Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 is a multi-region South Australian Cabernet Sauvignon bottled at 14.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Rated 93 points by Wine Spectator and 94 points by James Halliday's Halliday Wine Companion, this vintage demonstrates the strength of Penfolds' multi-vineyard blending approach, drawing fruit from six distinct South Australian wine regions.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: South Australia  |  Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon  |  Producer: Penfolds

Production & Heritage

Penfolds was founded in 1844 by Dr. Christopher Rawson Penfold in Adelaide and has grown into one of Australia's most recognized wine producers. Bin 407 first appeared in 1990 as a varietal Cabernet Sauvignon inspired by the flagship Bin 707. The 2018 vintage sources 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Coonawarra, Padthaway, Wrattonbully, McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley, and Robe, then ages for 12 months in a combination of French and American oak barrels. This multi-region blending philosophy allows the winemaking team to compose a wine with layered complexity that no single vineyard could achieve alone.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with intense, fragrant blackcurrant and dark plum, followed by fresh sage, bay leaf, and a thread of cedary oak. Cigar box and mint notes emerge with time in the glass, adding further dimension.

Taste: The entry is generous and fruit-forward, with a core of blackberry and cassis giving way to redcurrant and pomegranate at mid-palate. Medium to full-bodied with a smooth, silky texture, the wine is supported by vanilla-laced cedar and accents of cured black olive, dark chocolate, and sandalwood.

Finish: Fine-grained, dusty tannins carry the wine through a persistent finish marked by blackcurrant pastille and subtle peppermint. The oak integration is seamless, with mocha and dried sage lingering quietly.

How to Drink Bin 407

Bin 407 drinks well on its own, ideally served at 16–18°C (61–64°F) after 30 minutes of decanting to let the tannins soften and the aromatics open fully. For those drawn to wine-based cocktails, a Cabernet-forward Sangria lets the dark fruit and sage spice shine alongside citrus and brandy; a New York Sour benefits from the wine's berry depth as it floats atop bourbon and lemon; and a classic Claret Cobbler showcases the wine's structure and fruit intensity against sugar and seasonal fruit.

Best For

• Gifting a wine collector familiar with premium Australian Cabernet
• Pairing with a special dinner featuring grilled red meat or aged cheeses
• Cellaring for medium-term aging through the late 2020s
• Introducing someone to Penfolds' Bin range before moving to the flagship 707

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Bin 407 taste like? Bin 407 2018 is medium to full-bodied with prominent blackcurrant, dark plum, and dark chocolate flavors, layered with cedar oak, sage, and fine-grained tannins. It strikes a balance between ripe fruit intensity and structural elegance.

How does Bin 407 compare to Penfolds Bin 707? Bin 407 was originally conceived as an offshoot of the flagship Bin 707, using fruit from multiple South Australian regions and a mix of French and American oak, while Bin 707 relies more heavily on new American oak and draws from more select vineyard parcels. Bin 407 tends to be more approachable in its youth and sits at a lower price tier, making it an accessible entry point to Penfolds' Cabernet Sauvignon program.

Is Bin 407 good for cellaring? Bin 407 2018 received a 5 out of 5 rating from the Penfolds Rewards of Patience tasting panel in 2021, suggesting strong aging potential. The wine's tannin structure and fruit concentration support medium-term cellaring, with most critics suggesting a drinking window extending into the late 2020s.

Where is Bin 407 made? Bin 407 is produced by Penfolds, headquartered in the Barossa Valley, South Australia. The 2018 vintage blends Cabernet Sauvignon fruit from six South Australian regions: Coonawarra, Padthaway, Wrattonbully, McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley, and Robe.

What foods pair well with Bin 407? Grilled lamb chops complement the wine's herbal sage and mint notes. Aged cheddar or Comté echo the cedar and dark chocolate undertones. Slow-braised beef short ribs match the wine's weight and tannin structure. Dark chocolate desserts mirror the mocha and cocoa flavors in the finish. Charcuterie boards featuring cured meats and olives align with the wine's savory olive and sandalwood accents.

What sizes does Bin 407 come in? Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 is available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Bin 407 worth the price? Bin 407 positions as a premium-tier Cabernet Sauvignon within the Penfolds range, sitting above the entry-level Koonunga Hill and below the flagship Bin 707 and Grange. With scores of 93 from Wine Spectator and 94 from James Halliday, it represents strong critical recognition for its price tier.

Why Bin 407?

The 2018 vintage stands out for its multi-region blending of fruit from six distinct South Australian appellations — Coonawarra, Padthaway, Wrattonbully, McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley, and Robe — a technique that gives the wine a layered complexity difficult to replicate from a single vineyard source. Twelve months in both French and American oak barrels add complementary spice and structure without overwhelming the fruit. The wine earned 93 points from Wine Spectator, 94 from Halliday Wine Companion, and a rare 5 out of 5 from the Penfolds Rewards of Patience panel, confirming its quality across multiple independent assessments. As a direct descendant of the iconic Bin 707 program, this expression delivers serious Cabernet character at a more accessible tier within the Penfolds portfolio.