Penfolds Bin 180 Cabernet Shiraz 2021 with Gift Box

Limited Edition Penfolds Bin 180 Cabernet Shiraz 2021 with Gift Box: A Coonawarra Jewel Celebrating 180 Years

Experience a landmark bottling with the Limited Edition Penfolds Bin 180 Cabernet Shiraz 2021, presented in a distinguished gift box. This exceptional wine is more than a superb expression of Coonawarra terroir; it is a commemorative cuvée, artfully crafted to mark an incredible 180 years of winemaking heritage at Penfolds. It elegantly binds the past, present, and the pioneering spirit of one of the world’s most revered wine producers.

Founded in 1844, Penfolds has forged an illustrious history built upon a relentless pursuit of quality and a distinctive 'House Style'. This philosophy allows for the selection of the finest grapes, unbound by single vineyard constraints, to create wines that are consistently recognisable for their depth, balance, and longevity. The Bin 180 stands as a testament to this enduring tradition, specifically highlighting the long and fruitful relationship between Penfolds and the esteemed Coonawarra region, a terroir famed for its terra rossa soil and its ability to produce Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz of outstanding character. This limited edition release thoughtfully encases progress, tradition, and spirit.

The fruit for the Bin 180 is sourced from esteemed Penfolds vineyard blocks within Coonawarra. The 2021 vintage in Coonawarra was outstanding. A drier than average winter was followed by spring rainfall just below the long-term average. Notably warm conditions in spring, especially November, led to excellent flowering and fruit set – reported as the best in two decades. Timely February rain and healthy soil moisture ensured the vines thrived despite peaks of extreme heat in January and February. Ultimately, the summer and autumn provided ideal growing conditions, allowing both Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz grapes to ripen slowly and evenly, promising wines of exceptional quality and regional expression.

Tasting Notes: A Profound Coonawarra Statement

The Penfolds Bin 180 Cabernet Shiraz 2021 is a wine that commands attention from the moment it is poured.

• Colour: It presents an enlivened, deep purple-red hue, possessing an almost impenetrable core that speaks to its concentration and youth.
• Nose: The aromatic profile is at once pure Coonawarra and unmistakably Penfolds, yet it carries a beguiling otherness, verging on the exotic, that sets it apart from a typical Cabernet Shiraz blend. As the cork is extracted, an immediate and distinctive pastrami ‘meatiness’ is propelled from the glass, piquantly laced with a subtle volatile acidity reminiscent of sauerkraut, alongside intriguing Middle Eastern spices. With a swirl, an ironstone or carbon black, even soot-like, disposition emerges, rationally transitioning to more understandable ‘Coonawarra red dirt’ markers – a true signature of its origin. Once rested in the glass, welcoming airborne hints of berried summer-pudding delights appear, an amalgam of blueberry and blackberry fruits.
• Palate: The palate is nothing short of regal. Yet, without contradiction, it remains youthful, bright, and vivacious. It beautifully mirrors the complexities found on the nose, an honest and seamless cross-over. Chewy, yet refined, tannins wrap themselves around the precisely judged oak, acidity, and fruit extract, inducing a substantial and velvety mouthfeel. This luxurious texture is sensitively indulged by its maturation in 100% one-year-old oak, a choice that imparts structure and subtle nuances without overpowering the fruit. The wine possesses all the right ingredients for remarkable longevity, replete with a ‘solid core’ – a generous and bountiful mid-palate that speaks of its quality. There are no rough edges; instead, a continuum of so many flavours lingers and appears to ‘thicken up’ in the glass, evolving with each passing moment. This is a wine that demands time and patience to fully appreciate its unfolding layers. It is, as noted by the winemakers, not quite Cabernet, not quite Shiraz, but a 'turbo-charged Coonawarra'. Truly special.

Serving Suggestions for an Unforgettable Experience

To allow the Penfolds Bin 180 Cabernet Shiraz 2021 to express its full grandeur, cellar temperature, around 16-18°C (60-64°F), is ideal. Given its youth, power, and complexity, decanting for a significant period – at least one to two hours before serving – is strongly advised. This will encourage the wine to open up, softening its tannins and allowing the intricate array of aromas and flavours to fully emerge. Serve in large Bordeaux-style glasses to best appreciate its aromatic depth and structure.

Detailed Food Matches: A Harmony of Flavours

This distinguished Cabernet Shiraz, with its robust structure and multifaceted flavour profile, calls for equally impressive culinary partners.

• Prime Red Meats: A classic accompaniment would be grilled or roasted prime cuts. Consider a perfectly cooked ribeye steak with a peppercorn sauce, a slow-roasted leg of lamb studded with rosemary and garlic, or a luxurious beef Wellington. The wine’s tannins will integrate splendidly with the proteins.
• Hearty Game Dishes: The depth of Bin 180 makes it a superb match for richer game. Roast venison with a redcurrant jus, braised pheasant, or a rich game terrine would be beautifully complemented.
• Aged and Flavoursome Cheeses: (See specific cheese pairing below).
• Sophisticated Comfort Food: Elevate classic comfort dishes. A gourmet beef and mushroom pie with rich, shortcrust pastry, or slow-cooked oxtail stew would be wonderful partners.
• Barbecued Meats with Spice: The wine’s spicy notes and robust fruit can handle well-marinated and barbecued red meats, particularly those with a touch of smoke and spice, such as beef brisket or lamb ribs.

Cheese Pairing Recommendation:

For an exceptional cheese pairing with the Penfolds Bin 180, select a mature, hard cheese with depth and complexity. A high-quality Montgomery's Cheddar, aged for at least 18 months, would be an outstanding choice. Its dense texture, savoury character, and complex, nutty, and sometimes brothy notes will stand shoulder to shoulder with the wine's intensity. The cheese’s inherent richness and slight sharpness will cut through the wine’s structure beautifully, creating a harmonious and memorable tasting experience.

Extraordinary Acclaim:

The Penfolds Bin 180 Coonawarra Cabernet Shiraz 2021 has received exceptional recognition from some of the most respected voices in the wine world, a testament to its extraordinary quality:

• 99 Points - Tyson Stelzer
• 99 Points - Ken Gargett
• 99 Points - Huon Hooke, The Real Review
• 98+ Points - Colin Hay, The Drinks Business
• 98 Points - Ray Jordan

This limited edition Penfolds Bin 180 is a profound statement from Coonawarra, a collector's piece, and a magnificent wine to savour on special occasions. It encapsulates 180 years of Penfolds’ dedication to excellence, offering a truly special drinking experience that will evolve gracefully for many years to come.