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Tasting notes
Campfire smoke, grilled in character, subdued, reserved, everything coiled inside, delicious balance with a little coaxing, and the striking thing here is the texture. A thoroughly charming wine, still young at 23 years, emphasis on dark brambled fruit, cassis, liqourice, soft crayon, not the most exuberant of the wines here, but it is one that you can sink into. 100% new American oak. Last year with John Duval as chief winemaker, before handing over to Peter Gago, who had been in the winemaking team since 1989.
Critic scores
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Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
One of the deeper colored wines in Penfolds’ portfolio is the 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Bin 707. Aromas of forest floor, underbrush, black currants, and old wood emerge from this medium-bodied Cabernet. A clipped finish again suggests a bizarre fascination with low pH and acid levels that has nothing to do with the vineyard, terroir, vintage character, or pleasure. Nevertheless, there is enough black currant fruit to pull this wine into the acceptable category. Drink it over the next 7-8 years. Penfolds needs to take a long, critical look at its winemaking philosophy. This is the great name in Australian winedom, and they should be a leader and reference point for fine winemaking. Obviously, they have access to some tremendous vineyard sites, and from a budgetary standpoint, they appear capable of doing anything they want. What is the purpose of sculpting wines that are essentially the products of a few oenologists connecting the dots and making wines by the numbers? The lack of naturalness and soul in these wines is worrisome. Importer: PWG Vintners, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 996-4504
Full red-ruby. Spicy, high-toned nose dominated by tar and bourbon notes of American oak, along with hints of moss and loam. Lush and sweet in the mouth, with nicely concentrated flavors of currant, plum, tobacco and coffee. Finishes with fresh fruit but also a distinctly dry edge from the oak. Will this wine ever really integrate its heavy dose of wood?
About the producer
Penfolds is Australia’s most famous wine producer, known best for their iconic top wine, Grange. First produced commercially in 1952, Grange has since gone on to become one of the world’s most famous fine wines. In 2001, the wine was listed as an Australian heritage icon.