TN: 707 cleared for take-off

[GraemeG]

Much delayed catch-up with friends. When the 88 suddenly appeared, I felt obliged to match it...

[url=https://www.cellartracker.com/note.asp?iWine ... te=8900777]1988 Penfolds Cabernet Sauvignon Bin 707[/url] - Australia, South Australia (10/01/2021)
{cork, 12.5%} Level at base of neck. Cork nearly soaked to the top. Decanted just before service & tasted over an hour. Deep aged garnet colour, with a lovely brick tinge. Intense, fragrant nose, in the house style of vanilla and coconut, but also with some blackcurrant character. Leathery hint too. Medium/full-bodied for age, with medium acidity and faded dusty tannins. Sweetly fruited, with a long, enchanting finish. Flavours follow the nose. Side-by-side with the 1998, this was much more open and mature, softer, with a bigger bouquet but gentler palate. Wonderfully consistent though. Mature but could be kept if the level is good. Coonawarra, Barossa, Clare and Southern Vales (is that McLaren?) according to label. Just look at that alcohol. Wish they still made ‘em like this…

[url=https://www.cellartracker.com/note.asp?iWine ... te=8900779]1998 Penfolds Cabernet Sauvignon Bin 707[/url] - Australia, South Australia (10/01/2021)
{cork, 13.5%} Level still into neck. Pristine cork. Decanted just before service and tasted over an hour. Still a deep ruby red, with just a little bricking to indicate age. Sturdy nose, infused with coconut and black fruit. You wouldn’t pick it for twenty. The palate is only partly developed, with the classic Penfolds maturing red characters; some leather, meat and tar, vanilla and chocolate. Black fruit too. Medium powdery tannins, medium acid. Medium/full body. Long finish. Side-by-side with a beautiful example of the 1988, this was more closed on the nose, but heftier on the palate, with more tannin and extract. Absolutely consistent in style, and suggests this will mature further for 15 years easily. No regions identified beyond South Aust on the label.

[Mahmoud Ali]

Nice notes Graeme, and much appreciated due to the fact that I have been sitting on my 1988 Bin 707 for quite a long time and had no idea how it was faring. Sounds like it is doing well and a few more years would do it no harm.

Cheers ........................ Mahmoud.