Penfolds Grange 2014

98 Points – Joe Czerwinski, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
98 Points – Tony Love
98 Points – Huon Hooke
20++ – Matthew Jukes
18.5 – Jancis Robinson
97 Points – Anthony Rose, Decanter
97 Points – Andrew Caillard MW
97 Points – Tyson Stelzer
97 Points James Halliday

The original and most powerful expression of Penfolds multi-vineyard, multi-district blending philosophy, Grange is arguably Australia’s most celebrated wine and is officially listed as a Heritage Icon of South Australia. Crafted utilising fully-ripe, intensely-flavoured and structured Shiraz grapes, the result is a unique Australian style that is now recognised as one of the most consistent of the world’s great wines. With an unbroken line of vintages from the experimental 1951, Grange clearly demonstrates the synergy between Shiraz and the soils and climates of South Australia.

Grange was recently recognised as a First Growth in Liv-ex’s recreation of the Bordeaux 1855 classification.

“98% shiraz, 2% cabernet sauvignon from the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Wrattonbully, Coonawarra, Clare Valley and Magill Estate, matured for 20 months in new American hogsheads. Excellent colour for age; the ultra-fragrant and expressive bouquet implacably draws you in; a great deal of work must have gone into the blending of the components and drawing them seamlessly. An aristocratic Grange with all the components in utter harmony.” – 97 Points James Halliday

“Deep, dense youthful red/purple colour. The bouquet is a riot of preserved plums, mocha, smoky toasty oak – less obvious than the Granges of yore – with hints of tar and graphite. The wine is full-bodied but it’s not a blockbuster. It’s dense and concentrated, but not overpowering. Indeed, the wine is superbly balanced and has even a touch of elegance. The tannins are certainly abundant, with a touch of traditional Grange firmness, but it’s a very easy Grange to understand and enjoy. Less likely to intimidate! (2% cabernet sauvignon)” – 98 Points Huon Hooke