Penfolds Quantum Bin 98 is the continuation of a twenty-year endeavour from when Australian vine cuttings were planted in California soil. A Wine of the World encapsulating a bold blending alliance, Quantum reveals a wine that shows wisdom, crafted with conviction but also embedded in the "quality-first" philosophy that underpins Penfolds' flagships. The wine is the most powerful expression of their blending style and leads the charge in Penfolds' ambition to seek out parcels of intense flavour, structural tannins and equal parts grace and complexity. Northern and southern hemispheres bring prized Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley and pedigreed Shiraz from South Australia, respectively, into each other's realm. Not adhering to expectations and de rigueur.

Rich malt, bone marrow, and a complex spectrum of dark berries make up the aromatic core. These slowly fuse with notes of blackberry, blueberry, and boysenberry complemented by sugared pastry, cinnamon apple, and piquant punches of mild horseradish cream and Dijon mustard. A blue-berried wash and glistening film cover the palate with a dense, supple texture and succulent acidity. Flavours of graphite and hazelnut provide an exotic intrigue, with a whisper of sweetness that grows over time with air.

AVA Blend: 87% Oakville Diamond Mountain District, 13% South Australia. Variety Blend: 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Shiraz.

98 Points - James Suckling

What sticks with you about this global blend of Napa and Southern Australian wine is the intense and transparent purple and blue fruit. Lots of blackberry and blueberry aromas with some stones and flowers, such as violets. It's a very layered and intense wine with refined, creamy and chewy tannins. Full and very impressive. Very Penfolds. Mouth-filling texture. It's made mainly from Napa grapes and predominantly from Oakville and Diamond Mountain. About one-fifth is from South Australia. It was aged 80% new American oak and 20% new French. Try after 2026.

98 Points - Wilfred Wong of Wine

The 2018 Penfolds Bin 98 Quantum Cabernet Sauvignon is truly a "wine of the world." This wine epitomizes what a wine of the future can be—a production of a Cabernet Sauvignon that belongs to wine lovers. Made from 87% Oakville and Diamond Mountain District AVAs and 13% South Australia, this wine is light years ahead of where we are today. This wine gushes forward with aromas and flavours of black fruit, chalk, and oak. The parts are all there for long-term cellaring.

97+ Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The first release of this new iconoclastic label, the 2018 Quantum Bin 98, is labelled a "Wine of the World," although the AVA is the United States. Technically 87% is American wine (Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley), while 13% is Australian ("Grade A1" Shiraz from South Australia). The wine spent 16 months in oak, 100% new, 80% American oak and 20% French. The wine is much like Grange in that it completes fermentation in new, mainly American oak barrels.

97 Points - Decanter

A Wine of the World is a big statement, and this blend of 87% Napa Valley Cabernet with South Australian Shiraz creates a purposeful bridge between two national styles. The Cabernet is typically Napa (from the Oakville and Diamond Mountain District AVAs): stern and solid, flexing powerful muscle as earth and iodine notes speak much louder than fruit sweetness. The addition of Shiraz (an elite component considered for Grange inclusion) isn't apparent. Yet, its influence is profound, with a hint of ripe plum adding a vivid burst of colour to the dark flavour spectrum. The two varieties strike a happy equilibrium on the mid-palate, wrapping generous layers of rich fruit and supple texture into a seamless weave.

95 Points - Wine Enthusiast

The inaugural release of this red combines 87% Cabernet Sauvignon with 13% Shiraz, using grapes from Napa Valley and South Australia. Dark and brooding, it delivers a smooth, textured palate of bright red fruit and supple, integrated tannins with meaty undertones along a continuum of black pepper, graphite and leather.

My Account

My cart

Your Inbox, Upgraded.

Exclusive Drops

Special Offers

Priority Access