2021 Penfolds, Bin 150 Marananga Shiraz, Barossa Valley, Australia

Marananga is very close to the centre of the Barossa Valley, with red clay and sandy loam soils. Winter rainfall was 20% below the long-term average, but a wetter-than-average August contributed to healthy soil moisture for the start of the growing season. Spring temperatures were slightly warmer than average, and the area experienced mild conditions over harvest. Aged for 18 months in French oak 29% new) and American oak 29% new) hogsheads and large puncheons. TA 6.9 g/l, pH 3.65.

Much more geographical specificity than usual for Penfolds! But oddly enough, it almost smells like Cabernet in this vintage; there’s a certain pyrazine character. But good balance, fully ripe fruit and only a little pinched and drying on the end. Wait a while.

Drink 2025 - 2040

The 2021 Shiraz Bin 150, from the Western Barossa, will have many fans thanks to its powerful style. It radiates with mocha, earth, old spices, dark chocolate and cocoa aromas with an overcoat of sweet oak. The palate then kicks on with explosive flavours of juicy dark cherry and blackberry supported by deep-set ferrous tannins, flavours just backing off a touch toward the finish. This is a good but not outstanding Bin 150.

Drink 2026 - 2035

Marananga is a small hamlet in the heart of the Barossa Valley, which regularly delivers one of Penfolds’ most traditional, old-school styles of Shiraz. It is muscular, steely and imposing – chief winemaker Peter Gago recommends decanting it even at this stage of its life to coax out its personality. Once opened, it reluctantly showcases ripe brambles and hedgerow, plum jam, roasted beetroot, currants, tar and sweet baking spices, which follow on the rich, chunky palate. Chewy, chalky tannins make a big statement, but a Campari-like brightness lifts the finish—a lovable brute.

Drink 2025 - 2055

A brooding, full-bodied wine with gushing fruit effortlessly compressed and refined by seams of cedar oak tannins. Damson, Christmas cake dried fruits, earthenware and boozy spice, all thrown into the mix. Yet that rail of tannic refinement bridges the attack to the long, sumptuous, almost dusty finish.

Drink or hold

The 2021 Bin 150 Marananga Shiraz fruit is from Marananga in the Barossa Valley east of Seppeltsfield, south of Greenock). The oak—a combination of French and American each component featuring 29% new)—is sitting atop the fruit here. The essence of Marananga is disguised by this element aromatically. In the mouth, the fruit starts to show: mulberry, raspberry, ferrous, iodine, roast meat, beetroot, peppercorns and liquorice. I would suggest this wine needs time in the cellar; the oak is effusive here. The fruit is better. Have patience. 14.5% alcohol, sealed under natural cork.

Drink 2023 - 2051