2022 Penfolds Bin 138 GSM, Barossa Valley

Deep purple colour and a fresh and intensely spicy aroma that channels eastern spices, pepper, earthy/savoury in styling, the finish pleasingly drying and appetising. Good balance and the fruit is doing all the work. (47% grenache, 43% shiraz, 10% mataro. 10 month in French oak, 21% new, and American oak hogsheads) 03 JUL 2024 Drink 2024–2037

93 points HH therealreview.com

47/43/10 % grenache/shiraz/mataro. A striking magenta-splashed crimson immediately catches the eye. Some nice definition with pure plum, cherry and blueberry fruits, dabbed with spice, berry cream, light-purple floral tones, licorice, sarsaparilla and earth. Fine, sandy tannin lends support with a pleasing cut of mataro savouriness on the exit.

93 points DB winecompanion.com.au

The grunting black bull that is Mataro plays the bully in this blend, representing only 10% of the fruit content, but overshadowing the Grenache (47%) and Shiraz (43%) with its chewy blackcurrant and tight black tea tannins. Let it breathe in the glass and you’ll start to see some sunshine peeking through the darkness, with glimmers of dark red plum and wild strawberry, but it needs time in the cellar for this potent meld to relax.

92 points DS decanter.com

Garnet edge with a purple core. An inviting nose that offers perfumed aromatics and pastry-like complexity. A note of lifted cherry danish, complete with a subtle hint of icing dusting. The sweetness continues with cannoli filled with creamy custard, while vanilla and almond slivers add a nutty, floral

richness. Cranberry and forest fruits provide a vibrant core, highlighted by exotic spices like cardamom, cinnamon and thyme. Floral notes of hibiscus blend seamlessly with aromas of white strawberry and fresh plum, resulting in a nose that is both sweet and bright.

On the palate, this medium-bodied wine unfolds gracefully, showcasing luscious, sweet fruits alongside dark generous offerings that speak to its three-varietal composition. Pink pepper adds a light spiciness over brambly fruit notes. The Grenache component lends tension and elegance, contrasted by the generous heartiness of Shiraz and complemented by the earthy undertones of savoury Mataro. Well-integrated slatey tannins craft a structure that is both firm and approachable, while balanced acidity ensures the wine’s freshness persists through each taste. This vintage epitomises approachability without sacrificing depth or character.

Peak Drinking Now-2038