2022 Penfolds Bin 128 Shiraz, Coonawarra

A classic vintage for Coonawarra manifests in the glass in an inviting fashion with rich plum, blackberry and black cherry fruits with hints of fine spice, dried meats, licorice root, violets, earth and French oak nuance. It's quite a savoury release with fine, coal-dust tannins and a chewy, sinewy structure with just the right amount of austere grip to its form. There's great length of flavour here and there's no doubt of the wine's cellaring potential.

94 points Dave Brookes winecompanion.com.au

2022 Penfolds Bin 128 Shiraz from Coonawarra is a finely structured, cool climate expression that highlights the elegance and savoury detail of this famed terra rossa region. Unlike many Penfolds Shiraz wines that draw from warmer climates, Bin 128 has long been a Coonawarra specialist, first released in the early nineteen sixties and now firmly established as a regional classic. The vineyards sit on Coonawarra’s signature red clay over limestone soils, where cool nights and long growing seasons shape Shiraz with restraint, spice and natural acidity. The 2022 vintage reflects these conditions beautifully, delivering clarity, balance and definition rather than sheer power.

Winemaking follows Penfolds’ precise, house driven approach while respecting regional character. The fruit is fermented to build fine tannin structure and savoury depth, then matured predominantly in French oak, a key distinction from many other Penfolds reds. The oak regime is chosen to complement the fruit with subtle spice and texture rather than sweetness, reinforcing the wine’s more European, medium bodied feel. Bin 128 is always about proportion and longevity, and the 2022 release stays true to that identity.

The aromatics are lifted and detailed. Dark cherry, blackberry and plum sit alongside cracked black pepper, clove and subtle floral notes. There is an underlying savoury thread of earth, ironstone and gentle cedar that speaks clearly of Coonawarra. With air, hints of cocoa, dried herbs and spice emerge, adding complexity without weight.

The palate is medium bodied, focused and beautifully shaped. Juicy dark fruits flow through fine, chalky tannins that give structure without firmness. Flavours of black cherry, mulberry and spice are supported by bright acidity, keeping the wine fresh and precise from start to finish. The French oak contributes subtle savoury complexity, with notes of cedar and spice carrying through to a long, balanced finish. It drinks well now with a short decant, but will continue to evolve gracefully over eight to fifteen years, developing more earthy, leathery nuance with time.

An excellent match for roast lamb, grilled steak, beef ragu, mushroom dishes or aged hard cheeses. Penfolds Bin 128 Shiraz remains a benchmark for Coonawarra Shiraz, refined, savoury and built with quiet confidence.