Penfolds Bin 389 - 1998s for $45 ?

[action2096]

Hi,

A local bottle shop has just recieved a shipment of 98 Bin 389 and are putting it out at $45p/b. I've had a look around and that seems like a pretty good price.. Any thoughts ?

PS: Has anyone tried one of these lately.. I've had a couple of bottles of the 02 and think that it has a lot of potential but i haven't tried the 98

Cheers

Chris

[Kieran]

The 98 is an excellent 389 (almost certainly a fair bit better than the 02). The price is fair.

Kieran

[707]

Haven't been enamored with the Penfolds wines for some time but did buy the 1998 Bin 389, it's a very good wine.

$45 per bottle seems a fair price given the current release p[rice for a wine IMO isn't up to the 1998. Buy.

[Von Ridler]

Tried it alongside the 02 389 recently at the Penfolds Bin releases.
Vey nice wine ,most impressed. My 98 389 are still untouched.
Seems like a good price.




Regards,
Rob.

[n4sir]

Hi,

A local bottle shop has just recieved a shipment of 98 Bin 389 and are putting it out at $45p/b. I've had a look around and that seems like a pretty good price.. Any thoughts ?

PS: Has anyone tried one of these lately.. I've had a couple of bottles of the 02 and think that it has a lot of potential but i haven't tried the 98

Cheers

Chris

Hi Chris,

I tried the two vintages back-to-back at a Penfolds Masterclass a couple of months ago, and the 1998 came out on top for me:

http://www.auswine.com.au/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2984

The 1998 sold for around the $36-$40/bottle mark at the last Sydney auction, so by the time commission kicks in the shop's price is close to the mark, with the added bonus of being able to return them if faulty.

What you may want to go for will depend on a couple of things:

Firstly (and most importantly) where did the bottle shop get their stock from? - if it's direct from Southcorp as part of their cost cutting great, but if it's from auction the bottles may be further advanced than my tasting note, and possibly what you would like. It's worth asking them the question, as there's always been a lot of this wine available at auction.

I'm a bit undecided on the 2002, as I've struck (and heard of) a bit of bottle variation already - I'd like to revisit it again in another 6-12 months time when I think I'll get a better idea. It's the most promising Bin 389 since the 1998 vintage, but ultimately that's not saying much plus there's a lot of attractive alternatives for $45.

Cheers
Ian

[Maximus]

The '96's usually sell for $40-$50 at auction, not taking into account commission and delivery, etc. So for an extra five or ten bucks, you may want to allocate some of your loose change to the '96...

[707]

Oooooh yes, the 1996 Bin 389 is a cracker, pity they don't make them like that anymore!

[action2096]

Thanks for the opinions guys

I pretty sure that the stock available is from Southcorp so i think i'll get a few.

Already have 1/2 a case of the 02's so it would be good to compare