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. "Spectacular; enormous density of fruit with plenty of chocolate and dried fruits; almost port-like. Tannins are velvety and thick; so youthful, so monumental, so massively concentrated; amazing!" -Andrea Immer. "Consistently one of the most awesome wines ever made at Grange, It had a phenomenal showing at Penfolds' Magill estate. A legend for sure! " -Robert Parker Feb 2002 Penfolds remarkable winemaking philosophy ensures each vintage of Penfolds Grange has its own vintage character, which continually evolves and surprises. The 2002 is at the other end of the Grange spectral offer to its previous vintage, purely as a result of two very different climatic vintages.100% new oak is completely absorbed, meshed with ripe tannins, completing a palate of impressive length and youthfulness. "The palate is expansive, and yet finessed, balanced, highly defined, sleek. A complete wine, this has been worth the wait!" -Penfolds Chief Winemaker Peter Gago Considered an undistinguished vintage, it won a trophy, five Gold, four Silver and six Bronze medals between 1974 and 1982. "A good wine from an undistinguished vintage, it certainly was outstanding in June in Adelaide, showing a terrific nose of blackberry jam intermixed with sweet earth, plum, brown sugar, and tobacco. Full-bodied, deep, rich, and fully mature, this layered, concentrated, very fresh wine even exhibited some espresso-infused chocolate in the finish. It should drink well for another 5-7 years" -Robert Parker Feb 2002 Penfolds 1956 Grange is extremely rare - a curio and valuable collector’s item. Well cellared bottles may show fully developed fruit and lacy tannins but most are past their best. A lighter Grange which spent less time (about nine months) in oak and was bottled early. Bottles labelled Bin numbers 14 and 53. The 1956 included a small amount (4 per cent) of Cabernet Sauvignon. From humble beginnings in the 1950s, Grange has maintained it's place as Australia's most prestigious red wine, and one of history's most unique A good portion of Cabernet Sauvignon for this year, weighing in at 13%. 1971 created a sensation when it won gold and topped its class at the Gault-Millau Wine Olympiad in Paris in 1979, beating the best Rhone Valley wines. It also won a trophy, four gold, four silver and five bronze medals at Australian wine shows between 1971 and 1982. "If you had to point to a wine which fulfilled all the ambitions of Grange, it would have to be 1971" said Max Schubert in 1993, "A great wine from a vintage that was great throughout South Australia!" 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 |
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