aromatic impression, one might expect a forbidding palate. Not so. It's remarkably approachable, yet clearly built for a long spell in the dungeon. The cool dark fruits are very concentrated and varietal. The leafy notes on the nose morph into char-grilled savoury flavours of grilled capsicum and cumin spiced eggplant, infused by sandalwood and cherry wood smoke. The tannins are graphite-like, fine but reassuringly persistent, with a faint suggestion of bitter dark chocolate. At the time of tasting the wine is very energetic, dancing the tango at full tempo. Don't expect a slow waltz anytime soon. One for the long haul.

The Cabernet Sauvignon grape varietal is widely planted across South Australia's premium wine regions, particularly in the Limestone Coast where grapes with tremendous structure and beautiful aromatics are found. Well-regarded since its launch in 2002, the Koonunga Hill Cabernet Sauvignon showcases the merits of multi-regional blending to Penfolds 'House Style'. A bold, full bodied wine displaying lovely aromatics, excellent structure, and great length.

Since its inception, Penfolds Koonunga Hill has always aimed to deliver quality, value and consistency. The original 1976 Koonunga Hill Claret is a legendary wine that is still drinking well today. Koonunga Hill Shiraz joined the range in 2002, a contemporary reflection of Penfolds multi-regional sourcing philosophy. Shiraz from the warmer districts of South Australia is carefully blended, with the Barossa Valley always well represented. Ripe plum, blueberry & sweet spice - undeniably South Australian Shiraz. The palate shows flint, liquorice, smoked meat & paprika. Integrated tannins remind us of the wine's place in the Penfolds family.

Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet is a reflection of the Penfolds winemaking style and philosophy. Sourced from premium vineyards across South Australia, the wine is known for its full-flavoured style with excellent Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon fruit, firm yet well-rounded structure and balanced oak. Made as a traditional 'Australian blend', the Shiraz component provides fleshy fruit flavour while Cabernet Sauvignon provides a frame of fine grained tannins. Date, boysenberry & sweet cinnamon abound. Pair with grilled meats, lamb chops or charcuterie.

St Henri is a time-honoured and alternative expression of Shiraz, and an intriguing counterpoint to Grange. It is unusual amongst high quality Australian red wines as it does not rely on any new oak. Released for the first time by Penfolds in the early 1950s (first commercial vintage 1957), it gained a new lease of life in the 1990s as its quality and distinctive style became better understood. Proudly, a wine style that hasn't succumbed to the dictates of fashion or commerce. St Henri is rich and plush when young, gaining soft, earthy, mocha-like characters with age. It is matured in an assortment of old large vats that allow the wine to develop, imparting minimal, if any oak character. Although a small proportion of Cabernet may sneak into the blend, the focal point for St Henri remains Shiraz. True to form, the palate is quite savoury. Japanese nori paper and olive brine offer a very morish umami nuance. Fresh blueberry and mulberry leaf anchor the core of the mid-palate. Exotic spices adding intrigue, Alleppey turmeric, toasted cumin, pimento. The tannins are very tactile, comparable to Dutch cocoa. A classic St Henri that will reward extended time in the cellar.

A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon parcels sourced from vineyards throughout the Barossa. The fruit is fermented for up to 14 days, then aged for 12 months in a mix of French and American oak. Individual parcels of fruit are matured separately to maximise the blend's complexity and finalised through a selection process. The resulting wine is rich and concentrated with aromas of ripe dark berry fruits, blackcurrants and plums with mint and varietal leafy notes. The palate is plush with flavours balanced by fine, textural tannins.