2018 Penfolds 'Bin 600' Cabernet Shiraz

94 Points: Cuttings from South Australia’s Kalimna and Magill Estate Vineyards were planted in as a multi-regional California blend from soils in Napa, Sonoma, and Paso Robles. Focusing in on Camatta Hills vineyard, originally named Creston “600” Ranch in Paso Robles’s Creston District, the wine was so named Bin 600 in its honor. With its rolling hills, large diurnal temperature swings, clay loam and calcareous soils, the terroir is reminiscent of the Barossa Valley. While the Paso Robles planting of Aussie genetic materials goes back to 1998, the Penfolds team has been experimenting in Creston AVA for over 20 years. This wine’s herb-kissed depth of blackberry and plum morphs into a rare roast beef meatiness. Sparked by a salinity, caper berry and olive tapenade come into play. A streak of chocolate almond croissant provides voluminous softness and sweetens the savory side.