2016 Bin 150 Marananga Shiraz
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
A good few years ago I used to work for an Australian wine producer and during this time I built up a particular affinity with the Barossa Valley wine region. It was the very first time I had a glass of wine that simply blew me away, I didn’t know wine could taste that good. That particular wine, having since looked far and wide, is no longer available unfortunately. However, ever since I have had a soft spot for wine from the Barossa. A great example from my collection today that I thoroughly recommend is Penfold’s Bin 150 Marananga Shiraz 2016. I opened a bottle this weekend to go with a lovely ribeye steak delivered from a local farm, which is one my favourite foods. Luckily for me, having a fairly fast metabolic rate, I can get away with having a sizeable portion! On the palate, the wine was rich in tannins but they were very refined and surprisingly soft. The wine was slightly sweet but refreshing with a hint of spice, although less than some other Shiraz from the region. Vanilla was present as was cedar along with a lovely pristine berry fruit character and lovely intensity you come to expect from top Barossa.This wine is definitely a great partner for steak and I was fortunate enough to have two of my favourite things this weekend.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Josh Raynolds
More reviews and scores
Bright, violet color. Spice-accented aromas of ripe red and blue fruits, succulent herbs, violet pastille and cracked pepper are accompanied by a subtle coconut note that builds in the glass. Rich yet lively in style, offering sweet, mineral-accented black raspberry, blueberry and spicecake flavors and a suggestion of bitter chocolate. The floral and spice notes repeat emphatically on a very long, focused, gently tannic finish that shows excellent delineation and minerally cut.
Unlike the Kalimna Shiraz, which is a multiregional blend, the 2016 Bin 150 Marananga Shiraz comes from that specific subregion of the Barossa Valley. It's a clear step up and a lovely wine, with bold berry fruit flavors framed by cedar and vanilla. It's full-bodied and plush, with that generous Barossa Valley character married to the dense Penfolds house style. Not exported to the U.S.
Fruit from Marananga in Barossa Valley. Relatively dry but mild vintage. 12 months in American (25% new) and French (7% new) hogsheads and puncheons. First bottle: Very deep blackish crimson. Salty fresh. Broad, sweet and spicy. Second bottle suggested by Gago: more direct and focused on the nose. Tighter and more youthful but arguably less fun to drink now. (I always think of the very much cheaper Torbeck wine that Marks & Spencer sell carrying the Marananga name.) (JR)
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.