Penfolds Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon

Penfolds Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon is a full-bodied, 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from South Australia, bottled at 14.5% ABV in a 750ml format. Often called the "Grange of Cabernet," it earned a perfect 100 points from Jane Anson for the 2021 vintage and 96 points from James Suckling for the 2022 vintage — a wine produced only in years when fruit quality meets Penfolds' exacting standards.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: South Australia (multi-region blend)  |  Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon  |  Producer: Penfolds

Production & Heritage

Penfolds, founded in 1844 by Dr. Christopher Rawson Penfold in the Adelaide foothills, is one of Australia's most storied wine houses. Bin 707 draws Cabernet Sauvignon fruit from premium vineyards across multiple South Australian regions — Barossa Valley, Coonawarra, McLaren Vale, Padthaway, and Wrattonbully — a multi-vineyard sourcing philosophy that gives the winemaking team access to the best available parcels each year. The wine undergoes partial barrel fermentation before maturing for 16 to 18 months in 100% new American oak hogsheads, a regimen that imparts the signature cedar, vanilla, and structural depth for which Bin 707 is renowned. Crucially, this wine is not made every year: vintages were skipped in 1970–1975, 1981, 1995, 2000, 2003, 2011, 2017, and 2020 when fruit did not meet the required benchmark.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Deep, concentrated scents of crème de cassis and blackcurrant lead into layers of dark plum and warm mulberry. Beneath that fruit core, cedar, vanilla pod, dried mint, and rolled cigar leaf unfold with aeration, joined by subtle graphite and roasted chestnut nuances.

Taste: The palate entry is full-bodied yet surprisingly graceful, with concentrated blackcurrant and dark berry flavors anchoring the mid-palate. Espresso, dark chocolate, and a streak of licorice develop through the middle, supported by firm, muscular tannins that feel fine-grained rather than aggressive. The overall structure is layered and elemental — fruit purity meeting oak influence without one dominating the other.

Finish: Long and enveloping, with softly dusty tannins carrying hints of maple syrup, sweet spice, and lingering cedar. The finish maintains a refreshing brightness that invites another sip despite the wine's considerable weight.

How to Drink Bin 707

Bin 707 rewards patient sipping. Decant for 30 to 60 minutes before serving at 16–18°C to allow the full aromatic spectrum to emerge; younger vintages especially benefit from breathing time. Drinking neat in a large-bowled Bordeaux glass is the primary recommendation, though a splash of air through gentle swirling is more effective than adding water or ice. While Bin 707 is best appreciated on its own or alongside food, it can anchor a bold red wine cocktail such as a Cabernet-based Sangria, adding concentrated dark-fruit depth; a New York Sour, where its tannic backbone stands up to bourbon and citrus; or a Kalimotxo, the Basque classic of red wine and cola, where the wine's structure and intensity hold their own against the sweetness.

Best For

• Gifting a serious wine collector who appreciates age-worthy Australian Cabernet
• Anchoring a special-occasion dinner featuring prime cuts of red meat
• Cellaring for 15–30 years as a long-term investment in a curated collection
• Celebrating a milestone vintage year — birth year, anniversary, or retirement

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Bin 707 taste like? Bin 707 is dominated by concentrated blackcurrant and dark berry fruit, interwoven with cedar, espresso, dark chocolate, and fine-grained tannins. The finish is long and refined, with sweet spice and a lingering brightness that balances the wine's full-bodied intensity.

How does Bin 707 compare to Penfolds Grange? Both are flagship Penfolds wines matured in new American oak hogsheads, but Grange is built on Shiraz (sometimes with a small Cabernet component) and tends toward darker, more savoury and earthy flavors, while Bin 707 is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon with a tighter, more structured profile focused on cassis, cedar, and graphite. The two wines are often considered the red-wine pillars of the Penfolds portfolio, with Bin 707 frequently described as the "Grange of Cabernet."

Is Bin 707 good for cellaring? Bin 707 is one of Australia's most cellar-worthy Cabernets; its firm tannin structure, high-quality new oak maturation, and concentrated fruit allow it to develop over 15 to 30 years in proper storage conditions. Younger vintages can be enjoyed now with extended decanting, but the wine typically rewards patience.

Where is Bin 707 made? Bin 707 is produced by Penfolds in South Australia, with fruit sourced from premium vineyards across the Barossa Valley, Coonawarra, McLaren Vale, Padthaway, and Wrattonbully. This multi-region blending approach allows winemakers to select the finest available Cabernet Sauvignon parcels each vintage.

What foods pair well with Bin 707? Chargrilled ribeye steak complements the wine's tannic grip and dark-fruit intensity. Slow-braised lamb shoulder mirrors its depth and spice. Aged hard cheeses like vintage cheddar or Parmigiano-Reggiano echo its savoury, concentrated character. Dark-chocolate-based desserts pick up on the espresso and cocoa notes. Roasted venison with a juniper berry jus aligns with the wine's graphite and herbal undertones.

What sizes does Bin 707 come in? Bin 707 is most commonly available in the standard 750ml bottle, though Penfolds has historically released some wines in magnums (1.5L) for select vintages.

Is Bin 707 worth the price? Bin 707 positions firmly in the ultra-premium tier of Australian wine, and its only-in-exceptional-vintages production policy, consistent critical acclaim (95 points from Wine Spectator for the 2023 vintage, 96 points from James Suckling for the 2022 vintage), and proven aging potential support its standing. For collectors and enthusiasts seeking a benchmark Australian Cabernet Sauvignon, it represents a serious but justified investment.

Why Bin 707?

The decision to skip entire vintages when fruit falls short sets Bin 707 apart from nearly every other wine at its price point — a commitment to quality over continuity that few producers are willing to make. Maturation in 100% new American oak hogsheads and multi-region blending give the winemaking team a palette of flavors and structures impossible to achieve from a single vineyard source. The result is a wine that has earned recognition at the highest levels, including a perfect score from Jane Anson and consistent 95-plus ratings from major critics across recent vintages. For those seeking Australia's definitive Cabernet Sauvignon — a wine that stands shoulder to shoulder with Grange rather than in its shadow — Bin 707 is the benchmark.