PENFOLDS | Bin 2 | Shiraz Mataro | 2017
syrah | monastrell

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Bin 2 was first released in 1960, yet was temporarily discontinued in Australia in the 1970’s at the height of the white wine boom. The original Bin 2 was an ‘Australian Burgundy’ style, despite its Rhône-based grape varieties. The modern Bin 2 blend of shiraz and mataro is a different beast – a full-bodied, new world styled red blend that is all about power and structure. 

Today we are going to review a wine that hardly requires any introduction, as this is one of the most famous wine labels from Down Under – Bin 2 | Shiraz Mataro 2017 by Penfolds. This wine is a reflection of Penfolds’ blueprint winemaking style, sourced from premium vineyards across South Australia: McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley, Padthaway and Wrattonbully. This wine is a blend of two red grape varieties that contains high amounts of health-invigorating antioxidants: shiraz (also known as syrah), which forms the wine’s main body and adds more structure and color depth, and mataro (also known as monastrell or mourvèdre), which brings even more muscles in the form of extra tannin extract and adds dark fruit flavours to the wine’s flavour profile. In order to soften those extra tannins and add even more complexity to the final blend, the wine has been aged for 8 months in french and american oak hogsheads (from which 10% new oak). But enough with all that theory, that said and without further ado, let’s take a look at the wine tasting results.
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Take a look at the tasting notes below and our detailed assessment of the wine:

//Visual
colour: deep | opaque ruby color
clarity: hazy | noble garnet shades

//Olfactory
intensity: pronounced & oaky
fruit character: overripe & dehydrated

On the first nose, the wine delivers overripe and dehydrated black fruits, including blackberry, black cherry, dried black cherry, black plum and dried aronia berry, with some overripe blackcurrant notes in the background, providing thus more aromatic depth. The second layer comes with underlying notes of roasted oakwood, charred wood and charcoal, that add a smoky character to the wine, with some nuanced earthy hints of granite and pencil lead. Last but not least, the wine also displays notes of peppercorn, coffee, liquorice, cloves, nutmeg and tobacco – these notes add a layer of depth and complexity to the wine’s aromatic profile.

//Palate
sweetness: dry | acidity: high | alcohol: high | tannin: medium | balance: good
finish: long | aftertaste: crisp

On the palate, the wine offers exuberant acidity that immediately grabs the attention, with seedy, but ripe tannins that adds a slight grip to the wine’s over-wise plump and ample mouthfeel and a touch of alcoholic warmth that forms a crisp and plush aftertaste. This wine has a plump, medium+ body that offers overripe and dried black fruits flavors, which are complemented by some subtle oak and earthy notes, adding a bit more complexity to the wine’s taste profile. The finish is long, allowing the wine to develop on the palate and linger after each sip. The aftertaste is crisp, with the high acidity providing a refreshing and clean sensation that prepares the palate for the next sip.

//Verdict
maturity: developing | drink now or in the next 2 or 3 years
verdict: great | a must try wine

This wine is a real crowd-pleaser, showcasing a blueprint expression of South Australian winemaking, with a nuanced, fruit-forward profile and a plump mouthfeel that delivers overripe and dried black fruits flavours, well-integrated oak and subtle earthy notes in the background. The wine feels well structured, with a nice balance between its elements that allows it to develop on the palate and deliver a long and satisfying finish.

//Scoring
PENFOLDS | Bin 2 | Shiraz Mataro | 2017
variety: syrah | monastrell
country: Australia
region: South Australia
rating: 93.7
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This is definitely a great wine of Australia and, with a total of 93.7 points scored, this wine is right there, among the best wines we’ve rated so far. Check our complete database on the wine rating page, where you can find all the wines that we have tasted and reviewed or go to the about us page and find out more about our exquisite rating system.

Pairing: Judging by the wine’s flavour profile and it’s rich palate, we believe it will pair lovely with grilled lamb chops with rosemary, as the high acidity and medium tannins of the wine would complement the bold flavor of the lamb, while the ripe and dried fruit notes and that subtle oaky-earthy undertones will match well with the rosemary seasoning of the dish. Cheers!

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© The WineStatistics ratings are based solely on our own knowledge of the world of wine and on our personal wine tastes, which may, or may not, differ from yours – the reader. Just remember that there are no absolutes of right and wrong in wine appreciation.