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Penfolds Bin 28 Kalimna Shiraz 1981

Penfolds Bin 28 Kalimna Shiraz 1981
Penfolds Bin 28 Kalimna Shiraz 1981
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Penfolds

Penfolds Bin 28 Kalimna Shiraz 1981

SKU: PEBS198110 UCAU
15 Plus Years
$149.99 / bottle
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1 bottle
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First released in 1959, Bin 28 is one of Penfolds’ longest-standing and most recognisable Shiraz wines, drawing on the legacy of the famed Kalimna vineyards and generations of winemaking excellence from Australia’s most iconic producer.

A classic introduction to the Penfolds style, Bin 28 delivers the rich Barossa-inspired character and dependable quality that have made it a favourite with Australian wine lovers for decades.

Sourced from a premium private cellar

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Penfolds Bin 28 Kalimna Shiraz 1981

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Tasting Notes

Penfolds Bin 28 Kalimna Shiraz 1981 exemplifies the enduring legacy of Penfolds’ winemaking mastery, originating from the renowned Kalimna vineyards in Australia’s Barossa Valley. First introduced in 1959, Bin 28 remains one of the most iconic Australian Shiraz labels, celebrated for its consistency, depth, and classic Barossa character. This 1981 vintage captures the perfect balance between rich fruit intensity and sophisticated maturity, reflecting over two decades of careful cellaring from a premium private collection.

Characterized by its lush aromas and flavors of ripe dark berries, this Shiraz is layered with hints of warm spices, subtle oak nuances, and silky, well-integrated tannins. The wine’s complexity and structure are a direct expression of the Kalimna terroir, known for producing deeply concentrated fruit with a refined elegance. The 1981 harvest was notable for its ideal growing conditions in the Barossa Valley, contributing to the wine’s exceptional maturity and harmonious finish.

Penfolds Bin 28 Kalimna Shiraz is a pioneering representation of Australian Shiraz, showcasing generations of precise vineyard selection and blending expertise. Its signature style offers a captivating depth and richness, embodying the warmth and vitality of the Barossa region while maintaining the finesse that Penfolds is globally recognized for.

This vintage is a rare and prized collector’s item, embodying decades of Australian wine heritage and the excellence that Penfolds consistently delivers. A true testament to the strength and spirit of one of the world’s most esteemed wine regions, the 1981 Bin 28 Kalimna Shiraz offers an unforgettable tasting experience with every pour.

  • First released in 1959, Bin 28 is one of Penfolds’ longest-standing and most recognizable Shiraz wines, built on the legacy of the famed Kalimna vineyards and generations of winemaking expertise.
  • A classic introduction to the Penfolds style, Bin 28 delivers the rich Barossa-inspired character and dependable quality that have made it a favorite with Australian wine enthusiasts for decades.
  • Sourced from a premium private cellar, this 1981 vintage showcases exceptional maturity and complexity.
red

Red

2024

1981

icon-grapes-bold

Shiraz

Wirra_Wirra

Penfolds

McLaren_Vale_South_Australia_Australia

Barossa Valley

750ml_Bottle

750ml (Bottle)

10-15_Years

15 Plus Years

14

14.0%

icon-cork_7fa41e8a-1ddb-4194-95e8-f8169a35c5dd

Cork

Vinification & Cultivation

Crafted only for our premium wines

Vineyard Cultivation

The Kalimna vineyard, established in the 1880s in Barossa Valley's warm heart, is home to some of Australia's oldest ungrafted Shiraz vines. By 1981, Kalimna's mature old vines—averaging 70+ years—produced concentrated, powerful fruit without excessive alcohol, characteristic of the cool-climate ripening style of the era. The vineyard's sandy loam soils provided natural structure and mineralality. The 1981 vintage was warm across Barossa, concentrating flavours in smaller berries. Penfolds reserved the Bin 28 designation exclusively for Kalimna fruit, treating the vineyard as a flagship source. The wine represents a critical snapshot of pre-modern winemaking, before widespread temperature control and interventionist practices.

Vinification

1981 practices reflected traditional approaches: fruit was crushed and fermented in open-topped vessels or small tanks with minimal temperature management, allowing fermentation to develop naturally over several weeks. The wine macerated on skins for extended periods, extracting robust colour and tannin. After pressing, the wine aged in large, neutral wooden vessels and older American oak hogsheads rather than new French oak, permitting gradual oxidative maturation. No sulphur additions beyond minimal amounts were typical for the era. The resulting wine exhibits the leathery, savoury character distinctive of 1980s Australian Shiraz.

About this Wine

Penfolds

Penfolds was established in 1844 by a young English doctor, Dr Christopher Rawson Penfold. He built a cottage in Magill, on the outskirts of Adelaide with his wife Mary, and it was around this site that vine cuttings from the South of France were planted. Peter Gago joined Penfolds in 1989, and in 2002, he became Chief Winemaker. He leads an incredibly talented and experienced winemaking team who follow the traditions established by Penfolds previous owners.

Penfolds house style wines embrace the idea of multi-regional blending, optimum fruit quality, the use of fine-grained American and French oak and most often, barrel fermentation and maturation. Penfolds has played a big part in the evolution of winemaking in Australia - and across the world. Their biggest viticultural regions include Adelaide, the Barossa Valley, the Clare Valley, Coonawarra, Limestone Coast, and McLaren Vale. In total, grapes are sourced from more than 220 vineyards across Australia and only the best are chosen.

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South Australia

If you like Australian wine, then you probably like South Australia wine. The rich reds produced there put Australia on the wine-making map of the world. With over 40% of the countries vineyards, South Australia can rightfully call itself the wine state.

Wines are produced in several regions throughout the state, though many are naturally grouped together, like Barossa and Eden Valleys, only 15 minutes apart. They include such regions as Barossa Valley, Clare Valley, Eden Valley, Coonawarra, Adelaide Hills, Kangaroo Island, Langhorne Creek, The Limestone Coast, McLaren Vale and Wrattonbully to name but a few!

Barossa Valley boasts some of the oldest vines in Australia dating back to 1843 and produces some of the world's finest Shiraz, whilst the 'terra rossa' soils of Coonawarra is most suited to producing outstanding Cabernet Sauvignons. If you're a fan of Riesling, Clare Valley is a great place to explore and for a Maritime climate not dissimilar to parts of the Italian coastline, seek out the wines from McLaren Vale.

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