The 2014 Opus One exudes subtle aromas of fragrant florals, fresh garden herbs and forest floor that give way to a concentrated blend of red cherry, blackberry and black currant. Fine-grained tannins offer a velvety texture and complex structure that builds to a long, vibrantly fresh finish with a touch of mocha. Enjoyable now, the wine will delight for years to come. Oakville, California: Home to some of the most sought-after Cabernet Sauvignon in America, Napa Valley's Oakville district stretches across the center of Napa's valley floor and foothills between the Vaca and Mayacamas Mountains. This AVA is home to the legendary To Kalon Vineyard and Martha's Vineyard, as well as many powerhouse wineries including Screaming Eagle, Silver Oak, Robert Mondavi, Opus One, Far Niente and Groth. The climate is generally warm and agreeable, resulting in year after year of favorable vintages. Summer days see a gentle tug of war between warmer inland air and the cool air coming in from the San Pablo Bay, creating an ideal environment to grow red varieties. Oakville's diverse soils, namely ancient sea bedrock, clay and gravel, are well-drained, and perfect for high-caliber viticulture. Cabernet here is often bottled varietally but is also popular in Bordeaux Blends. Oakville wines are known for their silky, sensual textures, structured tannins, dark and brooding fruit and lovely aromatics. These age-worthy and prestigious wines are favored by collectors throughout the world.
Penfolds Bin 707 is widely regarded as the ‘benchmark’ of Australian Cabernet Sauvignon. A full-bodied wine with outstanding depth, complexity and structure, the palate offers great intensity and concentration of varietal flavour, balanced by a finely integrated oak character from 18 months maturation in new small American oak barrels. Aromas: Poured, swirled - persuasive Cabernet black olive, graphite and tapenade aromatics may initially relax Bin 707 style sceptics. Yet just when the guard is dropped, in creeps a scented wave of choc mint, Asian spices and sage/bay leaf botanicals. Taking no prisoners - a good measure of soot/ ironstone/ sump oil blackness, and a floral headiness of iris and dried hibiscus. Yes, a full-on, uncamouflaged Bin 707 aromatic assault. Not for the meek. Unashamedly 100% Cabernet, 100% new oak, 100% Penfolds. Palate: All is convincingly redeemed on the palate. No stylistic retreat, yet engagingly a better understanding of what lies beneath…Texturally, a suppleness and tightness that is indeed profound. Fine long ripe tannins offer polish and a felt like ‘attaque’. Perhaps trademark – a significant mid-palate and convincing length – synergising an amalgam of Cabernets (only) off the varied soils of Coonawarra/ Barossa Valley/Padthaway/ McLaren Vale. A base of ferrics and black-pudding/ blood-sausage – laced with white milk-chocolate and red and black berry fruits. 100% new oak – thought about only when reminded. All Bin 707 boxes ticked, except one – time. Peaking Drinking: 2028 - 2050. Awards: • 98 Points - Ken Gargett, The World of Fine Wine. • 97 Points - Andrew Caillard, MW. • 97 Points - Tyson Stelzer.
Based on Cabernet, Sassicaia is one of the first Italian reds to be made in the image of Bordeaux. In the late 1990s Sassicaia was granted its own DOC, the only wine from a single vineyard to enjoy this privilege.
Bin 707 is a Cabernet Sauvignon reflection of Grange, intensely-flavoured fruit, completion of fermentation and maturation in new oak, expressing a Penfolds understanding of multi-vineyard, multi-region fruit sourcing. Bin 707 was first vintaged in 1964. The wine was not made from 1970 to 1975 when fruit was directed to other wines, nor in 1981, 1995, 2000, 2003 or 2011 (when fruit of the required style and quality was not available). Full bodied and with proven cellaring potential, Bin 707 retains a secure place among the ranks of Australias finest Cabernets.
Penfolds Bin 407 began life back in 1993 with the release of the 1990 vintage Cabernet Sauvignon. Created as a result of the availability of high quality Cabernet fruit, Bin 407 is inspired by its older brother, Bin 707. Not only offering varietal definition, but also approachability, structure and depth of flavour. The Bin 407 highlights the Penfolds approach to multi-region, multi-vineyard blending to create a Cabernet that rewards the drinker in both early and later years.
Château Margaux is a 1er Cru Classé (first growth) estate of Bordeaux. The Grand Vin is renowned for its enthralling perfumed elegance, finesse and layered complexity. A Cabernet Sauvignon blend with a minor component of Merlot and a smattering of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, fermentation occurs in oak vats followed by maturation in 100% new barrels for approximately 22 months. Since its acquisition in 1978 by the Mentzelopoulos family, the quality and international reputation of Château Margaux has soared to even greater heights.
Château Figeac is a wine estate that had a very long history. It was once part of the Cheval Blanc estate, whichs soils was well known to be two-thirds of gravel, allowing Cab Sauv, Cab Franc and Merlot to grow flourishingly in the area. The 2010 Figeac, had a beautiful complexity to enjoy now or the longevity to cellar for those who prefers. Wine will benefit from decanting.
Penfolds Quantum Bin 98 is the continuation of a twenty-year endeavor from when Australian vine cuttings were planted in Californian soil. A Wine of the World that encapsulates a bold blending alliance, Quantum reveals a wine that shows wisdom, crafted with conviction but also embedded in the quality-first philosophy that underpins Penfolds flagships. The wine serves as the most powerful expression of Penfolds' blending style and leads the charge in their ambition to seek out parcels of intense flavor, structural tannins and equal parts grace and complexity. Northern and southern hemispheres bring prized cabernet sauvignon from Napa Valley and pedigreed shiraz from South Australia, respectively, into each others realm. Not adhering to expectations and de rigueur.
A cabernet reflection of Grange. Full-bodied with proven cellaring potential, the 2019 shows a mid-palate richness with saturated dark fruit flavours of blackberry and mulberry fused with notes of dark chocolate and liquorice.
Penfolds Bin 169 is a single region wine made to showcase pure Coonawarra characters of cassis and eucalypt. The wine typically shows ripe black fruit characters with vanilla oak, ripe fine-grained tannins framed in a classical structure. Bin 169 is matured in 100% new French oak for approximately 14 months.