Penfolds Bin 128 Coonawarra Shiraz, 2005

I didn't spend much time with this wine last night because it shared the table with the 1983 Domaine Thalabert. At 18 years of age, it too is a beautiful Shiraz showing deep, mature fruit.

Deep ruby, some sediment near the bottom of the bottle. Matured 11 months in new (20%), one-, two- and three-year-old French oak hogsheads. More black fruit than red: blue plums, currants, cassis and French oak spice. Up-front fruit but some savory notes as well. Rich but not heavy on the mid-palate. Good balance. Teases the tongue with natural acidity and a grippy tannic structure.