Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 2013

Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 2013 is a multi-regional South Australian red blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon and 49% Shiraz, bottled at 14.5% ABV in a 750ml format. Widely known as "Baby Grange," this expression earns that title through a distinctive production lineage — its components are matured in the same American oak hogsheads that held the previous vintage of Penfolds Grange.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: South Australia (Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Padthaway, Wrattonbully, Coonawarra)  |  Vintage: 2013  |  Producer: Penfolds

Production & Heritage

Penfolds, one of Australia's oldest and most celebrated wine houses, was founded in 1844 by Dr. Christopher Rawson Penfold in the Adelaide Hills. Bin 389 first appeared in 1960, created by the legendary winemaker Max Schubert as a way to bridge Cabernet Sauvignon's structure with Shiraz's generosity — the same philosophy that drove Grange. The 2013 vintage spent 12 months in American oak hogsheads, with 88% of the barrels being new or one year old and the remaining 12% two years old. The critical distinction is that these hogsheads previously cradled Grange, imparting residual depth and complexity that no other barrel regime in the Penfolds range replicates at this tier.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Deep garnet-purple in the glass, the nose opens with concentrated cherry and blackberry, giving way to a cassis undercurrent. Secondary layers reveal pencil lead, cedar, Mediterranean herbs, and a distinctive umami note — hints of Worcestershire sauce and smoked bacon that signal the wine's barrel heritage.

Taste: The entry is richly fruited, with blackcurrant, black plum, and liquorice leading the charge. At mid-palate, dark chocolate oak and mocha emerge alongside cinnamon, vanilla pod, and cola spice. Some redder fruit nuances add contrast, keeping the wine from feeling monolithic despite its density.

Finish: A wall of tannins — fine, firm, and polished rather than aggressive — provides secure structure that carries the wine to a finish of outstanding persistence. Lingering dark fruit, spice, and rough-sawn oak trail off with impeccable line.

How to Drink Bin 389

This wine rewards patient treatment: decant for 30 to 60 minutes before serving at around 16–18°C to let the tannins unfurl and the secondary aromas develop fully. It is built for drinking neat alongside food rather than as a cocktail component. Pair it with charcoal-grilled lamb rack, where the wine's tannin structure and herbal notes complement the char and fat. Slow-braised beef cheeks work beautifully, as the dish's richness mirrors the wine's dark fruit intensity. A hard aged cheddar board after dinner lets the cassis and chocolate notes shine without competition.

Best For

• Gifting an Australian wine collector who appreciates Penfolds heritage
• Anchoring a special-occasion dinner featuring red meat as the centerpiece
• Cellaring for medium-term aging (drinking window through the mid-2020s for the 2013 vintage)
• Introducing someone to the Penfolds range before stepping up to Grange

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Bin 389 2013 taste like? The dominant profile is concentrated blackcurrant, blackberry, and dark plum layered with dark chocolate, mocha, and baking spice from American oak maturation. Tannins are firm yet polished, supporting a long, structured finish.

How does Bin 389 compare to Penfolds Grange? Bin 389 is matured in the same American oak hogsheads that previously held Grange, giving it a familial richness — hence the "Baby Grange" nickname — but at a more accessible price tier and with a slightly higher proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon contributing firmer tannin structure. Grange is predominantly Shiraz, spends longer in new oak, and is produced in smaller quantities with greater intensity and aging potential.

Is Bin 389 good for cellaring? The 2013 vintage's firm tannin backbone and concentrated fruit suggest it can develop well in bottle, though by the early 2020s it has entered a rewarding drinking window where primary fruit and oak-derived complexity are well integrated.

Where is Bin 389 made? Bin 389 is produced by Penfolds in South Australia, drawing fruit from multiple premium regions including Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Padthaway, Wrattonbully, and Coonawarra. This multi-regional blending approach is a hallmark of the Penfolds winemaking philosophy, prioritizing style consistency over single-vineyard expression.

What foods pair well with Bin 389? Charcoal-grilled lamb rack complements the wine's herbal and tannic structure. Slow-braised short ribs or beef cheeks match its dark fruit richness. Aged hard cheeses like vintage cheddar highlight the cassis and chocolate notes. Venison loin with a blackberry reduction echoes the wine's berry core. Dark chocolate desserts with a touch of sea salt can mirror the mocha and spice finish.

What sizes does Bin 389 come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format for this wine.

Is Bin 389 worth the price? Bin 389 positions as a premium expression within the Penfolds portfolio, sitting below flagship wines like Grange and Bin 707 but well above entry-level offerings. Its use of ex-Grange barrels and multi-regional sourcing from top South Australian vineyards provide a level of complexity and prestige that justifies its standing in the upper-mid tier of Australian reds.

Why Bin 389?

The defining fact about Bin 389 is one no marketing tagline can replicate: its wine literally touches the same oak that shaped Grange. That barrel lineage imparts a secondary layer of richness and depth that distinguishes it from virtually every other Cabernet-Shiraz blend in Australia. The 2013 vintage brings together fruit from five of South Australia's finest regions — Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Padthaway, Wrattonbully, and Coonawarra — creating a blend that balances Cabernet's structural precision with Shiraz's generous dark fruit. For anyone seeking a serious, age-worthy Australian red that carries Penfolds DNA at its core, this is the bottle that delivers on that promise.