Another '96 Bin 389, and an Amy

[John #11]

1996 Penfolds Bin 389 Cab Shiraz
This time, an absolutely fabulous bottle, perhaps the best I've had yet!
The cork was deeply stained, but only 2mm.
The nose was all at once magnificent, lifted and floral cabernet, a couple of green aromas, but plum and black berries dominate the nose, some brown sugar, a little oak and a few violets later on.
The palate was just perfect, plums, backberries, black currants, creme de cassis, some green leafy herbal tastes. Mostly savoury, herbs, some earth and mulch, a long satisfying finish. Background oak, very soft, transparent tannins.
This boittle didn't need a prolonged decant, or breathing, it was pretty much pour and drink.
This bottle 98/100 As Attila would say, "Wow!"

2007 Amys blend (Moss Wood, MR)
A very big mistake opening this after the 389, it was made to look and feel very raw, angular, short, and simple. There were some lifted floral notes courtesy of the Petit Verdot, I thought the Malbec was very much AWOL, complexity was lacking, but in no way a bad wine. Unfortunately, with time in the glass, the balance was more disrupted, and it became a struggle to finish the bottle.
My second bottle (and last), but will not be buying any more.

This bottle 88/100, and again is a disappointment.

Cheers John

[Jay60A]

Hi John

Thanks for affirming my recent purchase of a couple of six-packs! imo this is a future classic than can still be bought reasonably. fwiw I suspect your bottle is marginally developed as most I have had needed time to open up. Perfectly ripe cabernet fruit (just perfect), low-oak treatment to let it express itself, and a shiraz component that would now go into RWT instead gave a result that is spectacularly unforced and simply ... yummy.

Cheers

[griff]

Hi John

Thanks for affirming my recent purchase of a couple of six-packs! imo this is a future classic than can still be bought reasonably. fwiw I suspect your bottle is marginally developed as most I have had needed time to open up. Perfectly ripe cabernet fruit (just perfect), low-oak treatment to let it express itself, and a shiraz component that would now go into RWT instead gave a result that is spectacularly unforced and simply ... yummy.

Cheers

I wouldn't say it was low oak but yes it is the goods

cheers

Carl

[Wayno]

Nice to see a good example of the 96 389 written up. Deservedly great wine.

[Phil Wilkins]

I hope my last two bottles of '96 389 are to the same standard of your bottle! Nice note too.

[Roddy]

Yeah a good '96 389 is indeed sublime.

[dazza1968]

I have to tell you this is a wine i have not touched so still have a dozen there but boy its been difficult I keep up to date with what alot of you guys write and i think thats not a bad reference to follow Its my daughters birth year so this plays on my mind as well

Regards Dazza