Penfolds Bin 150 Marananga Shiraz 2020

Bin 150 is a relative newcomer to the Penfolds stable, first produced in the 2008 vintage. The wine is sourced entirely from the highly regarded Marananga sub-region of the Barossa, where the ancient soils of Marananga provide the backbone to some of the region's best-known wines. The wine typically displays the sub-regional characteristics of saturated colours, dark fruit profile and ripe tannins, which are enhanced by the Penfolds method of vinification and the use of hogsheads and puncheons.

Marananga experienced the second consecutive year of winter drought. Soil moisture levels were well below average leading into the growing season. Spring was cool and dry, driven by below average minimum and maximum temperatures. The trend of cool and dry weather continued well into November delaying flowering and fruit-set. The 2019 calendar year was the driest on record for the Nuriootpa weather station. Summer was typically hot, the Barossa Valley recorded 26 days over 35°C. Conditions in January and February provided some relief. Average February maximum temperatures were 3°C below average. This, combined with a welcome downpour of rain on 1 February, allowed the grapes to slowly reach full ripeness. The unique soils and aspect of Marananga, along with managed irrigation, ensured the region was able to meet the climate challenge and produce a small crop of high-quality shiraz.