Penfolds Quantum Bin 98 is a groundbreaking "Wine of the World" blend, combining 87% Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon with 13% South Australian Shiraz. First released with the 2018 vintage, it reflects Penfolds' global vision—melding power, elegance, and complexity across hemispheres.

Jamessuckling.com | JS 98
Published: Aug 2, 2021

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 very refined, creamy and chewy tannins. Full and very impressive. Very Penfolds. Mouth-filling texture. It?s made mostly from Napa grapes and predominantly from Oakville and Diamond Mountain. About one-fifth is from South Australia. Aged in 80% new American oak and 20% new French. Try after 2026. 

The Wine Advocate | RP 97+
Published: Feb 18, 2021
Drink: 2026-2046

The first release of this new iconoclastic label, the 2018 Quantum Bin 98 is labeled as a "Wine of the World," although the AVA is the United States and 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. In fact, the wine is made very much like Grange, in that it completes fermentation in new, mainly American oak barrels. Deep garnet-purple colored, it needs a good amount of swirling to unlock slowly emerging scents of chocolate-covered cherries, plum preserves, blueberry compote and cassis with fragrant suggestions of vanilla pod, violets, coconut, crushed rocks, pencil lead and clove oil. Medium to full-bodied, the generously fruited palate explodes in the mouth with ripe, juicy black and blue fruits, supported by firm, grainy tannins and a lovely burst of freshness, finishing long and spicy. It is mostly all fruit and American oak at this youthful stage, but I imagine that like Grange, its real appeal comes with bottle age. I would give it at least five years to allow the oak to marry and tertiary nuances to emerge, then drink it over the next 20 years or more. To manage expectations?this doesn't taste like Napa or South Australia. It doesn't even taste like the 2018 vintage here in Napa. It really is its own thing, which I suppose is the point. 1,749 cases were made.

Decanter | D 97
Published: Feb 5, 2021
Drink: 2025-2050

DAVID SLY: 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 obvious, 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. MATTHEW LUCZY: 96 points (Tasted in Los Angeles on 28 Jan 2021) Decadent aromas of blackcurrant, black plum, hot gravel, and cocoa nib. A seamless, polished texture leads to a palate of boysenberry, raspberry, toffee and charcoal. The finish is charred, chewy and tenacious, with lingering notes of coffee and graphite – the blend is aged for 16 months only in new oak, 80% of which is American, 20% French. There is an overall grace to its currently primary nature, showing great poise and restraint.
Closure: Cork
Alcohol: 14.70%
Body: Full
Oak: Oaked
Grapes: 87% Cabernet Sauvignon 13% Shiraz

Jancisrobinson.com | JR 18
Published: Jul 21, 2021
Drink: 2025-2040

'Wine of USA 87%, Wine of Australia 13%' says the label, from Napa Valley (Cabernet Sauvignon) and South Australia (Shiraz) respectively. Aged 16 months in American oak (80% new) and French oak (20% new).
Like their Bin 600, this has the Penfolds imprint in full effect, with opulent oak spice. However, the fruit here is of an altogether higher calibre, giving far greater balance and depth. There's even a touch of gruffness to the tannin, which lends it a bit more personality than its more manicured stablemates. Loads of black-olive complexity on the long, pleasurable finish. Is this the Californian Grange? Well, it's not majority Shiraz, but the quality is comparable.

Penfolds.com

Penfolds Quantum Bin 98 is the continuation of a twenty-year endeavor from when Australian vine cuttings were planted in Californian soil. A Wine of the World that encapsulates 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 serves as the most powerful expression of our blending style and leads the charge in Penfolds ambition to seek out parcels of intense flavor, 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.

Colour: Deep red, magenta brightness at the rim.
Nose: A complex dark-berried spectrum commands immediate focus and with further attention blackberry, blueberry and boysenberry can be teased out.
Palate: A blue-berried wash and glistening film covers the palate with conviction. Viscous/marbled texture combines with suppleness and acid succulence. Respectful acidity tightens the palate, clenching/compressing around a core of graphite and hazelnut: Graphite confirms varietal and identity. Hazelnut confirms oak maturation. A plush texture which cushions the palate. Exotic intrigue. Sweetness that dials up over time with air. All boxes ticked.