The Auswine Forum

Has anyone had any sneak tastes of the bin wines (particulary 389 & St Henri (I know this a latter release)) as yet? What is the usual release date for these - Start of March or April? I am thinking it might be my last purchase of the 389 and St H if prices keeping going up like what has been suggested around the traps.

March 1 in NZ. I think Ric has tasted it and says its better than the 04, in which case it could be a buy year damn it

I think it was Brian who said he had a look at the 389 at the NWS last year, and that it was significantly better than the 2004.

Penfolds Magill Estate Club members will get a sneek peak at the Bin series on the 26th before the March 1st release. The 2004 St Henri will be released with the other icons as usual on May 1st, so we won't get a look until late in April.

Cheers,
Ian

n4sir wrote:I think it was Brian who said he had a look at the 389 at the NWS last year, and that it was significantly better than the 2004.

Indeed it was I and it was at the NWS and I tried it a couple of times and IMO it is indeed a big step up on the 2004 and I am hoping the release special prices will be tempting enough, I want some for my cellar.

They would want to be. The RRPs look ridiculous!

Brian, looking forward to it based on your thoughts. I was of the view the 04 was the best Bin 389 since 96, so if the 05 is better, its going to go down as one of the best from the label.

Cheers

Mike

RRP of $58 (AUD), I wonder how close to that it will end up in the real world with all the talk of retailers paying a higher buy price than last year?Might not be seen under $50 again...

If its like the 96 I will buy.

Mike Hawkins wrote:Brian, looking forward to it based on your thoughts. I was of the view the 04 was the best Bin 389 since 96, so if the 05 is better, its going to go down as one of the best from the label.

Cheers

Mike

Mike, unfortunately that's not a huge recommendation, although I personally only bought a few bottles of the 2002 since the 98 vintage and was never tempted by the 2004, there was too many better value and better wines from 2004. Tasting the 2005 and 2004 Bin 389 side by side showed how big the difference was. The judges thought so too, awarding the 2005 top Gold and the 2004 a bronze (or maybe even no medal, I'd have to check the results again) in the same class.

If the RRP is now $58, you should be able to get at least 20% off at release, so probably $45 might be a very good price this time.

Gawd. $45 for Bin 389. The times we live in....
Graeme

i liked the 04 Bin 389, the first one ive bought since 98, and i think i liked the 04 better than 98

i found the 04 to have good pure fruit compared to the muddles and forced vintages 99-03, softly textured, foot off the gas - was nice. I also bought all mine for between $10 and $27 a bottle so price was right

if the 05 is even better i will be grabbing a few, sure to be some sharp supermarket release deals in NZ at around $30 hopefully

and for those that have a closure preference, the 2005 Bin 389 will be released in screwcap + cork.

tos wrote:and for those that have a closure preference, the 2005 Bin 389 will be released in screwcap + cork.

** As was the 2004. I doubt that Fosters will be reverting to the exclusive use of cork any time soon. I think that Grange is the only Pennies wine that isn't (at least partially) bottled under tin caps.

Stuart