In case readers weren't aware, Bin 707 is always aged in new American oak, like Grange. The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Bin 707 features plenty of vanilla on the nose, backed by concentrated cassis fruit. It's full-bodied, velvety and richly tannic, clearly meant to have two decades (or more) of longevity. Marked by ripe fruit, a notable lack of herbaceousness, and lavish oak, it's out of step with current trends in Australian Cabernet Sauvignon, but it's no less delicious and all the more unique for that.

Glass-staining ruby. Intensely perfumed red and dark fruit liqueur, floral oil, coconut and cured tobacco qualities on the highly expressive nose. Offers palate-staining, still-primary cherry-vanilla, blackcurrant, coconut and fruitcake flavors that are lifted and sharpened by an undercurrent of smoky minerality. Gains weight with air while retaining energy and finishes sweet and extremely long, with reverberating cherry and floral notes and supple, slow-building tannins.

Bin 707 is a perfect Cabernet Sauvignon representation of Penfolds' house style: intensely flavoured fruit; completion of fermentation and maturation in new oak; expressing a Penfolds understanding of multi-vineyard, multi-region fruit sourcing. Bin 707 was first vintaged in 1964. The wine was not made from 1970 to 1975 (when fruit was directed to other wines) nor in 1981, 1995, 2000, 2003, 2011 or 2017 (when fruit of the required style and quality was not available). Full-bodied and with proven cellaring potential. Blend of McLaren Vale, Coonawarra, Barossa Valley, Wrattonbully, Robe and Adelaide Hills fruit. TA 7 g/l, pH 3.5. Aged for 18 months in American oak hogsheads (100% new). A relatively dry winter and spring, coupled with slightly above-average temperatures, indicated an early start to the growing season. A spell of cold weather during budburst slowed vine phenology by approximately 10–14 days but climatic conditions for flowering and fruit-set were optimal in all regions. Summer was warm, with the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale and Coonawarra all experiencing heat spells greater than 35 °C in January with below-average rainfall. Late flowering and onset of veraison delayed harvest by a few weeks, a pattern also reflected in Wrattonbully and Robe. The Adelaide Hills had a very dry finish to summer and an unseasonably warm autumn, ensuring Cabernet Sauvignon achieved ample ripeness with good levels of flavour and intensity. 'Overall, an exceptional vintage for Cabernet Sauvignon with strong varietal expression across each sourcing region.' Extremely luscious – particularly in contrast to Bin 169. Like melted blackcurrant pastilles with an overlay of an Australian summer. Great balance and drive but very sumptuous. The fruit is already dominating the tannins – which are notable. Very Penfolds and a success! (JR)