Bin 2002

[Guest]

These wines are bringing in good reports already will anyone here buy more than a couple of bottles?

The only downer is the 389 will not be 20 year wines like 96 and 98.

[Red Bigot]

The only downer is the 389 will not be 20 year wines like 96 and 98.

Have you tried the 389? Even if you are correct, I'm not worried about it lasting 20 years, I might not last that long! I've always drunk most of my 389 at around the 8-12 year range, some with the odd good vintage having a few held back for longer, eg 91.

Based on a quick taste of the 2002 389 at the NWS last year (it shone well above the 2001 in the same class of wines, 2002 Gold, 2001 no medal), I'm likely to buy a 6-pack, but I'm waiting for the tastings and some decent prices, I gather the price hasn't risen from last year, so about $32.50 should be a good street price, same as last year, or even closer to $30 on spot specials.

[Gavin Trott]

The only downer is the 389 will not be 20 year wines like 96 and 98.

Have you tried the 389? Even if you are correct, I'm not worried about it lasting 20 years, I might not last that long! I've always drunk most of my 389 at around the 8-12 year range, some with the odd good vintage having a few held back for longer, eg 91.

Based on a quick taste of the 2002 389 at the NWS last year (it shone well above the 2001 in the same class of wines, 2002 Gold, 2001 no medal), I'm likely to buy a 6-pack, but I'm waiting for the tastings and some decent prices, I gather the price hasn't risen from last year, so about $32.50 should be a good street price, same as last year, or even closer to $30 on spot specials.

I have been told Bin 389 up $5 at whoesale, which may make some, but not a lot, of differnce at final retail.

[Guest]

The only downer is the 389 will not be 20 year wines like 96 and 98.

Have you tried the 389? Even if you are correct, I'm not worried about it lasting 20 years, I might not last that long! I've always drunk most of my 389 at around the 8-12 year range, some with the odd good vintage having a few held back for longer, eg 91.

Based on a quick taste of the 2002 389 at the NWS last year (it shone well above the 2001 in the same class of wines, 2002 Gold, 2001 no medal), I'm likely to buy a 6-pack, but I'm waiting for the tastings and some decent prices, I gather the price hasn't risen from last year, so about $32.50 should be a good street price, same as last year, or even closer to $30 on spot specials.

Yes i have tried it and own many 96,98 also a few 95's and 01's. I find the 95 drinks well but the 96,98 and 01 are not even in their prime. Im buying atleast 12 along with a few of the 407 which was magical. Also I dont expect to see Bin wines as good as the 02 for atleast another 3 years.

[707]

I've found the Penfolds Bin range a bit underwhelming since the 1996s. The 2001s were pedestrian at best and overpriced, even the 1998s didn't excite greatly. I'm encouraged by the reports from independent palates like Brian (Red Bigot) & Ric (TORB) who gave the thumbs up the the show samples at the Sydney Show. Not that I'm suggesting anything but I'll be interested to see if the retail stock is as good as those samples.

As always I'll only buy after trying them and running them blind against peer group wines. The 98s and 01s failed the blind test.

Guest, don't be fooled by the pre release marketing hype, judge them for yourself. As for no more good vintages being on the horizon, I'd suggest the next one may only be a couple of releases away if Penfolds have managed to do as well as many of the small makers.

BTW, which 407 did you find "magical"? That is one line I think is very ordinary.

[Guest]

I found the 01 Bin 389 lacking and thus dont have many. I absoloutley loved the 98 contrary to many peoples tastes. What a lengthy finish that just goes forever. It will be interesting to see if that finish stays when the wine settles down the track. Never bought any 99 or 00 after trying each.

The magical 407 that i reffered to is 96. If the 02 is as close as many say it is i will not be before time. 00 and 01 were terrible IMO.

[Guest]

Guest, don't be fooled by the pre release marketing hype, judge them for yourself. As for no more good vintages being on the horizon, I'd suggest the next one may only be a couple of releases away if Penfolds have managed to do as well as many of the small makers.

.

Do you think 03 or 04 could be good?

[Bobsi]

I've found the Penfolds Bin range a bit underwhelming since the 1996s. The 2001s were pedestrian at best and overpriced, even the 1998s didn't excite greatly. I'm encouraged by the reports from independent palates like Brian (Red Bigot) & Ric (TORB) who gave the thumbs up the the show samples at the Sydney Show. Not that I'm suggesting anything but I'll be interested to see if the retail stock is as good as those samples.

As always I'll only buy after trying them and running them blind against peer group wines. The 98s and 01s failed the blind test.

Guest, don't be fooled by the pre release marketing hype, judge them for yourself. As for no more good vintages being on the horizon, I'd suggest the next one may only be a couple of releases away if Penfolds have managed to do as well as many of the small makers.

BTW, which 407 did you find "magical"? That is one line I think is very ordinary.

707 Have Torb or Biggot put tasting notes up? I seaeched but cant find any.

Cheers

[Red Bigot]

707 Have Torb or Biggot put tasting notes up? I seaeched but cant find any.

Cheers

Bobsi, you can call me RB, I don't know what a "biggot" is.

I haven't tried the 2002 Bin reds yet, except for the 389 amongst over 100 wines tasted in a 2-hr rushed session at the NWS last November, so just a favourable impression of that. I don't think Ric has tasted them yet either, it's certainly not up on his site. I'll be waiting for the VC or DM tastings like most other people, I don't have any trade connections.

[Gavin Trott]

I don't have any trade connections.

You know me!

Hey, you can have my spot over here next Wednesday.

[Red Bigot]

I don't have any trade connections.

You know me!

Hey, you can have my spot over here next Wednesday.

Thanks Gavin, but I'm not quite that eager to taste them. I used to get invited to the VC private tastings years ago before their pricing policy changed, but when you don't buy anything from them they (quite reasonably) tend to drop you off the invite list.

[707]

Guest, 2004 is shaping very well albeit still in barrel. Have a good look at the 02s rather than talking yourself into what you're going to buy based on the Penfolds pre release hype, hype that is also carried by a number of retailers trying to pump up early sales. Believe me, they won't sell out before you have a chance to make more measured decisions.

[TORB]

II'm encouraged by the reports from independent palates like Brian (Red Bigot) & Ric (TORB) who gave the thumbs up the the show samples at the Sydney Show.

Not this littel black duck Steve, it was Brian at the N.W.S. in Canberra. My only comment was that it won gold there which is not easy.

[Guest]

Guest, 2004 is shaping very well albeit still in barrel. Have a good look at the 02s rather than talking yourself into what you're going to buy based on the Penfolds pre release hype, hype that is also carried by a number of retailers trying to pump up early sales. Believe me, they won't sell out before you have a chance to make more measured decisions.

Will deffinatly sample first 707 as i know that every vintage released is the ultimate. I know liking Penfolds doesnt sound very complicated but generally on any half decent vintage 389 is a good drop albeit a more expensive one than a few years back and needs to stay where it is imo for a while yet.

[Guest]

Guest, 2004 is shaping very well albeit still in barrel. Have a good look at the 02s rather than talking yourself into what you're going to buy based on the Penfolds pre release hype, hype that is also carried by a number of retailers trying to pump up early sales. Believe me, they won't sell out before you have a chance to make more measured decisions.

Will deffinatly sample first 707 as i know that every vintage released is the ultimate. I know liking Penfolds doesnt sound very complicated but generally on any half decent vintage 389 is a good drop albeit a more expensive one than a few years back and needs to stay where it is imo for a while yet.