Barossa’s Gibson Wines is celebrating two key milestones this year, by officially releasing three special Bin wines crafted by its founder, Rob Gibson.
Less than 2000 bottles of each of Gibson “Bin 60 Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz”, “Bin 65 Barossa Shiraz” and “Bin 70 Barossa Shiraz” are available, which until now have not been promoted to the public.
With over 45 vintages in Australia and New Zealand as a winemaker and viticulturist, their inception has been borne from a desire from Rob to create a personal “legacy” to the Barossa’s fine wine landscape.
The Baron of the Barossa and technically trained geologist – known to many in the industry as ‘The Dirtman’ – deliberately held back selected barrels from 2008, 2015 and 2018 vintages. Each barrel was identified by Gibson as the “absolute cream” of each vintage, which then were artfully blended and bottled as the Bin Series.
The rare bottles have been patiently matured in Gibson’s museum – reserved as eventual releases to mark Rob’s 60th, 65th and 70th birthdays. Whilst he reaches 70 later this month, the celebration is joined by a further achievement for Gibson Wines, which turns 25 in 2021.
“This is a confluence of a wonderful milestone for me personally, but also our little gem here in the Barossa”, said Gibson. “I thought, what better time to release these special bottlings as matured expressions. In time, I’m hopeful they can be reflected upon as a small contribution to our region’s fine wine landscape. A bit of personal legacy, if I can be so indulgent now as an old bugger.”
“These wines are deeply personal to me. They are a bit self-styled – they carry my family crest. They have been given decent bottle age – which you rarely see these days. I’ve actually been a bit reluctant to release them. I’d better do so however, as I can only drink so much of the good stuff myself in transition to retirement!”, he added.
Gibson Wines has released a limited number of the Bin Series releases in boxed sets for $990 each. They are available exclusively from the winery from Monday 25th October – ph. (08) 8562 4224, email sales@gibsonwines.com or purchase here.
HUON HOOKE, THE REAL REVIEW
2018 Gibson Bin 70 Barossa Shiraz: 97/100, 5 Stars, Top Rank
Very deep, bright, youthful red/purple colour, with a bouquet of smoked-meats, char-oak and earthy-graphite aromas, very much a Barossa shiraz. A luscious wine, decadent and opulent, powerful, concentrated and very long. It gets to every corner of the mouth. So impressive. (Barossa & Eden Valleys)
2015 Gibson Bin 65 Barossa Shiraz: 97/100, 5 Stars, Top Rank
Very deep, dark colour with glints of black and purple, the bouquet black-fruited and layered with black olive, creosote and graphite savoury notes as well as blackberry. Very full-bodied and lush, rounded and supple in its structure with lashings of supple tannins. This bottle seems a bit quiet in the bouquet, and took a while to unfurl, but the palate is superb. It’s a more savoury and subtly complex style than Bin 60. Tremendous length and cellaring potential. (from the Eden Valley)
2008 Gibson Bin 60 Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz: 96/100, 5 Stars, Top Rank
Very deep, dense red colour with a trace of purple as well as brick-red. The bouquet echoes that concentration, with lashings of melted dark chocolate, the palate lush and fleshy, concentrated and mellowing, blackberry and subtle toasty notes from age, while the palate adds a touch of licorice. It’s teetering on the brink of jammy. A sumptuous red wine, drinking at its peak but with many years left in it. (Barossa Valley cabernet and Eden Valley shiraz)