"A 51/49% blend of cabernet sauvignon and shiraz sourced from seven regions in SA, matured for 14 months in American oak hogsheads (40% new). Shares the exceptional depth of purple-crimson colour with the other superstars of this vintage. It is full-bodied, with layer-upon-layer of flavour, yet has a plush, welcoming character. The perfectly ripe blackcurrant and blackberry fruit has a coat of Belgian chocolate, the oak already submerged under the fruit."
96 Points
James Halliday, The Australian Wine Companion
"There’s so much granular tannin here it almost feels as though you can taste the sediment in it, as a young wine. Schubert would likely have approved. This is a determined style of wine. In terms of flavour, as is often the case with 389, cabernet is the main player. Blackcurrant, dust, chocolate, black olives, cloves and menthol. There’s a lot of typical Penfolds vanillin oak here, and indeed when you swallow, it provides the final impression. The mid palate, interestingly, also carries a hint of fresh leather – an attractive flavour that can make some drinkers nervous. I know I always rabbit on about tannin, but the spread here is remarkable. There’s a berry farm near where I live and they serve a concoction named Death by Berries. This wine reminded me of it. Blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and a syrupy mix of the three. This wine is very 389, very Penfolds, and if you tend to react against either, then you won’t like this. But this tastes like a pinnacle release 389 to me. And when the aroma has evolved and the finish tidied itself up, perhaps even a great one. Drink 2022-2035+"
95+ Points
Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front