Penfolds Bin 51 Riesling 2021

Penfolds Bin 51 Riesling, Eden Valley, South Australia, 2021 

Grape: Riesling, aged 3 months in stainless steel, unoaked

Producer Tasting Note:

Very pale straw colour with luminous green hues. On the nose, a kaleidoscopic ascent of citrus derivatives – lemon sherbet is the first to be impatiently released; later, at their own pace and more assuredly, notes of Tahitian lime and lemon verbena. And then there’s more – scents of citrus bath salts/fresh linen and lemongrass. A beguiling limestone-talc lift plus freshly-cut flowers, freshly-cut fennel, freshly-sliced cucumber, sea spray.

No shortage of flavour, yet as noted in the commentary above, it’s the fineness and purity of this youthful riesling that immediately impacts upon that first sip. If we were to proactively and immediately leap to the other end of the palate – it certainly finishes exactingly clean and ‘soft’. Be assured, no lack of acidity, no lack of attack, albeit gently. What of the mid-palate, flavours? Certainly a highlight – finger lime, lemon/lime zest, again sherbet, juniper berries, mirin, and a slatey/crushed marble chalkiness. Eden Valley Riesling attired in its Sunday-best

Critics' Tasting Notes:

"Strongly marked by floral notes on the nose, the 2021 Bin 51 Riesling also includes hints of green apples, tangerines and limes, plus some gentle custardy-leesy nuances. At only 11% alcohol, it's light-bodied in the mouth, flowing like citrus-spiked rainwater across the mid-palate and finishing tart, crisp and racy, with mouthwatering intensity. Over recent vintages, this has become one of my favorite Penfolds white wines for its combination of cellar-ability and value. While I enjoy how the wines develop with age, others may wish to drink them young, either on their own or with raw shellfish—Coffin Bay oysters, if you can get them."  Drink 2021-2035

93/100 points, Joe Czerwinski, WINE ADVOCATE, July 2021

"Eden Valley signature florals are as prominent as ever: the scent of jasmine, apple blossom, honeysuckle joined by a rising lemon citrussy aroma. The familiarity with past releases of Bin 51 ends there, well, almost.  Yes, this is definitely an Eden Valley riesling of some quality. The purity of citrus and apple gives its provenance away. That floral overlay is captivating, as ever.

However, a closer look at the label’s fine print and the alcohol achieved in 2021 – a lowish 11% – combined with a markedly high acidity – 8.4 grams/litre – tells the other side of the Bin 51 story.  This is a wine endowed with a super brisk acidity. Yes, indeedy. I might call it captivating (acid hounds like me highly approve of such things). It plays against a lemon drop, citrus-lime sucking juiciness  and soft, baked apple flavours. It picks you right up. Others might call it aggressive at this early stage. I think this debate deserves to be put on hold for a while. Let’s take a look at this wine again a little further down the track, say, three to five years? Of course, I will be drinking it over the next three to five years and then some.  That’s riesling for you. Drink now? Drink later? Or, just drink on through?"

91/100 points, Jen Port, WINEPILOT, July 2021

Also awarded 96/100 points by James Halliday

Created in the 1990s as part of the evolving Penfolds white wine development program, Bin 51 captures many of the attributes of the Eden Valley locale. The region’s high altitude and cool climate induces riesling with great finesse and elegance with a capacity for long-term cellaring. South Australia has gained worldwide recognition for producing definitive world-class riesling and Eden Valley always features. In their youth, the wines possess scented floral and citrus aromas, with a mineral edge and marked natural acidity, contributing significantly to the palate texture and flavour. The evolution of Penfolds Bin 51 Eden Valley Riesling opens another chapter in a long history of Penfolds involvement in winemaking from this variety

Food Match: Pizza pianta, sage and butter ravioli, sheep's milk cheeses.