TN: Penfolds Bin 90a and Bin 920

[Waiters Friend]

G'day

These were part of a memorable Sunday lunch with some Wagyu beef on the bone. "Bring on the brontosaurus" was the cry, and there was the odd Flintstones reference.

These Special Bin wines were released in August 1994 as part of Penfolds 150th anniversary. The corresponding Grange was the first Grange to a) break the $100 per bottle barrier and b) score 100 Parker Points.

These were double decanted around 3 hours before service, and then poured about 15 minutes before tasting. In the picture below, the glass on the left is the Bin 90a. Tasting notes are a compilation of the lucky few present.

Penfolds Bin 90a - 65% Coonawarra Cabernet 35% Barossa Shiraz

Colour: Deep purple / tawny with a touch of bricking

Nose: Christmas cake, tobacco leaf, ripe plums, old Chesterfield leather, ripe developed blackcurrants. There’s also cloves, mocha and a slight degree of earthiness. Layers of complexity.

Palate: Lots of raspberry and red berry fruit, some blackcurrant, chocolate and more leather. Well integrated tannins, and an incredibly long finish. The wine is a study in complexity with balance.

Penfolds Bin 920: 65% Coonawarra Cabernet 35% Coonawarra Shiraz

Colour: Red / garnet

Nose: Lots of mint and eucalypt, typical Coonawarra. There’s also tobacco / cigar-box, a touch of licorice, red fruits, dried oregano and some capsicum. The shiraz component is less apparent than the cabernet.

Palate: Bright red and blue fruits, firm tannins, reasonably high acid, charcuterie and bacon fat, tomato leaf. Compared to the Bin 90a, it’s slightly shorter in length (very very long vs extremely long!), and appears less developed.

What amazing wines! The notes probably do not reflect the complexity and many layers. They are truly complete wines, and amongst the greatest Australian red wines I have tasted.

It was considered that the Bin 90a is probably at its absolute peak, although will plateau fior a few years. By a small margin, this was the preferred wine on the day. The Bin 920 appears more youthful, and may well develop further over the next few years. It will be interesting to repeat this tasting in 3-5 years.

Cheers
Allan

[Mike Hawkins]

Thanks Allan... an excellent read.

I was just talking to a couple of mates about having the same 2 wines along with the 90 Grange some time soon.... Time to make it happen!

[Waiters Friend]

Thanks Allan... an excellent read.

I was just talking to a couple of mates about having the same 2 wines along with the 90 Grange some time soon.... Time to make it happen!

It would have been interesting indeed to have the 1990 Grange alongside these, although we chose not to do so (only 4 people present). Please post your notes when you do!

[dave vino]

Thanks Allan... an excellent read.

I was just talking to a couple of mates about having the same 2 wines along with the 90 Grange some time soon.... Time to make it happen!

What time did you want me there?

90A is/has been one of my favourite Aussie wines ever, the times I've had it (so balanced and complete)

[mjs]

Like Dave, the 90A is one of my favourite wines. Have the odd bottle from time to time, with a few left in the cellar, in fact still have a couple left tucked away in the original wooden six pack box which I got in the mid 90’s. Bottles (carefully) sourced on the secondary market have been very good to exceptional and at about $300/b are excellent value. One tasted last year looked to have 20-30years left in it! The orignal purchase bottles have all been exceptional. Complexity and length are fantastic as you say.

It happens to be a birthday week this week, so am considering another 90A on Saturday along with a 96 Block42

[Mike Hawkins]

I’m keen to try the 90a alongside the 04 60a at some stage

[Bobthebuilder]

I had the bin 90a once
Maybs brought it to a dinner party at hackers
It was sublime
I brought a hill of grace 91 I think, which was left for dead by it (that said it was an auction buy and appeared a bit heat affected]
I also brought a Barolo which was in good form, but the 90a just drew any possible attention away from it, not undeservedly either.

