Mattinson: I often like Bin 407 but even so, I don’t have an affection for it. It was one of the first wines to ‘burn’ me - one of the first wines that I bought in volume on the back of a review, but then didn’t end up liking, even given some time in the cellar. I’ve approached it sceptically ever since. Over the past few years I’ve come to like it increasingly more though, and while I don’t think this 2006 is either a great wine or great value, I do think the quality is very good.
It’s medium-weight, olivey, fleshed with blackcurrant and spicy, cedary French oak. It has chalky, violetty, herbal influences but the thing I really like is that it’s pure cabernet made unashamedly for cabernet lovers – it’s not a shiraz wannabe. It tastes of nothing other than cabernet. There’s a sticky-date sweetness through the aftertaste and gorgeous, velvety texture. Real length too, and real potential. 93 points for me. Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front
Walsh: I’m a big fan of both the ‘96 and ‘04 vintages of this wine and good bottles of the ‘96 are only just starting to sing. I love the balance this strikes between strong blackcurrant/Cassis fruit and subtle dusty bay leaf characters - oak a minor player. It’s rich but distinctly Cabernet - full firm chalky tannins, savoury earthy flavours mingling with sweet ripe fruit - actually reminds me of a Margaret River wine in many respects. Length and depth all bang on. Fabulous wine. Emphatic approval. 94 points. Drink: 2010-2030 Gary Walsh, The Wine Front
Launched in 1993 with the 1990 vintage, Penfolds Bin 407 was developed by Penfolds Chief Winemaker, John Duval, in response to the increasing availability of high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon fruit. Inspired by Penfolds Bin 707, Bin 407 offers varietal definition and attention to detail, at a more affordable price point. A textbook Cabernet, Bin 407 is true to Penfolds' multi-region, multi-vineyard blending policy, showing a core of ripe fruit supported by French and American oak.
