Penfolds - a big Aussie producer making big wines
This weekend, I decided to pop open another birthday present. This time, a wine from one of Australia's biggest and most well known producers - Penfolds.
I don't normally drink wines from large producers. I tend to prefer to focus on smaller producers who I find put more care and attention into their wines. Penfolds have this to say about themselves:
For more than a century, Penfolds been recognised globally for a pioneering spirit and commitment to quality. Today, our wines continue to delight and inspire all who enjoy great wine and the Penfolds experience. Source
And they have this to say about the Bin 2 Shiraz Mataro:
Bin 2 Shiraz Mataro is a classic Penfolds wine, steeped in nineteenth-century tradition. Typically it is a generous medium-bodied wine based on shiraz, but shot with the aromatics and muscular strength of mataro. It’s best to drink early, but like many of Penfolds reds can last the distance in the cellar. Source
Penfolds know how to make a good quality red wine. I have only ever experienced a couple of their wines that I didn't enjoy, but those were from their budget selection. And I suppose that's how it is with the big producers, they know how to make their wine at the required standard - for the cheap wines, expect nothing special. If you're willing to pay mid-price then you can expect a wine that meets all of the mid-price standards, and if you're willing to pay for their top of the range selection, then you'll certainly get something quite enjoyable.
The problem with big producers however, is that there are no surprises. You simply get what you pay for. And this is perfectly true for this wine.
Penfolds - Bin 2 - Shiraz Mataro
Bin 2 is a blend with Shiraz and a small quantity of mataro. As the wine is predominantly shiraz it is deep in colour, almost blood red. The mataro softens the wine and adds to the aroma of the wine. The wine has a strong aroma of dark fruits, such as blackberry and plum and the aroma transfers well to the palate.
There are clear flavours of plum, blackberry and tannins immediately on the palate, with a medium to long finish. The wine is medium to full bodied, so certainly packs a punch. This is a well structured wine, and as mentioned, brings no surprises. It isn't overly complex but is certainly a pleasant wine. However, if it wasn't free, this isn't a wine that I would normally go out of my way to drink.
The wine would be best paired with red meat and other heavy meals. Avoid drinking this wine with fish, spicy food and vegetation/ vegan dishes.
Summary
Overall, this is a well structured wine that is of good quality. You can rely on Penfolds to produce consistently decent wines based on the price that you are willing to pay. You won't find any surprises with this wine however will have a wine that is good, but not great. It is medium to full bodied and has well rounded aromas and flavours.
My only criticism is that, for the price of $30 - 35, you could more than likely find a wine from a smaller producer at a cheaper price that will be of higher quality.
Wine Info and Rating
| Wine | Grape | Origin | Alc | Vintage | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penfolds Bin 2 | Shiraz Mataro | South Australia | 14.5% | 2014 | 6.5 | $30 - $35 |
