Grange 1994 represents an excellent offering from an above average vintage. Layers of massive Shiraz fruit and expertly crafted oak manifest themselves. Forceful, ripe tannins are balanced by sheer weight of fruit. Max Schubert's experimental work in the 1950s determined that South Australian Cabernet was unreliable, he recognised that Grange should be based around a spectrum of fruit. One of the great strengths of Grange is, whilst mostly a Shiraz, it does not rely on the performance of a single vineyard. From fruit grown at the Kalimna and other Barossa vineyards, Magill Estate in Adelaide, and other superior vineyards in the Coonawarra, McLaren Vale and Clare Valley, the 1984 is balanced with a small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon 5%. Exceptional Langtons Classification. A profound and complete offer, akin to a mix of the 2002 and 2004 editions. Vintage 2006 is probably more like the 1986 and 1996 than the 1976. It's fabric is meshed with spices, cinnamon and vanillin pod, nutmeg and black pepper, tempered by teppanyaki sauces, almonds and amaretto. Firm throughout and across the palate, reverent tannins and oak convey and propel flavours of slowly roasting lamb avec jus, dark chocolates, cola and maraschino with a lift of menthol and rosemary to finish. Wine Spectator Red of the Year. History will record 1990 as one of the great Australian vintages of a generation. Grange 1990 was one of the very best to date, with the potential to rival the classic vintages of 1955, 1962 and 1971. A superbly balanced wine, and a very great Grange vintage with tremendous finesse and understated power. The 1980 Grange is predominantly Shiraz with a small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon (4%) from the Kalimna and other Barossa vineyards, the Clare Valley, Magill Estate, McLaren Vale and Coonawarra. A generally good growing season with fine and warm conditions, was followed by a cool vintage. Tastings in September 1999 confirmed that the sheer intensity, power and overall balance of 1976 Grange meant it deserved its place as one of the great vintages of the 1970s. A very hedonistic, almost decadent style of Grange, gorgeously opulent, almost Pomerol-like Grange with an over-ripe characteristic to the fruit. Cherry liqueur intermixed with cranberry and cassis presented in a seductive, full-bodied, very soft, forward style is truly not the classic Grange in the sense of having huge structure and massive concentration, but this wine is loaded, very corpulent, and fleshy. The wine is going to last for up to two decades, but it will be uncommonly succulent and delicious to drink young. |
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