Penfolds Max's Cabernet

Penfolds Max's Cabernet Sauvignon is a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from South Australia at 14.5% ABV, available in a standard 750ml bottle. Scored 93 points by Wine Enthusiast and awarded Gold at the International Wine Challenge, this multi-region blend honors former Chief Winemaker Max Schubert, whose pioneering philosophy defined the modern Penfolds house style.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: South Australia  |  Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon  |  Producer: Penfolds (est. 1844)

Production & Heritage

Penfolds was founded in 1844, making it one of Australia's oldest and most storied wine producers. Max's Cabernet Sauvignon pays tribute to Max Schubert, who served as Chief Winemaker from 1948 to 1975 and established the multi-region blending approach that remains central to the Penfolds identity. Fruit is sourced from premium South Australian sub-regions including Padthaway, Wrattonbully, Coonawarra, McLaren Vale, and the Barossa Valley, then matured in a combination of French and American oak barrels. This multi-regional sourcing philosophy — selecting the best parcels from diverse terroirs to serve the final wine style — is the defining characteristic that separates Max's from single-vineyard bottlings.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Blackberry jam and cherry cordial lead, followed by pencil shavings, dried native mint, and cocoa powder. A layer of sweet toasted vanilla bean and dark chocolate emerges from the oak influence, with underlying cedar and cherry wood adding further complexity.

Taste: The entry is plush and polished, with concentrated dark fruit — blood plum and blackberry — coating the mid-palate. Cranberry and yellow plum provide a red-fruit counterpoint, while bay leaf and sage introduce a savory dimension. Balanced acidity keeps the richness in check, and a powerful line of raspy, dusty tannins provides structure without overwhelming the fruit.

Finish: Medium-long with root vegetable earthiness and lingering herbal notes. Fine-grained tannins persist alongside echoes of cedar and dried mint, giving the wine a composed, structured close.

How to Drink Max's Cabernet

This is a wine built for the table. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F); if stored at room temperature, a brief 15-minute chill sharpens the fruit and tannin definition. Decanting for 30 minutes softens the firmer tannins and opens the secondary aromas of cocoa and cedar. A generous Bordeaux-style glass allows the complex bouquet to develop fully over the course of a meal.

Best For

• Hosting a dinner party centered around red meat or slow-cooked dishes
• Gifting a wine enthusiast who appreciates Australian Cabernet
• Building a cellar with approachable but age-worthy South Australian reds
• Introducing someone to the Penfolds range before stepping up to Bin 407 or Bin 707

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Max's Cabernet taste like? Max's Cabernet is plush and richly fruited, with dominant blackberry and blood plum flavors layered over cedar, cocoa, and savory bay leaf notes. Dusty, fine-grained tannins and balanced acidity give it structure without heaviness.

How does Max's Cabernet compare to Penfolds Bin 407? Both are South Australian Cabernet Sauvignons from multi-region blends, but Bin 407 sits a tier above in the Penfolds hierarchy with more concentrated fruit and extended oak maturation. Max's Cabernet is positioned as a more approachable, everyday expression of the same house style at a lower price point.

Is Max's Cabernet good for cellaring? The wine's firm tannin structure and balanced acidity suggest moderate aging potential, typically three to seven years from vintage, though it drinks well on release. Decanting younger vintages for 30 minutes helps soften the tannins and reveal secondary aromas.

Where is Max's Cabernet made? Max's Cabernet is produced by Penfolds in South Australia, drawing fruit from several premium sub-regions including Coonawarra, Padthaway, Wrattonbully, McLaren Vale, and the Barossa Valley. This multi-region sourcing follows the blending philosophy established by Max Schubert during his tenure as Chief Winemaker.

What foods pair well with Max's Cabernet? Grilled lamb chops complement the wine's herbal bay leaf and sage notes. Slow-braised beef short ribs match its concentrated dark fruit and tannin weight. Aged cheddar or Comté echoes the toasted oak and cocoa undertones. Mushroom risotto highlights the earthy, root vegetable character on the finish. Dark chocolate desserts mirror the wine's cocoa and vanilla oak influence.

What sizes does Max's Cabernet come in? Penfolds Max's Cabernet Sauvignon is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Max's Cabernet worth the price? Max's Cabernet positions as a mid-range expression within the Penfolds portfolio, sitting below the numbered Bin series. For a 93-point, Gold Medal-winning South Australian Cabernet from one of the country's most respected producers, it represents strong value within its tier.

Why Max's Cabernet?

A 93-point score from Wine Enthusiast and Gold at the International Wine Challenge confirm that this is not simply a brand-name entry-level wine — it delivers genuine quality. The multi-region blending approach, drawing on five distinct South Australian sub-regions, creates a complexity rarely found at this price tier, combining Coonawarra's structure with McLaren Vale's richness and the Barossa's depth. As a tribute to Max Schubert, the wine embodies the founding philosophy that made Penfolds an Australian institution: source the best fruit from the best regions, then blend without compromise. For drinkers exploring Australian Cabernet Sauvignon, Max's provides an authentic entry point into one of the world's great winemaking houses.