2018 Penfolds Bin 600 California Cabernet Shiraz

Penfolds makes Australia’s most renowned wine – Penfolds Grange, a Shiraz-based wine that was inspired by Rhone Valley’s Syrah blends. Grange was introduced in 1951 by Max Schubert, the legendary Penfolds winemaker in the middle and later years of the 20th century. As a wine producer, Penfolds’ history dates to the mid-19th century, when a young English physician named Dr. Penfold migrated to Australia and started producing wine as boon to the health of his patients. Until World War II the winery specialized in fortified wines and brandy, but Schubert helped turn Penfolds into a successful producer of table wines, including Grange and Bin 707, a Cabernet Sauvignon. Today the company is owned by Southcorp Wines and produces many grape varieties, including Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Chardonnay along with Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon. Annual production of Grange is 8,000-10,000 cases. Annual production of Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon is 10,000-14,000 cases.

Sonoma County is not an AVA, but it is a commonly used informal designation for wines made outside of more specific AVAs within Sonoma, which is a large wine producing region just west of Napa Valley. Though Sonoma is often overshadowed by its glamorous neighbor Napa Valley, it has a long history of wine production. The area specialized in jug wine until the mid-20th century, when Sonoma producers took a cue from Napa and started improving quality. Unlike Napa, where Cabernet Sauvignon is king, Sonoma specialized in Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel, though excellent Cabs are produced too. There are at present 16 AVAs within Sonoma County, and, like much of the West Coast of the United States, new AVAs are created in Sonoma County with regularity. Some Sonoma appellations, such as the Russian River Valley, are renowned for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

This grape is grown in milder climates and produces a medium-to full-bodied wine. It is also known as Shiraz, but should not be confused with Petit Sirah, which was developed by crossing Syrah with Peloursin.