Penfolds - Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon - 1996

Tasted this release of Penfolds Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon a few times. Near-enough to release, in 2005 and then at the Rewards of Patience tastings in 2007. At all times it’s looked like a serious long termer. What a massive monster of a wine. What a long way it has to go. Tasted this again in July 2005, and it’s still at least five years from any kind of maturity: gravel, chocolate, flytox, blueberries, and a growling thump of caramel. This is a wicked wine. It’s got dimension and weight and an expansive view of the future. It’s not looking to the next election, it’s looking beyond. Intimidating. Long life ahead. Later note (2007): Spearmint, milk chocolate, pounds of fresh fruit lift. Oak has been soaked up. Lots of fresh acidity. Lovely balance. Powerful, but now more about simple fruit purity and everlasting structural integrity. Difficult to fault. Drink 2009-2026+ 96 Points Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front