"Primarily from the Limestone Coast, which had a superb vintage, plus some McLaren Vale and Barossa Valley. A full-on symphony of sultry dark fruits, spice, dark chocolate and licorice, the tannin and oak made to measure. Drink to: 2044."  

James Halliday; The Weekend Australian Magazine - 97 points

"I'm a card-carrying member of the Bin 389 lovers club. Known affectionately as baby Grange, Bin 389 has just celebrated its 60th birthday. This youthful example is one of the better vintages I have tried but if you think it is good now, wait and see what it tastes like in another decade or two. Drink: 2021-2049."  

Bob Campbell MW, The Real Review - 97 points

"Deep crimson. Fresh blackcurrant, mulberry, black cherry, dark chocolate aromas with roasted chestnut, cedar, liquorice notes. Full bodied and evenly balanced wine with inky cassis, mulberry black cherry fruits, fine grainy slightly grippy tannins, attractive mid-palate volume and roasted chestnut cedar wood notes. Finishes vigorously firm with plentiful sweet fruit notes. Quite muscular in attack but has the density and the richness to carry the tannins. A dark horse vintage with the shape of Bin 389 and the torque of Bin 707. Seal; cork 2026-2045 14.5% alc."  

Andrew Caillard MW - 96 points

"Deep, dense, glass staining red/purple colour. The bouquet is very savoury mixing earthy, spicy, blackstrap licorice and toasty-barrel nuances, the palate savoury and drying, the more sapid and less fruity aspects typical of of the Bin 389 style. There is a blackberry and cassis cabernet note in there too, when you hunt for it. Great intensity, concentration and focus, elegant, taut and long-lingering. A classic 389, ageworthy and very much in the style groove. Drink: 2023-2043."  

Huon Hooke, The Real Review - 96 points

"There is a resolute conviction to Bin 389, a confident assuredness that transcends its seasons like no other wine around it in the Penfolds line-up, its consistency grounded in the almost even marriage of its 2 constituents. The 2019 vintage exemplifies this, a seamless harmony between the tension and fine-boned structure of cabernet and the body and depth of shiraz, yet embraced here in seamlessly interlocked harmony. A sea of glorious Penfolds tannins float a finish that is both expansive and far-reaching. Another grand 389 for the cellar! Drink by 2049."  

Tyson Stelzer, Halliday Wine Companion - 96 points

"A wine for Penfolds' true believers. 'Claret' for the modern era. Stating the case for multi-regional styling. This is fabulous from the first whiff, with so much going on in its complex expression that wafts from cabernet's aromatic herbal notes then settle into the vintage's savoury suggestions – some meatiness and charcuterie for instance – then mocha of course, and delicious little pokes of sweet plum bringing the shiraz fruit into focus. The synergy of the blend become singular, wrapped up in a mouthful of integrated tannins. All round excellence."  

Tony Love, Wine Pilot – 96 points

"Matured in the same barrels that held the previous vintage of Grange. Structure from the cabernet and the richness of the shiraz. The quintessential Australian blend. Bay leaf, sage, cassis, blackberry. This is tannic, dense and full on… but it shows a potential for graceful ageing that stands above all that it has to offer on the fruit front. Very full on today, but this is a cracker. Buy it put it down… this is fierce. But it is also brilliant. A commanding release."

Erin Larkin, erinlarkin website – 96 points

"Dark magenta with a purple rim. Early days, of course, but this wine is already exhibiting more complexity than most. Warm earth, animal hide, truffles, dark chocolate, beautifully integrated oak, a hint of garden herbs and of a malty chocolate note. Such a gorgeous seductive character. Seamless and supple. Bright acidity in the background. The intensity is maintained on a very long finish. Silky tannins and plenty of them. Good concentration. This wine is so well structured and so impressively balanced. This is a 389 which offers a great deal now but so much more if you can put it away for a decade or two."  

Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot - 96 points

"Seamless release. It draws everything together in the most agreeable of ways. Currants and plums, mint and various fragrant herbs, vanilla, cedar, blood orange and licorice. The sweet core of fruit is extended by the tannin rather than abrupted. It's in the zone. It feels complete. And that blood orange note, choc-orange almost but not quite, evident on both the nose and in the mouth, is quite mesmerizingly delicious. Drink : 2026 - 2038+."

Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front - 95 points

"With its seamless textural slide across the palate, this is a superb example of what is considered a distinctly Australian blend, showing both generosity and serious intent. A magnificent full nose leads to a lively dance of red plums over blue and black fruits, although the strong acid spine results in a rather sharp finish. Time in the cellar will reveal more integrated harmony between the essential elements."  

David Sly, Decanter - 95 points 

"Of all the traditional Penfolds Bin reds, 389 is the one that consistently year after year arrives ready to enjoy straight out of the blocks. It's a winemaking masterclass in balance and integration of cabernet sauvignon and shiraz from multiple South Australian wine regions. In 2019, five regions provide the basic materials led by Padthaway and McLaren Vale. Usually more prominent, Coonawarra and the Barossa Valley come in last, an indication maybe of the summer heat waves that they endured.  If anything, the 389 a la 2019 is a little forward but it nevertheless comes fully formed resplendent in the scent of violets, sage, spiced black berries, licorice and fresh coffee grounds. The percentage of new American oak has been pulled back a smidge to reveal a mere dusting of pencil shavings, vanillin overlay. It makes for an attractive background to the vibrancy of fruit. Dried herbs, blue fruits, black berries, earth are all tight and focused on a palate drawn tight by fine tannins."  

Jeni Port, Wine Pilot – 94 points