Penfolds releases rare Special Bin 111A

It was a long time in making, 10 years since the last special bin release, but right at the start of 2020, Penfolds has already made history by releasing a new, rare wine from the 2016 vintage – Special Bin 111A Clare Valley Barossa Valley Shiraz 2016.

Released to commemorate its 175 years of wine-making heritage last October, the new release has landed a perfect 100-point score from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, scoring top scores for colour and appearance, aroma and bouquet, flavour and finish, and overall quality.

The Wine Advocate by Robert Parker is heralded as a significant influence on seasoned wine consumer’s buying habits and trends worldwide.

Special Bin 111A is blended from two esteemed South Australian Shiraz vineyards, touted as new style and special in terms of its aroma, structure, texture and cerebrally.

Some of us were very lucky to have a sneak preview of the wine and a taste of the exclusive vintage at a dinner held in conjunction with Chinese New Year at The Malaya Room in The Westin Kuala Lumpur.

Amid the grand entrance of the Special Bin 111A, we toasted a loud and long YAM SENG to celebrate its arrival. I’m told the price tag is more than RM6,000 per bottle, so really, every drop of this precious red brew counts!

“Bin 111A is an authentic Penfolds Special Bin, rare and true to the Penfolds ‘House Style’. Special Bins are only released if they offer something extra, different and unique,” said Peter Gago, Penfolds Chief Winemaker.

Named after the wine’s oak maturation stack number, Special Bin 111A is the first Special Bin blend of Clare Valley and Barossa Valley. Grapes were carefully selected from the Botanic Vineyard in Clare Valley and the Gersch Vineyard in Barossa, South Australia.

Penfolds Special Bin 111A Clare Valley Barossa Valley Shiraz 2016 will be available in Malaysia starting in the second half of 2020.