96 Point Rated - Ken Gargett
"Always a favourite and what is especially exciting is that, for me, this is the finest 138 yet made. Grenache (50%), Shiraz (44%) and Mataro (6%), it is entirely sourced from the Barossa Valley. A year maturing in a mix of French (10% new) and American (2% new) oak. The colour is a vibrant deep purple and there is an utterly gorgeous nose with depth and early complexity. Blackcurrants, black cherries, warm earth, mocha, new leather, violets and spices, this is taut, balanced, seamless and seductive. Arabica coffee bean notes emerge on the palate, along with a hint of a bitter almond character on the finish. Exemplary structure, very fine tannins and great length, this is a brilliant wine with fifteen to twenty years ahead. It may go even higher. A great 138."

95 Point Rated - Tyson Stelzer
"50% Grenache, 44% Shiraz, 6% Mataro; matured 12 months in 10% new French and 2% new American oak barrels. Penfolds blends Bin 138 just before bottling rather than maturing in barrel ‘as grenache can either rise of fall in barrel!’The cool 2021 season has set off Barossa grenache with delightful fragrance and exciting, vibrant acid drive, wonderfully enlarged with the depth, structure and black fruit presence of shiraz and mataro. Dark chocolate oak provides well-executed support, setting off a frame of firm, fine-grained tannins for the long-haul. One of the greatest Bin 138s yet."

95 Point - Rated Ray Jordan
"In good years this wonderful blend from the Barossa excels. This was a very good Barossa vintage, and it contributes to a bright, high energy wine bursting with vibrant red fruit dominated characters. A classic combination and consistently one of the best value wines in the Penfolds portfolio. Has so much happening from the first intake on the nose. Red berry, spices and cracked black pepper with a trace of balsamic. The palate is smooth and seamless integrated with a fine but firm thread of tannin."

94 Point Rated - Dave Brookes Halliday Wine Companion
"A Barossa Valley blend of 50/44/6% Grenache/Shiraz/Mataro aged in French (10% new) and American (2% new) oak for 12 months. Purple splashed crimson in the glass and quite perfumed on the nose with notes of dark plum and berry fruits, pressed flowers, cola, souk-like spice, black tea and earth. It sports a savoury palate shape with characteristically plush fruit depth, tight, compact tannins and a medium-length finish packed with ripe plums and spices."

93 Point Rated - Ned Goodwin MW
"A more compact and taut GSM than I recall in past years. Mid-weighted of feel despite the extract and alcohol, righteous for the blend at hand Christmas cake spice, damson and picked cherry. A slither of spicy freshness doused in clove, Asian five-spice, cardamon and white pepper, with a medicinal lilt of Chinotto rounding out the easy going finish. This is really rather delicious. Drink or hold."

93 Point Rated - Campbell Mattinson The Wine Front
"Shiraz, Grenache, Mataro blend from the Barossa Valley. Mostly old oak, mostly French, with a smidgen of new and a smidgen of American.It’s always a favourite, and it’s pretty much always in good form. Sweet raspberries mid palate with leather, earth and herb notes drifting through. Uncomplicated and lovely. Juicy. Now or later. Hints of earthen savouriness but really this is about ripe berried fruit, pure and delicious."

92 Point Rated - Huon Hooke The Real Review
Deep, bright, youthful red-purple colour; deep-set spices and dark fruits to sniff, traces of licorice, and ironstone. Palate is softer and fleshier than anticipated, with plenty of tannins but they’re soft and fluffy tannins. Bitter black strap liquorice comes on strong on the finish. (50% grenache, 44% shiraz, 6% mataro)