1992 Penfolds Bin 28 Kalimna Shiraz, South Australia

Description

• 8/4/2021 – forceberry wrote:93 Points

  13,5% alcohol. Tasted blind.

  Somewhat evolved, slightly translucent pomegranate color with a maroon hue. The nose feels quite expressive and rather sweetish but also surprisingly fresh with quite concentrated aromas of blackcurrants and ripe blackberries, some green notes of eucalyptus, light smoky notes of toasty wood, light inky notes, a hint of savory wood spice and an evolved touch of dried fruits. The overall feel is bold but also enjoyably developed. The wine feels ripe, slightly sweet-toned and textural on the palate with a full body and concentrated flavors of ripe blackberries and wizened blackcurrants, some sweet oak spice, a little bit of licorice, light cocoa notes of mocha oak, a hint of peppery spice and a touch of salty liquorice. The structure relies mostly on the surprisingly high acidity, whereas the ample but fully resolved tannins contribute mainly to the rich, chewy texture, not to the structure. The long finish is ripe yet quite dry with complex flavors of juicy blackberries, some sweet notes of toasted oak, a little bit of licorice, light chocolatey notes of mocha oak, a savory hint of meaty umami and a touch of peppery spice. The tannins lend a very gentle grippy feel to the gums.

  A wonderfully harmonious, textural and still relatively youthful Aussie Shiraz. My initial thought was that this must be a new world Cabernet Sauvignon, based on the combination of ripe blackcurrant-driven fruit and subtle green notes. Once I noticed the green notes were eucalyptus and not particularly minty, I went for Australia. Based on the somewhat evolved yet still relatively youthful overall feel I guessed late 1990’s to early 2000’s. Well, at least I got the country right. Overall the wine is in a wonderful spot right not, but I can imagine it will continue to improve for some years more and keep for much longer. Although the wine is quite ripe and the oak use feels quite liberal, the oak has integrated quite well with the fruit and the overall impression is not too oaky or gloopy, but instead quite nuanced and sophisticated. A lovely example of mature Shiraz.

  12/15/2018 – srh Likes this wine:

  Winebar [4 Whites, 8 Reds, & 5 *shared* Reds] from 12/14/18 (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA): THANK you, Oscar! 🙂 And, believe it or not, this was actually my 2nd opportunity to try this vintage!

  Aged in AM oak barrels for 12 mos; 13.5% ABV, 6.60g/L T.A., & 3.42 pH

  N: RIPE berries with eucalyptus; Intensity lurking

  P: LM body met by some astringent pucker which quite resolves by the very LONG, very, VERY slightly bitterish finish with a distinct swtness to the dusty tannins. Certainly approachable now, but may not QUITE have peaked? For now & another 5+ yrs more? 14.3% ABV; My EXC+. [Check wine-searcher’s “Tasting Notes” pg for reviews “back in the day,” NONE of which seemed to have predicted THIS type of longevity!