Bin 36 - First Wine Release
Bin 36, an acclaimed Chicago Restaurant, Wine Bar, and Market, has done what a lot of Restaurants do: offer a wine with their name on it that is produced by an established winery (in this case Hahn Estates from the Central Coast of California). It’s good marketing, and importantly, a good way to control the quality and pricing of some of the wines on the list.
But are these wines any good? I was sent the latest release line up so let’s find out.
2009 Bin 36 Sauvignon Blanc – Dry Creek Valley, CA
ABV: 13.9%
Price: $16
Notes: The nose isn’t quite all there for me but perhaps it will open up with a little air. The palate offers bright and crisp flavors of green apple and lemon peel. Good acid with a fresh citrus finish.
Score: 86pts (B)
2007 Bin 36 Pinot Noir – Monterey, CA
ABV: 14.5%
Price: $26
Notes: This Pinot is beautiful in color and offers earthy aromas like mushroom, mineral, and a touch of cherry. Well balanced on the tongue with a light to medium bodied weight. A nice clean finish.
Score: 88pts (B+)
2006 Bin 36 Zinfandel – California
ABV: 14.2%
Price: $16
Notes: This is a very nice all around wine with good blackberry and blueberry aromas with a touch of tar that lead into a medium bodied mouth feel with a very nice finish. Food friendly and well done.
Score: 90pts (A-)
2007 Bin 36 Cabernet Sauvignon – California
ABV: 14.5%
Price: $16
Notes: This is a nice well rounded cab with a nose that is full of fresh summer berries, plum, and a touch of mint. Leads into a nice taste on the palate that is full bodied with chewy tannins on the finish.
Score: 88pts (B+)
All these wines are well made and show the fine reputation that Hahn has made for itself over the years. I like the label design, it’s got some character. Try a bottle and let me know what you think.
Full disclosure: These wines were sent to me as press samples for review.
Thank you for posting your reviews of the BIN36 wines and for your positive comments.
As an employee of Hahn Family Wines and associate of our friends at BIN36 I feel it appropriate to note what sets these BIN36 wines apart from other many other house brand wines is Brian Duncan’s level of involvement in their production.
Brian is a very serious student of wine and has a very distinct philosophy on how food and wine complement one another. So Brian crafts the blends for each of these wines with our winemaking team to create wines that he believes are ideal expressions of the varietal. In fact Brian can be found sampling from the barrels as they evolve to ensure the final blend is right.
To learn more about Brian and his thoughts on wine you can go here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECI1GgTkUIE
Best,
Philip
Hi Philip,
Thanks so much for your comments. Certainly the involvement of Brian has led to a great partnership and product. These are definitely food friendly wines and should be a great addition to the restaurants menu. I sampled the Cabernet again last night and it had developed even more since first opening a few days ago. Again, very nicely done.
-Jathan