[michel]

I had the bin 90a once
Maybs brought it to a dinner party at hackers
It was sublime
I brought a hill of grace 91 I think, which was left for dead by it (that said it was an auction buy and appeared a bit heat affected]
I also brought a Barolo which was in good form, but the 90a just drew any possible attention away from it, not undeservedly either.

I would like more information on the Barolo

Photograph and TN
Please

[Bobthebuilder]

I had the bin 90a once
Maybs brought it to a dinner party at hackers
It was sublime
I brought a hill of grace 91 I think, which was left for dead by it (that said it was an auction buy and appeared a bit heat affected]
I also brought a Barolo which was in good form, but the 90a just drew any possible attention away from it, not undeservedly either.

I would like more information on the Barolo

Photograph and TN
Please

I honestly can’t be sure,but am pretty certain it was a 2007 Mauro Veglio Arborina.
Still very young, bright cherry, minerals and some leather.
Just bad timing, it was served alongside the 90a as this was a dinner party not a tasting.
Needed more time, I have one left which will sleep a while longer.

[Con J]

Like Dave, the 90A is one of my favourite wines. Have the odd bottle from time to time, with a few left in the cellar, in fact still have a couple left tucked away in the original wooden six pack box which I got in the mid 90’s. Bottles (carefully) sourced on the secondary market have been very good to exceptional and at about $300/b are excellent value. One tasted last year looked to have 20-30years left in it! The orignal purchase bottles have all been exceptional. Complexity and length are fantastic as you say.

It happens to be a birthday week this week, so am considering another 90A on Saturday along with a 96 Block42

Hi Malcolm.

I had the 96 Block 42 about a year ago and to be honest I won't touch my only bottle for at least 20 years, it really was tough going.

I was there when you opened the Bin 90A, picked it as Penfolds from the first smell and that too was still very primary and yes good bottles will go 20 - 30 years easy.

Both great wines but I'd bury them in the back of the cellar and forget about them for a long time.

Cheers Con.

[TiggerK]

Hi Malcolm.

I had the 96 Block 42 about a year ago and to be honest I won't touch my only bottle for at least 20 years, it really was tough going.

I was there when you opened the Bin 90A, picked it as Penfolds from the first smell and that too was still very primary and yes good bottles will go 20 - 30 years easy.

Both great wines but I'd bury them in the back of the cellar and forget about them for a long time.

Cheers Con.

Fully agree the 96 Block 42 won't be ready yet, was all American oak last time I tried, major long term wine.

But 90a is drinking so well now (based on the superb bottle I had a few years ago) that if I only had one left I'd have no hesitation opening it now for a special occasion. Yes it may improve, but it's nearly 30, so not like it's vinfanticide, and it felt in a long peak drinking window for me, based on one bottle only of course.

Cheers
Tim

[Chuck]

As I have said many times the 90A is the best wine I have ever experienced although it was early on in my wine journey. My most vivid recollection was noting I was quite happy just smelling it. I hope it can come close to emulating the 1962 Bin 60A (same concept), a bottle of which I stupidly sold to finance my habit when kids were pressuring the budget. A few months after selling it it was rated number 7 in the top 100 wines in the history of wine from the globe over. Boy was I pissed off. Now selling at auction for around $6,500. Such is life but at least there are 2 x 90As tucked away.

Carl

[mjs]

As I have said many times the 90A is the best wine I have ever experienced although it was early on in my wine journey. My most vivid recollection was noting I was quite happy just smelling it. I hope it can come close to emulating the 1962 Bin 60A (same concept), a bottle of which I stupidly sold to finance my habit when kids were pressuring the budget. A few months after selling it it was rated number 7 in the top 100 wines in the history of wine from the globe over. Boy was I pissed off. Now selling at auction for around $6,500. Such is life but at least there are 2 x 90As tucked away.

Carl

You'd be lucky to get '62 Bin 60A for $6,500 at auction these days