Penfolds
Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz
South Australia
2019
Vintage
Varietal
Cabernet-Shiraz
ABV
14.5
Where it is, June 2026
Approaching Peak: drinkable, but best years are ahead.
In May 2026, the 2019 Penfolds Bin 389 is comfortably within its main drinking window, which opened in 2024 and runs through 2034. Seven years from harvest the wine has integrated beautifully, the oak has settled into the fruit, and the multi-district blend has found its equilibrium. The mentholated freshness of the nose is still vivid, and the dark fruit on the palate is vibrant and expressive. This is excellent drinking right now, with the wine showing the harmony and confidence that comes from Penfolds' decades of experience with this style. A 30 to 60 minute decant will add polish and breadth to the experience.
The ‘19 Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz.
A multi-region South Australian icon blending cassis-bright Cabernet and liquorice-rich Shiraz in one of the finest recent Bin 389 vintages.
Drinking window
Tasting note
Penfolds Bin 389 has been called the poor man's Grange, but that framing undersells one of Australia's most consistently reliable and genuinely outstanding wines. The 2019 vintage blends 53 percent Cabernet Sauvignon with 47 percent Shiraz from five of South Australia's finest regions: Padthaway, McLaren Vale, Coonawarra, Wrattonbully, and the Barossa Valley, a multi-district approach that has defined Bin 389's house style since the 1960s. The wine was aged for twelve months in American oak hogsheads, with 25 percent new wood, a regime that adds structure and spice without overwhelming the fruit. The nose opens with cool, mentholated eucalyptus alongside ripe cassis and blackberry, a distinctly Australian pairing of fruit and freshness. Hints of vanilla and cedar from the oak weave through the fruit without dominating. On the palate the wine is medium to full-bodied with a savoury, mouth-filling quality: liquorice, stewed plum, and dark chocolate arrive in sequence, followed by the clean, firm backbone expected from the Cabernet component. The tannins are well-structured and the finish is long and satisfying, with a persistent dark-fruit echo and lingering spice. Multiple critics awarded the 2019 vintage 94 points, reflecting the wine's genuine quality and the exceptional nature of the growing season.
The 2019 vintage
The 2019 vintage in South Australia produced outstanding results across the key Penfolds source regions. Cool growing conditions in certain districts provided freshness and aromatic precision, while warmer areas like the Barossa Valley delivered the fruit concentration and richness that the Bin 389 style requires. The multi-district blending philosophy that defines Bin 389 meant Penfolds could select the finest parcels from each region to achieve the balanced, layered character for which the wine is celebrated. The 2019 is widely regarded as one of the strongest recent vintages for South Australian Cabernet and Shiraz.
About Penfolds
Penfolds is one of Australia's most storied wineries, founded in 1844 and best known internationally for Grange, the country's most celebrated red wine. The Bin series represents Penfolds' commitment to consistency and quality across multiple price points and blending philosophies. Bin 389 has been produced since 1960 and remains a touchstone of Australian winemaking, demonstrating how multi-region blending, skilled winemaking, and thoughtful oak management can produce wines of remarkable reliability and genuine character year after year.
From the cellar: pair with
Barbecued lamb chops with chimichurri
The wine's bold Cabernet Sauvignon backbone and eucalyptus freshness make it a natural companion for grilled lamb, while the herb sauce echoes the wine's mentholated quality.
Braised beef short rib with dark spices
The stewed plum and dark chocolate notes in the wine align perfectly with the slow-braised richness of beef short rib seasoned with warm spice.
Aged hard cheddar or mature Gouda
The firm tannins and savoury finish of the wine stand up well to the crystalline richness of aged hard cheeses.
Service & cellaring
- Serving Temp
- 17 to 18 degrees C (63 to 64 degrees F)
- Decanting
- Decant 30 to 60 minutes before serving to add polish and allow the mentholated freshness to fully express.
- Cellar Storage
- 12 to 14 degrees C (54 to 57 degrees F)
The drinking window on this bottle is calculated with the Cellared Ageability Index (CAI) v1.0, a 10-factor model. Try the free drinking window calculator on any wine, or read when to drink wine for the practical signals.
Frequently Asked
What does Bin 389 mean?
The Bin number is a Penfolds internal code designating a specific wine blended from multiple parcels. Bin 389 has been produced continuously since 1960 and is one of the most iconic numbers in the Penfolds portfolio.
Is the 2019 Bin 389 ready to drink?
Yes. The drinking window opened in 2024 and the wine is in excellent shape through 2034. Enjoy it now with a brief decant.
What regions does the 2019 Bin 389 come from?
The blend draws from Padthaway, McLaren Vale, Coonawarra, Wrattonbully, and Barossa Valley, five of South Australia's most important wine regions.
How does Bin 389 compare to Penfolds Grange?
Bin 389 shares some of the same barrel stock as Grange and uses a similar multi-region blending philosophy, offering a more accessible price point while maintaining the Penfolds house style of richness, structure, and consistency.