Penfolds Bin 138 Barossa Valley Shiraz Grenache Mataro 2019
- 94
- $60
- Drink by: 2022 - 2032
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The blend is 70% Shiraz, 17% Grenache and 13% Mataro (Mourvedre), much of which comes from vineyards planted over a century ago. Matured in a mix of older French (80%) and American (20%) oak.
Colour is dense, dark purples. The aroma gives enticing notes of chocolate, dry herbs, mocha, spices, cassis, cocoa powder and mulberries. Powerful and rich and muscular, the balance ensures it never seems too heavy. On the palate, notes of molten chocolate and fruitcake. Rich and juicy, this is still very young. Lot of tannins, through to a firm finish. Impressive length. Structure is excellent. The wine might be firm, but there is a lovely seductive texture. Surely a decade or more ahead of it. Towards the finish, notes of soy sauce and beef stock appeared. Love this wine.
Ken was born and bred in Brisbane, Queensland. He had a non-trendy, perfectly happy childhood, in a family convinced alcohol meant instant condemnation to Hades. But a break fishing on the Great Barrier Reef, and some good wine, started a serious obsession that eventually took over. It did not stop Ken being chastised later for drinking Pol champagne, disgusted he’d drink anything made by a Cambodian dictator. Now, Ken mostly writes on wine, champagne and spirits for various newspapers, magazines and books, but is perhaps best known for his work in The Courier Mail. He also has a little sideline writing on cigars, fishing, travel and food. When not writing, fly-fishing for trout in NZ or bonefish on the flats of Cuba, travelling or smoking cigars, he is no doubt following a variety of sporting teams – the occasionally glorious Queensland Reds rugby, the dysfunctional Washington Redskins, the dodgy Arsenal and especially revels in the world restored to its proper axis with the return of the Ashes to their rightful home.
