1983 Penfolds Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon 750ml (Clinic 2014)

Penfolds Red Wine Re-corking Clinic 2014

Inspired by the iconic jet that took it to the world. The rich and powerful Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon, our first commercial release of a single cabernet-based wine, is linked to Max Schubert’s dream of making a great Australian red wine that could last at least 20 years. During the ‘50s and early ‘60s cabernet sauvignon was mostly used for blending, but Schubert’s breakthrough with the varietal as a stand-alone wine came in 1964 with inaugural vintage. Early Bin 707s were typically open fermented under wax-lined header boards and matured in seasoned old oak (rather than new oak). The wine was not made from 1970 to 1975 (when fruit was directed to other wines) nor in 1981, 1995, 2000, 2003, 2011 or 2017 (when fruit of the required style and quality was not available).

Tough and rather astringent, the fruit lacks generosity and richness. Harvested early to avoid the summer heat, the tannins remained overly strong. The 11.2% ABV highlights this issue.