Ranked #11 of 65 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz from Barossa Valley
92/100
4 Stars
Huon Hooke
Deep purple red, very good color. Shy, reticent aroma, perfumed oak, charcuterie, rather firm with lots of tannin, quite firm and drying finish but full of flavour and richness. Good depth, weight and concentration. Long finish.
Tasted: 08/04/2011
Drink: 2012 to 2030
91 Points Robert Parker
Deep garnet-purple colored the 2008 Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz is a little restrained on the nose, giving appealing notes of mocha, cloves and chocolate box over a core of blueberries and kirsch. Medium to full bodied, it’s dense and taut in the mouth with a firm structure of chewy tannins and lively acidity, finishing long and purely fruited. Approachable now, it should give pleasure to 2018+.
Source: Robert Parker (Robert Parker Wine Advocate) by Lisa Perrotti-Brown. December, 2011
96 Points James Halliday
An aristocratic wine that carries on the dynasty of the even-numbered vintage reign of 389, the king of the Bins. Shiraz leads out with signature black plum, pepper and dark chocolate flavours, while cabernet brings up the rear with crunchy blackcurrants, tobacco and capsicum fruit. That classic 389 backbone of steely, firm, fine tannins will ensure it holds the throne for decades. Drink 2018 - 2033.
Source: James Halliday. March, 2011
95 Points James Halliday
Strong purple-crimson; there is a cohesive element to the Bin releases of ’08, all showing very good fruit concentration and balance, as with the blackberry and blackcurrant flavours and tannins of this wine. Excellent cellaring potential. Drink to 2030.
Source: James Halliday. January, 2011
96 Points Tyson Stelzer
An aristocratic wine that carries on the dynasty of the even-numbered vintage reign of 389, the king of the Bins. Shiraz leads out with signature black plum, pepper and dark chocolate flavours, while cabernet brings up the rear with crunchy blackcurrants, tobacco and capsicum fruit. That classic 389 backbone of steely, firm, fine tannins will ensure it holds the throne for decades. Drink 2018 - 2033.
Source: Tyson Stelzer. March, 2011
Deep garnet-purple colored the 2008 Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz is a little restrained on the nose, giving appealing notes of mocha, cloves and chocolate box over a core of blueberries and kirsch. Medium to full bodied, it’s dense and taut in the mouth with a firm structure of chewy tannins and lively acidity, finishing long and purely fruited. Approachable now, it should give pleasure to 2018+. Source: Robert Parker (eRobertParker.com) February, 2012 by Lisa Perrotti-Brown