Penfolds Wine Guide: Grange, Bin 707, 407, 389, 150 & 128 Explained

Penfolds has been making wine since 1844, when Dr Christopher Rawson Penfold and his wife Mary established Magill Estate in Adelaide. Today the house is famous for blending fruit across South Australia's best regions and for building reds that reward patience. This guide explains six of its most collected labels: what each one is, where it comes from, how it drinks, and how critics scored the latest releases.

Penfolds Grange: Australia's most famous red

First made by Max Schubert in 1951, Penfolds Grange is a multi-regional, Shiraz-dominant blend with a small share of Cabernet Sauvignon, matured in new American oak hogsheads. Exact blends vary by vintage: the 2019 is 97% Shiraz and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon, with around 82% of the fruit from the Barossa Valley and the balance from McLaren Vale, Coonawarra and Clare Valley.

Expect dense black fruit, spice, liquorice and savoury complexity, with a firm structure built for decades. Collectors seek out vintages such as 2016, 2018, 2019 and the 2022, which scored between 97 and 99 from the Australian critics tasting the 2026 Collection. Jeni Port described it as "Sustained power meets a rising complex elegance." Grange is also released in presentation gift boxes, which suit gifting and long-term cellaring.

Penfolds Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon: the flagship Cabernet

If Grange is Penfolds' Shiraz icon, Bin 707 is its Cabernet counterpart. It is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon blended from regions including Coonawarra, the Barossa Valley and Padthaway, and matured in 100% new American oak hogsheads. The 2024 spent 16 months in oak. Typical notes are cassis, blackcurrant, cedar and dark chocolate over ripe, firm tannins. The 2021 and 2024 vintages are both widely collected.

Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon: the approachable Cabernet

Bin 407 was first released with the 1990 vintage and was inspired by Bin 707. It offers the same varietal focus at a friendlier price and earlier drinkability, with blackcurrant, bay leaf, cedar and savoury spice. Lisa Cardelli called the 2024 "Quintessential Australian Cabernet in all its glory and typicity..." It is a smart choice for a first Penfolds Cabernet, and a gift box edition is available for the 2022 vintage.

Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz: "Baby Grange"

First made in 1960 by Max Schubert, Bin 389 is nicknamed "Baby Grange" because it is matured in barrels that previously held Grange. It blends Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz, with Cabernet providing structure and Shiraz richness. The 2021 is 53% Cabernet and 47% Shiraz, with fruit from McLaren Vale, Coonawarra, the Barossa Valley, Wrattonbully and Padthaway. Read the full Bin 389 2021 tasting notes on penfolds.com. Available vintages range from the mature 2009 to the 2024, and the 2021 Year of the Dragon 1.5 L magnum makes a striking collector's piece.

Penfolds Bin 150 Marananga Shiraz: Barossa depth

Bin 150 is 100% Shiraz from Marananga, a prized sub-district in the western Barossa Valley. Expect ripe dark plum, blackberry, sweet spice and firm, structured tannins. Vintages such as 2015, 2017 and 2018 are drinking well now, with the potential to age further.

Penfolds Bin 128 Coonawarra Shiraz: cool-climate elegance

Bin 128 shows a different side of Shiraz. Grown in Coonawarra's famous red soils, it is peppery and savoury with fine tannins and fresh acidity. Jeni Port said the 2024 "Oozes potential with some serious ageing ability." It is often the most accessible entry to the Bin Series.

2026 critic scores at a glance

Average of the 100-point scores published in The Penfolds Collection 2026 critic summary:

Browse every current release and official tasting notes on the Penfolds tasting notes hub.

Browse our current Penfolds range, including gift boxes and large formats here.