The lowdown on the Penfolds 2024 Collection

 

What a remarkable array of premium wines.

The Penfolds Collection 2024 is launched today and while the release of a new Penfolds Grange usually grabs the headlines, the new collection is just as noteworthy for its strength in depth.

From collectibles to affordables, the new releases are remarkably excellent across the board, and wine lovers do not have to spend a fortune to find a wine full of interest.

The new releases mark the 180th birthday of Australia's most famous wine brand - and I was among those fortunate enough to attend a pre-release tasting at the Kalimna Homestead in the Barossa a couple of weeks ago.

Like those who tasted in London, Paris, New York and other cities around the globe, my thoughts were subject to an embargo until now.

Here is the full list of the new releases we tasted along with chief winemaker Peter Gago (below), followed by my ideas on what to buy.



The Penfolds Collection 2024 (RRP $AU) 
Australia
2020 Grange $1,000.00
2022 Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon $800.00
2022 Yattarna Chardonnay $220.00
2022 RWT Bin 798 Barossa Valley Shiraz $200.00
2022 Bin 169 Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon $300.00
2022 Magill Estate Shiraz $165.00
2021 St Henri Shiraz $135.00
2023 Reserve Bin A Adelaide Hills Chardonnay $125.00
2022 Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz $120.00
2022 Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon $130.00
2022 Bin 150 Marananga Shiraz $100.00
2022 Bin 28 Shiraz $50.00
2022 Bin 128 Coonawarra Shiraz $75.00
2022 Bin 138 Barossa Valley Grenache Shiraz Mataro $60.00
2023 Bin 21 Grenache $60.00
2023 Bin 23 Pinot Noir $55.00
2023 Bin 311 Chardonnay $55.00
2024 Bin 51 Eden Valley Riesling $45.00
US 

2021 Bin 149 Cabernet Sauvignon $275.00
2021 Bin 704 Cabernet Sauvignon $125.00
2021 Bin 600 Cabernet Shiraz $90.00
2021 Howell Mountain Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc $450.00
France
2022 Penfolds II Cabernet Sauvignon $500.00
2021 FWT 585 Cabernet Sauvignon Petit Verdot Merlot $120.00
China

2022 CWT 521 Cabernet Sauvignon Marselan $150.00
Penfolds Commemorative Bin 180 Coonawarra Cabernet Shiraz 2021 Release:
2021 Bin 180 Coonawarra Cabernet Shiraz $1,180



The Penfolds Collection spans four country of origin releases, with 25 wines made from exceptional vineyards across Australia, US, France, and China. The range represents great work from winemakers including Steph Dutton, Andrew Baldwin, Kym Schroeter, Shavaughn Wells and Matt Woo.  

Alongside the 2024 Penfolds Collection, the commemorative Bin 180 Coonawarra Cabernet Shiraz 2021 is being released to honour Penfolds 180th anniversary milestone. 

“Our goal was to craft a landmark wine to acknowledge Penfolds 180th anniversary," says Gago. 

To celebrate the Bin 180 release, Penfolds has partnered with South Australian artisan Andrew Bartlett to design a limited-edition art piece to enclose the rare 3-litre jeroboam Bin 180 wines. If you have a lazy $18,000 lying around.

Here are my 10 personal favourites from the tasting. You may not share my palate, but these were the wines that shine for me, from $1000 a bottle to $45. 

Penfolds 2020 Grange: Grange has a global reputation for excellence for good reason. This is a blend of the parcels of shiraz from around South Australia. Powerful. Precise. Pleasurable. A benchmark, as always, albeit from a difficult vintage. Classy, compelling but will be better given some time in the cellar. 

Penfolds Magill Estate 2022 Shiraz: A really lovely, elegant vintage. Great length and texture but with immediate approachability. A delightful, impactful take on the house style.  

Penfolds Bin 138 2022 Shiraz Grenache Mataro: This might be the biggest bargain in the release. A classic Barossa blend that delivers flavour and texture in spades. Very tempting. Very approachable. Very rewarding.

Penfolds 2022 Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon: A wine celebrating 60 years since its first release (1964). Full-bodied and with proven cellaring potential. It's big and powerful with flavours ranging from tapenade to choc mint, but it all comes together.  

Penfolds 2024 Bin 51 Riesling: Vibrant, fresh and flavoursome: classic Eden Valley citrus, minerality and acidity. Ready to enjoy with pan-fried whiting and terrific value. 

Penfolds 2022 Bin 169 Coonawarra Cabernet: Classic Coonawarra cabernet with swagger and style. Enjoy now, or cellar.    

  

Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz: Stylish and sophisticated with a potent line of precision. Delivers exactly what you'd hope for. Serious value here.  

Penfolds Bin 407 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon: I could drink a lot of this blend from five regions. Sweet fruit and very solid core. Depth and deliciousness. A great dinner party choice. 

Penfolds Bin 128 Coonawarra Shiraz: Immediately enjoyable, this is very stylish with its punchy but astutely-judged palate. 

 

Penfolds Bin 21 2023 Grenache: Another one of the serious bargains on  offer. Only the second release of this lip-smacking food friendly wine. A blend of Barossa and McLaren Vale fruit that is very varietal and wallet friendly.  

A shout out, too, to the CWT (Chinese Winemaking Trial) Bin 521 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Marselan, an experimental blend that has worked impressively. Think dark, sweet fruit flavours and exotic spices notes. 

* The wines of The Penfolds Collection 2024 will be available globally from August 1. See www.penfolds.com.