2020 Penfolds Bin 8 Shiraz Cabernet, South Australia

Penfolds Bin 8 Shiraz Cabernet is a quintessential expression of the Penfolds house style — plush, bold, and meticulously blended — but offered at a more accessible level than its older siblings in the Bin series. First released in 2003, Bin 8 was created as a younger-drinking counterpart to the more cellar-oriented Bin 389, carrying the same Penfolds DNA of rich fruit, seasoned oak, and regional blending, but with a softer, more immediately approachable character.

The blend varies slightly each vintage but typically leans into a generous proportion of Shiraz, supported by the structure and tannin of Cabernet Sauvignon. Fruit is sourced from a selection of vineyards across South Australia, including premium sites in the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Padthaway, and Wrattonbully. This multi-regional approach allows Penfolds’ winemaking team, led by Chief Winemaker Peter Gago, to craft a wine of consistency, balance and layered complexity regardless of vintage conditions.

Fermentation takes place in stainless steel open fermenters, with regular pump-overs to extract colour and tannin. Following fermentation, the wine is matured for 12 to 14 months in a mix of seasoned American and French oak hogsheads. The use of older oak ensures subtle integration of spice and texture without overshadowing the fruit’s natural vibrancy.

In the glass, Bin 8 is deep crimson with aromas of ripe blackcurrant, mulberry, dark plum and raspberry coulis, alongside hints of bay leaf, mocha, cedar and sweet spice. The palate is full-bodied and generous, yet polished, with fine-grained tannins and a rounded mouthfeel. Shiraz brings warmth, plushness and spice, while Cabernet Sauvignon lends backbone, drive and savoury lift. There’s a lovely interplay of fruit and oak, finishing long with a flicker of cocoa and dried herbs.

It’s an incredibly versatile red, ideal with grilled ribeye, slow-roasted lamb shoulder, or hearty vegetarian dishes like eggplant moussaka. While ready to drink now, it has the structure to age gracefully for up to 10 years in the right conditions.