1998 Penfolds Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon

An outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon and more approachable than the 1996 Grange which was tasted along side it, as part of a tasting of the Penfolds Super Premium Red wine releases. Opaque, crimson colour with a black heart. Superb aromas. The Cabernet is obvious from the first sniff - sophisticated, very refined, yet surprisingly open at this stage. Aromas of cedar, blackcurrant, tobacco and violets, with just the faintest trace of leafy Cabernet as an end note. The palate is tight knit, with dusty Cabernet dry tannins perfectly matched to the classy blackcurrant, cedar and liquorice flavours. On the back palate the leafy character reappears but is handled as a complexing layer of flavour, rather than the usual mischievous fault that it can be. Outstanding length and depth of flavour. Very concentrated, with exceptionally long aftertaste of cedar, tobacco and blackcurrant. A Classic 707 from the Greatest Vintage of the last century.

RATING: 94/100

VALUE: XXXXX/5