Penfolds "Bin 389" 1979 - Cabernet - Shiraz - South Australia

Penfolds Bin 389 1979 vintage: A Mythical Relic, Unique in the World

The Estate: Penfolds, the Absolute Legend of the New World

Founded in 1844 by Dr. Christopher Rawson Penfolds, Penfolds is the central pillar of Australian wine history. It propelled New World wines to the top of the global hierarchy. Thanks to the genius of its first chief winemaker, Max Schubert, the estate created a unique style based on multi-vineyard and multi-region blending (notably Barossa Valley and Coonawarra). The estate's wines, characterized by monumental power and an almost immortal aging potential, are now fiercely contested at premium prices in the world's largest auctions.

The Cuvée: Bin 389, the Mythical "Baby Grange"

Bin 389 is undoubtedly one of Australia's most famous red wines. Composed of an elite blend combining Cabernet Sauvignon (for structure and straightness) and Shiraz (for opulence and fruit), it has earned the affectionate nickname "Baby Grange". Indeed, this wine has the historical particularity of being aged in second-fill American oak barrels that previously held the legendary Penfolds Grange in the previous vintage. The result is a wine of aristocratic complexity, sumptuous texture, and sovereign longevity.

The Historic 1979 Bottle: A Collector's Item with a "Flat Bottom"

This 1979 bottle is a true testament to Penfolds' industrial and viticultural heritage. Connoisseurs will appreciate the vintage bottle format with its "flat bottom" (without a deep punt), characteristic of the original glassworks' molds of that era—a highly vintage and sought-after detail. Currently, this bottle stands as the only one of this vintage available for sale worldwide. To open or own this bottle is to touch absolute exclusivity.

Bottle condition:

Level: Excellent | Color: Perfect | Label: Slightly torn (normal wear and tear due to age) but perfectly legible and identifiable | Overall condition: Excellent state of preservation.

Traceability, Provenance, and Authenticity Guarantee

The purchase of such rare bottles demands complete transparency. A rigorous analysis of this bottle's dressing scientifically confirms its historical authenticity. The vintage label bears the original mention of the official French importer (Maison EDEC-LEFORT, Paris), linked to a blue "Marianne" fiscal stamp (foreign wines) marked with department 21, attesting to its legal customs clearance upon its arrival in Europe. Originating from a prestigious private Champagne cellar where it rested reverently for many years, this unique bottle benefited from clinical and optimal aging conditions, as evidenced by its exceptionally perfect liquid level for a 1979 vintage.

Tasting Profile and Pairings

• Color: A deep, dense brick red, adorned with magnificent tile reflections and an amber brilliance that highlights a noble evolution of over 45 years.
• Nose: An enchanting, complex, and profoundly tertiary bouquet. Intense aromas of cigar box, cedar, precious leather, black tea leaves, old licorice, mocha, and subtle notes of roasted meat and sweet spices typical of aged American oak mingle.
• Palate: The attack is remarkably velvety. The palate impresses with its lingering concentration: the Cabernet tannins are completely melted, integrated into a silky texture carried by the roundness of the Shiraz. A remarkable freshness keeps the wine upright, extending to an interminable finish of undergrowth and oriental spices.
• Pairings: An absolute wine for contemplation. It will grandly accompany a beef Wellington, a slow-cooked confit lamb shoulder, a roasted partridge, or a wild duck with sweet spices.