95pts Australian Wine Companion

In '98, a heritage selection of cuttings from the Kalimna and Magill Estate vineyards were planted on Californian soil and this wine, a blend of 66/34% Napa Valley cabernet sauvignon/Paso Robles shiraz is the culmination of the project. Deep crimson/magenta in the glass with an initial rush of medina spice and fruit tones of plush blueberry, blackberry, dried raspberry and black cherry. This is such a pretty, pure-smelling wine, with hints of berry cream, baking spices, crushed stone, pan juices, roasting meats, graphite, cedar and earth. Finely structure and pure of fruit; it's delicious now but will repay cellaring.

94pts James Suckling

Plush, opulent aromas of damson plums, blackcurrants, cedar, bitter chocolate and cured meats. The palate is supple and rounded with softly integrated tannins and a robust yet polished finish. A great-value wine with plenty to offer, made from 66% Napa cabernet sauvignon and 34% Paso shiraz. Drink or hold.

Winemaker Notes

Bin 600 is intrinsically linked to Penfolds beginnings in California, a narrative that now spans more than twenty years. In 1998, Penfolds imported a heritage selection of vine cuttings from South Australia’s esteemed Kalimna and Magill Estate vineyards, and planted them in Californian soil. The original name of the Camatta Hills vineyard was Creston “600” Ranch, a special place in the Penfolds California timeline for it serves as a reference point to the start of their American journey. Creston Ranch is now honored in the wine’s name, Bin 600. In recognition of Penfolds history within the Californian wine story, grapes from the original 1998 vine cuttings feature in this Cabernet-Shiraz blend. A blend that has been revered and championed by Penfolds in their modern winemaking era.

Blend: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Shiraz