Take a seat so you don’t fall over. Ready? Penfolds, is releasing its inaugural creation: The Penfolds “California Collection”! Comprised of four red wines containing grapes harvested from California-grown vine-cuttings imported from two legendary Penfolds grand cru vineyards. The juice is then blended with amazing California Cabs (some bottles even with Australia-grown grapes) by Andrew Baldwin and Steph Dutton under the supervision of 100-point legend Peter Gago.
In 1998, the Penfolds team brought vine cuttings from their prized Kalimna and Magill vineyards and planted them in Paso Robles at their Camatta Hills Estate. The first wines were made in the early 2000s but never released. In 2018, pristine grape bunches were harvested off the fully mature 20-year-old vines, some blended with select additional small-lot California grapes and Australian-harvested grapes, crushed, fermented, and barreled.
More than 20 years in the making, Australia’s “first growth” is bridging the Pacific divide between Australia and California with a set of new releases, including the first true American “Baby Grange”.
Below is Penfolds own description of their new offerings and links to get them before they run out. This is BIG, so don’t wait. Happy Hunting!
JAMES SUCKLING 98 POINTS
Quantum Bin 98 is the continuation of a 22-year endeavor… It was in 1998 that the Penfolds team planted cuttings from the famed Kalimna and Magill Estate vineyards in California. A Wine of the World that encapsulates a bold blending alliance, Quantum reveals a wine that shows wisdom, crafted with conviction but also embedded in the “quality-first” philosophy that underpins the Penfolds flagships.
JAMES SUCKLING 97 POINTS
Bin 149 Cabernet Sauvignon seeks out northern hemisphere excellence via meticulous vineyard and block selection, reinforced by flagship-worthy South Australian cabernet sauvignon. Cabernet Sauvignon is a globetrotting grape unlike any other…Showing it’s adaptability and classic characters wherever it is grown is the inspiration for the inaugural Bin 149; a name derived from the percentage of South Australian Cabernet Sauvignon synergistically woven into the blend.
WINE ENTHUSIAST 96 POINTS
Bin 704 seeks to redefine Napa Valley cabernet through a Penfolds lens, being mindful of varietal nuances, regional essence and silk-like textural definition. Deep understanding of terroir and mastery of technique come together in this unparalleled style of Cabernet Sauvignon. A mirror image of Bin 407, which showcases Napa Valley fruit through the lens of Penfolds winemaking traditions.
WINE ENTHUSIAST 93 POINTS
Bin 600 is named for the Creston “600” Ranch (Camatta Hills) planted over 20 years ago in the Creston District of Paso Robles; this California Collection wine embodies a Penfolds core philosophy of multi-regional, multi- varietal blending – a style created and perfected by Penfolds in the 1960’s.
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