Description
The 1998 Penfolds Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon is an exceptional wine. Regarded as the ‘perfect’ Cabernet Sauvignon by some wine critics.
During the Rewards of Patience, sixth edition, the 1998 Penfolds Bin 707 was described as deep red in colour. Gorgeous, intense dark chocolate/blackcurrant/inky/cedar aromas with plenty of liquorice notes. Velvety, rich, dark chocolate/cassis/mocha/cedar flavours, malty new oak and dense plush, chocolaty tannins. A fabulously concentrated wine with wonderful purity and sweetness of fruit. Has the power and flavour length to go the full distance. A great Penfolds year, the 1998 Penfolds Bin 707 is a classic wine.
Penfolds Bin 707 is made the same was ay Penfolds Grange however Bin 707 is a Cabernet Sauvignon where as Penfolds Grange is a shiraz based wine (most vintages of Penfolds Grange do have a small amount of cabernet sauvignon added, more recently about 2% but some have been as high as 15%). Penfolds Bin 707 is vinified in open stainless steel fermenters lined with wax-lined wooden and stainless steel header boards to optimise extraction of colour and flavour. All components of Penfolds Bin 707 are partially barrel fermented in new seasoned American oak hogsheads for a period of 18 months.
The modern Penfolds Bin 707 represents the Penfolds house red wine style at its most rich and powerful. The Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced mostly from vineyards located in the Coonawarra, Padthaway and Barossa Valley wine regions, including the famous Block 42 Kalimna Vineyard. Penfolds Winemakers seek fully ripe fruit with strong flavours derived from partial barrel fermentation and maturation in new American oak hogsheads for 18 months. This explains why Penfolds still won’t make Penfolds Bin 707 in difficult or more elegant years where the fruit profile is under powered, sinewy or out of character. Penfolds Bin 707 is an immensely concentrated style with dark berry/chocolate fruit balanced by well seasoned new oak, plenty of fruit sweetness and strong, but not overwhelming tannins. Penfolds Bin 707 is a medium to long term cellaring wine. If you can hold out, Penfolds Bin 707 builds up into a complex and fascinating wine.
