The first range of ‘bin wines’ were crafted in 1960 by the legendary winemaker Max Schubert. His aspiration was to create a “family of wines which shared the distinctive Penfolds quality stamp while exhibiting a unique style of their own.”
Of Penfolds wines the 389 bin is the most famous and popular specifically their Cabernet Shiraz but the range also includes:
- Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon
- Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon
- Kalimna Bin 28 Shiraz
- Bin 128 Coonawarra Shiraz
- Bin 150 Marananga Shiraz
- Bin 138 Shiraz Grenache Mataro
- Bin 23 Pinot Noir
- Bin 311 Chardonnay
- Bin 51 Eden Valley Riesling
What is special about it?
Bin 389 is the second most cellared wine in Australia, behind the Penfolds Grange. It’s been lovingly nicknamed “Baby Grange” as the wine is matured in the same barrels as the Grange. These wines have been given drinking windows of between 20-30 years meaning that they can be drunk young or as they mature.
What type of wine is it? What grape blends?
The Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz is a bright garnet colour and has a fragrant scent and you can taste a balance of dark berries and oak.
Penfolds Bin 389 Reviews
2010 - I've been drinking Bin 389 for the last 30-something years, not so often these days given the price though. Some say 2010 wasn't the best year - I don't care, it was simply fantastic.
1996 - This has all the hallmarks of a baby grange. Tased this against the 96 Grange, and let me say that the 389 certainly held its own. Whilst the Grange has a lot more fruit power, and imparted oak, the 389 had incredible black fruit on the nose, and mid-palate chocolately oak was apparent, with a finish that was long and etonian.
How much should you expect to pay?
Prices do vary but here is a basic guide for what you should pay for Bin 389.
Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz, 1972 RRP $575.00
Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz, 1973 RRP $549.00
Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz, 1990 RRP $209.99
Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz, 1994 RRP $169.99
Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz, 1998 RRP $159.99
Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz, 2000 RRP $164.99
Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz, 1996 RRP $164.99
Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz, 1997 RRP $159.99
Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz, 1999 RRP $139.99
Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz, 2000 RRP $139.99
Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz, 2001 RRP $139.99
Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz, 2002 RRP $124.99
Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz, 2003 RRP $124.99
Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz, 2004 RRP $129.99
Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz, 2005 RRP $119.99
Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz, 2006 RRP $114.99
Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz, 2009 RRP $109.99
Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz, 2010 RRP $109.99
Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz, 2011 RRP $109.99
Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz, 2012 RRP $109.99
Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz, 2013 RRP $109.99
Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz, 2014 RRP $109.99
Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz, 2015 RRP $84.99
Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz, 2016 RRP $86.99
Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz, 2017 RRP $94.90
Prices as 8th August 2019
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