Penfolds Bin 138 Barossa Valley Grenache Shiraz Mataro 2012

Penfolds Bin 138 Barossa Valley Grenache Shiraz Mataro 2012 is a 750ml old-vine Australian GSM blend from one of the Barossa Valley's most iconic producers. Despite the label listing Grenache first, the 2012 vintage is led by Shiraz at 66%, with 23% Grenache and 11% Mataro (Mourvèdre), yielding a wine that balances rich berry fruit with savory Rhône-like complexity. The vintage earned a 91+ point score from critics, reflecting its stylish structure and immediate appeal.

Quick Facts: ABV: Approximately 14.5%  |  Origin: Barossa Valley, South Australia  |  Vintage: 2012  |  Producer: Penfolds (est. 1844, Treasury Wine Estates)

Production & Heritage

Penfolds was founded in 1844 by Dr. Christopher Rawson Penfold at Magill Estate in Adelaide, and today operates under Treasury Wine Estates as Australia's most decorated winery. Bin 138, first released in 1992, draws fruit from old, low-yielding Barossa Valley vines—some among the oldest in the world for these varieties. Each varietal is vinified separately before resting in seasoned (older) American oak barrels deliberately chosen for their minimal oak influence, preserving the purity of fruit and terroir. The components remain separate throughout maturation and are blended only just prior to bottling, a meticulous process that allows winemakers to fine-tune the final cuvée with precision.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with red currant and black raspberry fragrances, moving into hints of Chinese five spice, dried roses, and cracked black pepper. There is a persistent floral undertone that lends elegance beneath the darker fruit.

Taste: The palate enters with sweet, juicy red berry fruit and quickly builds toward darker summer berry flavors at mid-palate. A gentle spiciness threads through the wine, while medium-bodied weight and structured, rounded tannins carry the Shiraz-dominant blend with authority. Grenache contributes a tangy lift and Mataro adds earthy savory depth, creating layered complexity.

Finish: Long and well-defined, with lively acidity holding the fruit through to a clean, spiced conclusion. Supple, swirling tannins linger alongside residual berry sweetness and a faint peppery echo.

How to Drink Bin 138

Serve at 16–18°C (60–65°F), ideally with 30 minutes of decanting to let the aromatics open fully. This is primarily a food wine and a sipping wine, best enjoyed neat in a large-bowled glass. For lighter pours, a Sangria Roja benefits from the wine's berry-forward generosity and spice backbone. A Kalimotxo (red wine and cola) in warm weather takes well to the fruit sweetness of the Grenache component. A classic Mulled Wine preparation highlights the existing five-spice and pepper notes already present in the 2012.

Best For

• A weekend dinner pairing with slow-cooked lamb or grilled Mediterranean dishes
• Gifting an Australian wine enthusiast who appreciates old-vine Barossa expressions
• Adding a well-aged GSM to a cellar or collection with vertical ambitions
• Hosting a comparative tasting alongside Southern Rhône blends

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Bin 138 2012 taste like? The 2012 Bin 138 delivers juicy red and dark berry fruit with gentle spice, rose petal undertones, and black pepper, supported by supple rounded tannins and bright acidity through a long finish.

How does Bin 138 compare to Châteauneuf-du-Pape? Both wines use the same core grape varieties—Grenache, Syrah (Shiraz), and Mourvèdre (Mataro)—but Bin 138 tends to be more fruit-forward and generous, reflecting the warmer Barossa climate, while Châteauneuf-du-Pape often leans more toward garrigue, earth, and herbal complexity. The 2012 Bin 138 sits comfortably alongside mid-range Châteauneuf bottlings in terms of structure and depth.

Is Bin 138 good for sipping neat? Yes, the 2012 vintage is described as stylish and elegant with plenty of immediate appeal, making it an excellent choice for drinking neat with a short decant to open the aromatics.

Where is Bin 138 made? Bin 138 is produced by Penfolds from old-vine fruit sourced across the Barossa Valley in South Australia, one of Australia's premier warm-climate wine regions known for full-bodied reds.

What foods pair well with Bin 138? Slow-braised lamb shoulder complements the wine's spice and berry richness. Grilled merguez sausages echo its pepper and five-spice notes. Ratatouille or roasted Mediterranean vegetables match the Grenache-driven fruit. Aged hard cheeses like Manchego or aged Cheddar balance the tannin structure. Moroccan tagine with dried fruits and warm spices mirrors the wine's aromatic profile.

What sizes does Bin 138 come in? The Penfolds Bin 138 2012 is available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Bin 138 worth the price? Bin 138 positions as a mid-range expression within Penfolds' portfolio, sitting well above entry-level Koonunga Hill but below the flagship Grange and numbered Bins like 389 and 407. For old-vine Barossa fruit aged in seasoned oak, it represents solid value within the premium Australian GSM category.

Why Bin 138?

The defining distinction of Bin 138 lies in its production philosophy: each variety is vinified and matured independently in older American oak, then blended only at the final stage before bottling. This preserves varietal purity while allowing the winemaking team granular control over the finished blend. The reliance on seasoned rather than new oak is a deliberate choice to let Barossa old-vine fruit speak without heavy wood influence—a rarity in a region often associated with oak-heavy reds. The 2012 vintage captures a particularly elegant expression of this approach, with balanced tannins, bright acidity, and a layered spice profile that rewards both immediate drinking and short-term cellaring.