Jay Kline

9.5

I have dreamed of the 1981 Grange for many, many years. Why? Well, it’s quite simple: I’m an ‘81 baby and that year doesn’t have the strongest reputation for producing great wines. Spain and Italy faired better and of course, there were always exceptions. However, most have long been drank or forgotten as it was a tough year in many of the classic wine growing regions. All of that being said, Australia didn’t suffer the same conditions and Penfold’s managed to make a very good expression of Grange in 1981…if only one could find it and then of course, afford it. But, sometimes you just have to put it out into the universe and she answers. Tonight, a dear brother in wine who also happens to share 1981 as a birth year, provided this bottle from his cellar to share. And while my 45th remains a couple months off, we were celebrating life and friendship tonight!

Opened prior to dinner and enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 1981 pours a deep purple color moving towards a garnet rim and a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and desiccated tart black, red and blue fruits and rotundone: blackberries, raspberries, plum, tobacco, purple flowers, black olive, cocoa, coffee, eucalyptus, leather, toasted coconut, earth and baking spices. On the palate the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is looooong. What a stellar showing and this bottle certainly lived up to hype. Drink now through 2041+. — 10 days ago

Diane M. Napolitano

9.8

From Thirst Wine Merchants. Berry juice, milk chocolate. — 3 months ago

Jan de Weerd

9.8

The times I helt a bottle like this in my hands, I can probably count on only one hand. Even for Delectable this is a rare occasion because it didn’t know how to correctly recognize it. When a wine connects like this, lifts you off the ground and takes you to a beautiful place, you know it is good. Intense, but perfectly balanced, so many instruments playing that still echo for minutes in a lingering finish. 26 years old yet so vibrant and wild with dark punchy fruits encapsulated by aged mahogany wood that released different flavors every time I took a sip… yeah… life is good. Offered by a friend who loves wine and even more loves to share! — 4 months ago

with Skip and Tammy

Ben Lehman

9.2

Always a favorite. This definitely needed air or a decant. Slightly broader than some previous vintages, but once that minerality started to reveal itself, it was party time — 13 days ago

Elizabeth

9.1

5’00 steak house. Classic Bordeaux in the best way — 2 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Referred to as the “Baby Grange,” blend of 53/47 Cab Sauv & Shiraz, aged for 12 months in American oak, partly in previous-vintage Grange casks. Dark Ruby with aromas of fresh black fruits, complex with sweet spice. On the palate flavors of juicy black cherry and blackberry flavors with notes of cacao, oak and toasty spices, from cooler vintage. Well balanced with acidity, full ripe tannins, long ending with smoky spice, fruit well integrated with oak, drink over next 10 years+, will only get better. Nice! — 3 months ago

Ray Vanderhoff

8.9

Southern blend of Grenache (55%) and Syrah (45%). Dark ruby/purple color. Aromas of red and dark berry fruit, smoked fresh herbs and forest floor. Flavors of red and black cherries and plums, mocha, black licorice, vanilla and iron. Long and very earthy finish with a bit of black pepper. Full bodied and reasonably well balanced. Very dry with well integrated tannins. Solid value. — 5 months ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.4

La paulee mex daniel eric magnum — 2 months ago

Heather Rostker

9.5

Phenomenal with our lamb. So smooth and silky. — 2 months ago

with Emmett and Brian

Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7

9.8

Another bottle off my bucket list.
First time tasting a Grange so nothing to compare it to, no idea how it compares to another vintage but it was definitely unique. I can’t think of anything I could compare it to. I didn’t want to lose the flavors by having food with it, just enjoyed through out the day and seeing how it developed. My rating might be high since I’m a rookie Granger. Latest review from Decanter

99
Decanter
Review Date: 02/2025
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Mint, cream and distant woodsmoke on a cold day combine on this supremely fragrant, intense and pure nose. Ripe, dark fruit has flushed completely with that cool sense of mint and the creaminess of American oak, just as the tannins have fused completely, presenting a serene, elegant flow that creates a gorgeous aromatic unity. This comes with magnetic, gravitational pull that draws you in; close your eyes and you are in Australia. A wine of immense finesse and elegance, of immense youthfulness and expression at 35 years of age. Wow! (AK)

@Bob McDonald @Somm David T @Ron R — 3 months ago