Penfolds Bin 138 Shiraz Grenache Mataro 75cl

Big Barossa flavour, but with more twists than your usual Shiraz. This dry, full-bodied Australian red blends Shiraz, Grenache, and Mataro, so you get dark fruit, red berry lift, savoury spice, and a proper food-friendly grip all in one glass.

• Appearance: Deep ruby with a dark purple edge, the kind of colour that tells you this isn’t shy.
• Nose: Black plum, blackberry, raspberry jam, liquorice, cracked pepper, and a little dried herb thing that keeps it from feeling one-note.
• Palate: Shiraz brings the dark fruit and plush weight, Grenache adds juicy red cherry and warmth, while Mataro brings savoury depth, spice, and chewy tannins.
• Body: Full-bodied, rich, and layered, but not clumsy. There’s enough freshness to keep the next sip coming.
• Finish: Long and spicy, with black fruit, cocoa, pepper, and a savoury edge hanging around nicely.
• Food pairings: Roast lamb with rosemary, chargrilled steak, slow-cooked beef short rib, mushroom ragù, or hard cheeses with a bit of bite.

Pour this when dinner has real flavour behind it: grilled meat, herby roasts, tomato-rich sauces, or a braai where the smoke is doing half the seasoning. It also works brilliantly for a Friday night red when you want something more layered than “big and fruity” but don’t want to sit through a wine lecture.

The clever bit here is the blend. Shiraz is the Barossa superstar, all blackberry, plum, and spice. Grenache softens the edges with red fruit and a generous, sun-warmed feel. Mataro, which is the Australian name for Mourvèdre, adds that savoury backbone: darker spice, earthy depth, and tannin that gives the wine shape.

If you already like Australian Shiraz, this is an easy next step. Think of it as Shiraz with better conversation skills. It still has the richness you came for, but the Grenache and Mataro add layers, so the glass changes a little as it opens up. First it’s fruit. Then spice. Then that savoury, almost smoky edge sneaks in.

It’s also a smart pick if you like Rhône-style reds, especially blends built around Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre. Same family idea, but with Barossa sunshine turned up. You get ripe fruit and generosity, without losing the structure that makes it sing with food.

Serve it with a slight chill if the room is warm, then let it breathe for a bit. No ceremony needed. Just give it enough air to let the black fruit, pepper, and savoury notes stretch out. This is the bottle you open when you want people to ask, “Wait, what is this?”

Fun Fact: Bin 138 was inspired by the classic Southern Rhône trio of Grenache, Shiraz, and Mataro, but Penfolds gives it a full Barossa accent. Big fruit, serious spice, no passport required.