Penfolds, Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon, South Australia 1994

Wine Advocate 90

Penfolds’ most impressive Cabernet Sauvignon is the 1994 Bin 707. This murky plum-colored, blockbuster, backward, exceptionally tannic Cabernet displays abundant quantities of blackberry and cassis fruit, a heavy overlay of toasty vanillin from new oak casks, and mouthsearing levels of tannin. Although the wine is closed, it is firmly-structured and enormously-endowed in the mouth. Cellar this offering for 2-4 years, and consume it over the following 15+. This winery continues to turn out an insipid selection of white wines, but the reds are all noteworthy, and some are reasonably good values. Importer: Southcorp Wines North America, Monterey, CA; tel. (408) 655-4848 [Robert M. Parker, Jr., 23/02/1998]

Anticipated maturity: 2000-2017

Vinous 88+

Saturated ruby-red. Vibrant blackberry and blackcurrant nose shows pronounced sweet oak notes of scotch and tar. Juicy and intensely flavored, though currently a bit musclebound and not yet showing much complexity. But the tart, juicy berry flavors are fresh and nicely delineated. Finishes with dusty, slightly tongue-drying (oak?) tannins. May yet merit a higher score. [Stephen Tanzer, 07/01/1998]