*Minor Label Damage (referring to image 1)
Overview
The 2002 Penfolds Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon 750ml is one of Australia's benchmark Cabernet Sauvignons and a mature expression of the powerful Penfolds house style. Often regarded as the Cabernet counterpart to Grange, Bin 707 combines ripe, intensely flavoured fruit with substantial new American oak and Penfolds' traditional multi-region blending philosophy.
The 2002 vintage is particularly notable for its combination of concentration and freshness. Penfolds considered the release potentially comparable with the highly regarded 1990 and 1996 vintages, and later retrospective tastings have shown the wine developing considerable complexity while retaining impressive density and structure.
Vintage & Winemaking
The 2002 growing season began with regular winter rainfall, providing good soil moisture and healthy vine growth. Spring and summer were among the coolest on record, slowing ripening and reducing yields. A warm, dry autumn then allowed the Cabernet Sauvignon to achieve full ripeness while maintaining freshness and balance.
Fruit was sourced from Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale and Padthaway. The wine was matured for 14 months in new American oak hogsheads, a defining element of the Bin 707 style. The resulting wine combined concentrated Cabernet fruit with mocha, dark chocolate and savoury oak characters, supported by substantial ripe tannins.
Product Highlights
| Attribute |
Details |
| Producer |
Penfolds |
| Wine |
Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Vintage |
2002 |
| Region |
South Australia |
| Vineyard Regions |
Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Padthaway |
| Country |
Australia |
| Variety |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Alcohol |
14.5% |
| Maturation |
14 months in new American oak hogsheads |
| Volume |
750ml |
| Style |
Full-Bodied Australian Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Cellaring |
Drink Now |
- One of Australia's benchmark Cabernet Sauvignon wines
- Multi-region blend from Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale and Padthaway
- Matured for 14 months in 100% new American oak
- Highly regarded cool-season 2002 vintage
- Awarded 95 points by Robert Parker in a 2014 retrospective tasting
- Collectible mature release from one of Penfolds' most recognised labels
Tasting Notes
Appearance
Deep garnet with a dark core, showing mature development while retaining notable density and colour.
Aroma
Concentrated aromas of blackcurrant, cassis and blackberry are layered with cedar, spice, black olive, mocha and dark chocolate. Subtle smoky and savoury notes add further complexity with bottle age.
Palate
Full-bodied, dense and richly textured, with concentrated blackcurrant and dark stone fruit framed by mocha, dark chocolate, black olive and tarry savoury notes. The once-powerful tannins have softened with maturity while retaining substantial structure and length.
Finish
Long and persistent, with lingering cassis, dark chocolate, cedar, spice and savoury oak supported by mature, finely integrated tannins.
Food Pairing
The 2002 Penfolds Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon pairs beautifully with:
- Dry-aged ribeye steak
- Roast lamb with rosemary
- Braised beef cheeks
- Roast duck or game
- Mature cheddar or aged hard cheeses
Serving Temperature: 17–18°C
Cellaring Potential
The 2002 Bin 707 is now a mature Cabernet Sauvignon and should be considered ready to drink. While early Penfolds guidance listed a peak drinking period through 2020, later retrospective tastings demonstrated significantly greater longevity. Well-stored bottles may continue to hold successfully, but at this age provenance, fill level and closure condition are increasingly important.
Recommended drinking window: Drink now.
