2012 Penfolds "Bin 138" Old Vine Grenache-Shiraz-Mataro Barossa Valley

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2012 Penfolds "Bin 138" Old Vine Grenache-Shiraz-Mataro Barossa Valley SKU #1159241

Price: $19.99

JH 94

JS 93

RP 91

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Professional Reviews

James Halliday
94
A vintage well suited to this blend of 66/23/11% shiraz/grenache/mataro, creating a wine of even flow, lively acid balance and firm, finely textured tannin support. Violet fragrance and well-defined berry fruits are layered with pepper and spice, confirming a restrained, poised and ageworthy Bin 138, set to go down among the greats.
James Suckling
93
The blend in 2012 is shiraz (66%), grenache (23%) and mataro (11%) and shows a wealth of red and blue fruits on offer with attractive brambly summer berry aromas, quite fresh and fragrant, some tarry blue fruits too. The palate has tangy juicy appeal, a stylish and elegant vintage for Bin 138 with plenty of immediate appeal. Dark summer berry flavours, supple swirling tannins and terrific balance here. One of the best value Penfolds reds this year.

(03/2014)
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
91
91+ points. A blend of 66% Shiraz, 23% Grenache and the balance Mataro, the deep garnet-purple colored 2012 Bin 138 Shiraz Grenache Mataro opens to red currants and black raspberry fragrances with hints of Chinese Five Spice, roses and black pepper. With tons of sweet, red berry fruit in the mouth enhanced by a gentle spiciness, the structured, medium level of rounded tannins and lively acid holds through the long finish. Drink it now to 2019+. (LPB)

(02/2014)
Jancis Robinson

The wine was elevated to the Bin range with the 1998 Bin 138. Sourced from old, low-yielding Barossa Valley vines, this is one of the few wines that remains in component form during older, oak maturation and is blended just prior to bottling. 66% Shiraz, 23% Grenache, 11% Mataro from the Barossa Valley. TA 6.2 g/l, pH 3.62. 12 months in seasoned American oak hogsheads. Components are kept separate until the last minute because Grenache is more unpredictable. Deep, dark and perfumed, even a little floral. But there's sweet blueberry fruit too. Lots of juicy fruit. And very lively and refreshing. Old and bigger oak to retain perfume and fruit. Plush and generously fruited, sweet dark fruit. Softly chewy tannins. Caressing. Subtle in its sweetness. (JH)

(02/2014)

K&L Notes

The 20th release of this classic Penfolds Barossa Valley blend, and it's a stunner! Composed of 66% Shiraz, 23% Grenache and 11% Mataro (Mourvedre). Sourced from old vines in Barossa Valley, vinified in seperate lots before a final careful blending of components. The individual wines are rested in seasoned (older) American oak barrels that have very little impact on the flavor profile in order to preserve the purity and rich fruit-driven dynamic of this Bin. The 138 is an exuberant wine. Powerful aromatics of kirsch, boysenberries and spice cake. The palate is lush, rich and satisfyingly full-bodied. A beautiful rendition of this Barossa go to with just the right amount of stylized Penfolds winemaking.

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Staff Reviews

By: Kirk Walker
8/11/2016
K&L Staff Member

This has a dark, rich enticing nose with toasted coconut, vanilla, deep dark fruits and spice. It is very inviting like how I remember my parents house at Christmas when I was a child. It is full bodied, round and mouth filling. Lots of dark cherries, blackberries and spice. The is just enough tannin to support the fruit without detracting from the round texture. This wine way over delivers at this price point.
By: Dave Genevro
8/11/2016
K&L Staff Member

Raspberries, thyme & rosemary, meat, and black pepper corns filled the nose. The delivery was rich, with some up front spices and follows through with great mid-palate plump and sweet berry fruits. A long and generous length.
By: Ryan Woodhouse
8/10/2016
K&L Staff Member

**Update We just got a chance to re-up on this wine at an even better price! Don't miss it!** This wine is just brimming full of briary bramble fruit, exotic spices, some meaty gamey notes and a sweet, supple, juicy element that is hard to capture in words. The wine has a fine balance of purity and density, the extract is perfect giving ample body and richness but never feeling heavy or losing freshness and drive. Bin 138 really shows why this blend has endured across the ages as it pulls elements from each of its individual components. Grenache provides the bright spicy fruit, Shiraz a darker edge, structure and meaty element the Mataro (Mourvedre) adding its unmistakable earthy undertones and savory dimension. A really great wine equally enjoyable for lovers of Aussie GSMs and Châteauneuf-du-Papes alike!
Top Value! Drink from 2014 to 2024
By: Jim Chanteloup
11/4/2015
K&L Staff Member

The Bin 138 is a blend of 66% Shiraz, 23% Grenache and 11% Mataro (Mourvedre)that belongs in the hands of anyone who is a fan of these classic Aussie blends or wines from the Southern Rhone Valley. The nose is lifted with blueberry, black raspberry,pepper, leather, roasted grains, damp earth, bittersweet chocolate and a light pencil lead/graphite note. On the palate the wine is polished and refined with fine grained tanninns, good structure and a long layered persistent finish. A few years in the cellar will only reward or decant for an hour or two for the near term.