95 Points Decanter
This Californian version of the Great Australian Blend, combining Cabernet Sauvignon with Shiraz (grown from Penfolds’ South Australian vine cuttings) strikes immediate notes of familiarity. There's its spicy nose and easy harmony on the palate, seamlessly melding savoury comfort over a melange of rich red, blue and black fruit. Each component does its necessary work – the Cabernet bringing chew and texture and Shiraz giving a comforting cuddle until the blackberry grunt returns to deliver a stern final bass note.
93 Points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2019 Bin 600 is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. The Cabernet Sauvignon is from a selection of vineyards across Napa, "and there is a little it of Sonoma in there as well," says Peter Gago. The Shiraz is from the Paso Robles vineyard; it's a 78/22 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. The fruit heres is so sweet and plush—there is a distinct red berry character that settles and plumes on the mid-palate. Texturally, it is supple, silky and almost plump. 2019 was generally mild and good, and it has produced a suite of wines that are luscious and opulent. The tannins are the framework that drags the fruit back from the edge and brings balance and form to the wine. Smart.
92 Points Wine Enthusiast
Sourcing 83% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Napa Valley and 17% Shiraz from Paso Robles, this imaginative blend is structured and meaty, showing notes of cigar box, toasted oak and wild game. Red fruit-dominant, it unfurls layers of cassis and red cherry with ease, finishing in creamy mocha.
Winemaker Notes
This wine presents a garnet core with a cherry-red rim. The nose is ample and indulgent, revealing a refined and savory aromatic profile reminiscent of European character. Notes of spicy marinated olives, feta, and semi-dried tomatoes mingle with cured meats such as coppa and saucisson sec. Hints of Thai red curry paste freshly ground by mortar and pestle, along with thyme flowers, lavender, and violets, add complexity. Aromas of slow-cooked comfort foods—braised lamb with winter root vegetables, barley and mushroom risotto, and concentrated bone broth—enrich the bouquet. On the palate, the wine is glossy and resolved with malt and toast leading the way. Generous sweet fruit notes are enveloped by American oak, which encases the dark fruit core. As the oak impression softens, it reveals bursts of custard, goji berries, medjool dates, and a creamy chocolate-malt texture. Subtle layers of oregano, hazelnut, and cinnamon season the wine. Structurally, it flares open rather than narrowing toward the finish, supported by clear tannins and a harmonious, resolved mouthfeel.
