1998 was a great vintage in South Australia, and this 1998 Penfolds Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon proves it. This wine is full bodied and powerful with a warmer climate flavour profile. There are certainly no green or herbal characters here! The blackcurrant is concentrated, actually quite thick, but not without elegance. The finish includes firm tannins, but does not quite match the impact on the front and mid palate.
This style of Cabernet is not for everybody, but there is no doubt this wine has a lasting structure. It will live for many years to come. I find the wine a bit brutish (helped by American oak), and miss the finer elements which leading Margaret River Cabernets provide.
Score: 95/+
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2 comments:
Good to see a review of this as I've got one bottle in the cellar. Do you have a sense of how many years it is off its peak?
Hi Red,
If the wine is well cellared, I would keep it another three to four years for the fruit to mellow somewhat. Otherwise, drink now.
Cheers,
Alontin
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