Winemaker John Duval called the 1981 a big, tannic Grange. It is just that, a very powerful, inky, purple-colored wine that is still almost primary and unevolved in its surprising youthfulness. This formidably endowed, broodingly backward, thick, full-bodied, muscular wine has a boatload of chocolate-infused plum, caramel, and cassis flavors. With high tannin, huge grip, and some propensity toward austerity, this is a monster Grange that may not totally assimilate the high levels of tannin, but there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about its future" -Robert Parker Feb 2002

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. "The wine, a blend of 89% Shiraz and 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, shows some toasty oak mixed with notes of root vegetables, damp earth, blackberry liqueur, prune, and licorice, layered and rich. I would not be surprised to see the rating on this wine improve as this youthful Grange continues to evolve!" -eRobertparker.com Feb 2002

An exceptionally long-lived Grange, a beautifully focused wine, considered one of the best Granges ever produced. The most decorated of all Granges, winning 12 Trophies and 51 Gold medals over 13 years from 1962. A lighter Grange that spent only nine months in oak, the 1955 Grange was a favourite of Max Schubert’s, partly because it was the vintage that vindicated him by winning a Gold medal in the open Claret class at the 1962 Sydney Wine Show. Bottles were labelled Bin numbers 13, 14, 53, 54 and 95

A significant turning point for Penfolds Grange, bottles were labelled Bin numbers 49 and 95, and are now becoming increasingly rare. "A blend of 92% Shiraz and 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine showed a dark garnet color with moderate amber at the edge. Notes of prune, mint, coffee, caramel, molasses, and some sweet cherry and berry fruit are present in this full-bodied, intact, succulent Grange that is still fresh, with no traces of oxidation or decay. The wine is round and complex as well as delicious, with full body" -Robert Parker Feb 2002

1975 was the year Max Schubert retired from his post as Chief Winemaker, although he remained a consultant to Penfolds and kept an office at Magill Estate. He was succeeded by Don Ditter, who had worked with Penfolds as a winemaker since 1946. Penfolds 1975 Grange won two Gold and five other medals at Australian wine shows between 1976 and 1981. "A very powerful, rich, deep, muscular wine with enormous concentration, plenty of glycerin and sweetness, and remarkable freshness and vigor!" -Robert Parker Feb 2002

A very great Grange, the mild and relatively dry growing season lead to a very successful vintage. This was the final release crafted by Max Schubert's successor Don Ditter. "A current as well as future legend, this has long been considered by Penfolds winemaking team as the greatest Grange of the 1980s. The wine is fleshy, massively concentrated, multi-dimensional with extraordinary power, beautifully integrated acidity, tannin, and alcohol, that seems to only occur in the greatest vintages. This is a Grange to kill for" -eRobertParker.com Feb 2002