Penfolds
Grange South Australia Shiraz
South Australia, Australia
Opened and double decanted several hours prior to service; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 1997 Grange pours a deep purple color with an opaque core moving towards a ruby rim; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and tart black, red and some blue fruits: blackberries, raspberries, Fig Newtons, tobacco, purple flowers, cocoa, coffee, some mint and other green herbs as well as 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 so long and there is remarkable density. I would say this is entering its early drinking window, but just barely. I find these wines need decades to shed their fat and really start to strut. Regardless, this is delicious now with a healthy decant and should drink well through 2057 without breaking a sweat.
Opened and double decanted several hours prior to service; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 1997 Grange pours a deep purple color with an opaque core moving towards a ruby rim; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and tart black, red and some blue fruits: blackberries, raspberries, Fig Newtons, tobacco, purple flowers, cocoa, coffee, some mint and other green herbs as well as 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 so long and there is remarkable density. I would say this is entering its early drinking window, but just barely. I find these wines need decades to shed their fat and really start to strut. Regardless, this is delicious now with a healthy decant and should drink well through 2057 without breaking a sweat.
Jan 19th, 2025About as big of a personality as one could imagine and yet, Grange remains true to itself. The 2001 is still quite youthful; imbued with enormous power. Concentrated, ripe blue and black fruits with some mushrooms, earth, purple flowers, black pepper and delicious baked goods. It’s great now but could use another decade+ to fully mature and from there, who knows? 2051 seems easily attainable.
About as big of a personality as one could imagine and yet, Grange remains true to itself. The 2001 is still quite youthful; imbued with enormous power. Concentrated, ripe blue and black fruits with some mushrooms, earth, purple flowers, black pepper and delicious baked goods. It’s great now but could use another decade+ to fully mature and from there, who knows? 2051 seems easily attainable.
Sep 18th, 2024
#AgedWineTuesday
Dark ruby in color with a short reddish/ brick rim.
Nose of black currants, blueberries, black cherries, light earth, tobacco leaf, cedar, light vanilla, licorice, eucalyptus, forest floor, mildew, black pepper and herbs.
Medium plus in body with medium acidity.
Dry on the palate with blackberries, black currants, plums, cooked cherries, spices, oak, chocolates, vanilla, licorice, herbs, earth, light vegetables, tobacco leaf, eucalyptus, Indian spices and peppercorn.
Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.
This 24 year old iconic wine from Australia is still drinking beautifully. Tasty and smooth with good structure and great complexity. A little bitter on the ending for me, though.
Feels like a 30 year old Left Bank Bordeaux. Might be a bit past its prime, but Interesting stuff nonetheless.
Robert Parker 93 points.
Needed 3 hours of airtime to open up properly.
It is delicious, but I expected more from it. Might just be this specific bottle. I've had a few different vintages of this great wine and it is always an experience.
Good by itself or with food, like a nice piece of steak.
100% Shiraz grapes from Barossa Valley were aged in American oak barrels for 18 months.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
94 points.
$400.
#AgedWineTuesday
Dark ruby in color with a short reddish/ brick rim.
Nose of black currants, blueberries, black cherries, light earth, tobacco leaf, cedar, light vanilla, licorice, eucalyptus, forest floor, mildew, black pepper and herbs.
Medium plus in body with medium acidity.
Dry on the palate with blackberries, black currants, plums, cooked cherries, spices, oak, chocolates, vanilla, licorice, herbs, earth, light vegetables, tobacco leaf, eucalyptus, Indian spices and peppercorn.
Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.
This 24 year old iconic wine from Australia is still drinking beautifully. Tasty and smooth with good structure and great complexity. A little bitter on the ending for me, though.
Feels like a 30 year old Left Bank Bordeaux. Might be a bit past its prime, but Interesting stuff nonetheless.
Robert Parker 93 points.
Needed 3 hours of airtime to open up properly.
It is delicious, but I expected more from it. Might just be this specific bottle. I've had a few different vintages of this great wine and it is always an experience.
Good by itself or with food, like a nice piece of steak.
100% Shiraz grapes from Barossa Valley were aged in American oak barrels for 18 months.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
94 points.
$400.
Poured into a decanter about 45min prior to dinner. In the glass, the 2002 Grange pours a deep ruby color with a near opaque core. Medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous, with powerful dark brambles, baked blueberries, black pepper, coffee, purple flowers, leather, umami, tilled earth, Flintstones vitamins and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is extraordinarily long and rich. A remarkable wine and I can see why people say that Grange needs forever to calm down. Drink now with some patience as it really started to tell more after some air and it should be awesome through 2037. An awesome pairing with a Morgan Ranch Wagyu Tomahawk. My very first Grange and, hopefully, not my last!
Poured into a decanter about 45min prior to dinner. In the glass, the 2002 Grange pours a deep ruby color with a near opaque core. Medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous, with powerful dark brambles, baked blueberries, black pepper, coffee, purple flowers, leather, umami, tilled earth, Flintstones vitamins and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is extraordinarily long and rich. A remarkable wine and I can see why people say that Grange needs forever to calm down. Drink now with some patience as it really started to tell more after some air and it should be awesome through 2037. An awesome pairing with a Morgan Ranch Wagyu Tomahawk. My very first Grange and, hopefully, not my last!
Mar 8th, 2024
Lovely fruit. Sappy and still vital. Great
Lovely fruit. Sappy and still vital. Great
Apr 12th, 2023Supple fruit a hint of oak. Lovely persistence. Very pure
Supple fruit a hint of oak. Lovely persistence. Very pure
Apr 12th, 2023Stinky dark plum and sour black cherry. Gorgeous feral savory fruit. A touch of wild but super velvet and plush. Noticeable oak but seamless and lush. Really good stuff.
Stinky dark plum and sour black cherry. Gorgeous feral savory fruit. A touch of wild but super velvet and plush. Noticeable oak but seamless and lush. Really good stuff.
Mar 24th, 2023
A massive, deep, powerful and structured masterpiece of a Grange. Youthful, yet also rocking tonight with explosive and layered aromatics of créme de cassis, warm cherry pie, eucalyptus and Christmas spices. They waft from the glass. The palate is rich and intense but also shows such finesse in its delivery, along with a silky smooth texture, ripe tannins and ridiculous length. Differing from my usual wines of choice, but Grange is indeed a special wine. ✨
A massive, deep, powerful and structured masterpiece of a Grange. Youthful, yet also rocking tonight with explosive and layered aromatics of créme de cassis, warm cherry pie, eucalyptus and Christmas spices. They waft from the glass. The palate is rich and intense but also shows such finesse in its delivery, along with a silky smooth texture, ripe tannins and ridiculous length. Differing from my usual wines of choice, but Grange is indeed a special wine. ✨
Jan 7th, 2023
Decanted 2 hours ahead and could have used more. 30+ years old and still super fresh. Really opened up by the second glass. Fruity, smoky, and lush. Well, that was my only bottle but happy to have enjoyed it.
Decanted 2 hours ahead and could have used more. 30+ years old and still super fresh. Really opened up by the second glass. Fruity, smoky, and lush. Well, that was my only bottle but happy to have enjoyed it.
Dec 25th, 2021