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

Deep plum-red colour. Brooding nose of praline, plum and blueberry. Layered succulent and stylish full oak palate. Earthy fruit flavours of plum and chocolate and very rich chunky chewy tannins. Excellent balance and length!" -Winestate.com, "A massive wine, with cascades of potent plum, cherry and blackberry fruit swirling around wafts of black pepper, bay leaf and exotic spice, which last and last on the finish, hinting at smoky, meaty notes. It's all packed in tightly, suggesting this should evolve spectacularly with age!" -Winespectator.com

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

The unique and distinctive Grange style is based on ripe Shiraz fruit and stylish American oak in fine harmony. The 1985 Grange is predominantly Shiraz with a small amount (1%) Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from the Kalimna and other superior vineyards in the Barossa, Clare Valley and Modbury (Adelaide Plains). A cool to mild growing season followed by similarly good conditions at vintage, with late rain delaying picking. An elegantly structured vintage with blackberry black olive plum flavours, and firm savoury tannins

Bottles labelled Bin numbers 71, 72 and 95. "A great Grange, and certainly the best bottle I have had out of four different tastings, this large-scaled Grange showed a huge nose of cigar box, licorice, coffee, mocha, caramel, plum, and currant, and in the mouth, fabulous concentration, plenty of glycerin, wonderful freshness, and superb delineation for a wine that is 35 years of age. A very long finish of close to 40 seconds is also impressive. Pristine bottles should continue to drink well for at least another decade" -eRobertParker.com

At first it presents as remarkably fruity, but the more you look at it the more it seems like an example of highly skilled engineering. It’s a wine of considerable and outstanding finesse, with black and red berry fruit cascading through the mouth. Great structure, and it will get even better" -Campbell Mattinson. "This mouthfilling Grange, a humongous example of a dry red wine, is nearly impossible to match with food, but these wines inevitably become more complex and civilized with ten or more years of cellaring" -Apr 1997 Robert Parker