Australia’s legend and one of its most revered wines, Penfold Grange has been amongst the world’s most celebrated wines over the past decade. This is the most powerful expression of Penfolds multi-vineyard.
Penfolds boasts an extensive collection of wines, catering to a variety of palates and budgetary preferences. Yet, the ‘pièce de résistance’ of its collection is Grange which has consistently received accolades with scores ranging between 97 and 100 on various Critics reviews.
A Glimpse into Penfolds Grange
Australia’s legend and one of its most revered wines was created by Max Schubert. After spending time in Europe to learn about their winemaking practices, he came back to Australia and made his first experimental wine in 1951. The first results were not approved, and the project shut down, however Max continued to craft his Grange vintages in secret. In 1960, Penfold decided to restart the production of Grange. International acknowledgment and awards followed, and Grange became one of the world’s most celebrated wines and continues to grow today.
Penfolds Grange is crafted from Syrah, with a hint of Cabernet Sauvignon. Its high ratings, occasionally reaching a perfect 100, can be attributed to its rich, complex and layered palate and enticing notes of dark fruits and spices with unparalleled lifted finish.
The 2018 Vintage
Near long-term winter rainfall ensured the vines reached spring with full soil moisture profiles. Elevated spring temperatures, driven by higher than usual lows, indicated an early start to the growing season. Warm and sunny weather prevailed throughout most of spring, providing optimal conditions for flowering and fruit-set. The Barossa Valley experienced a dry summer, only recording 50% of the longterm average rainfall. The region experienced 22 days of temperature greater than 35°C during summer, while to the south, McLaren Vale experienced 17 days greater than 35°C. This warm and dry pattern also prevailed in Clare Valley with only one significant rain event in early December. The hot spells slowed grape phenology, delaying harvest by a couple of weeks. Milder conditions in autumn provided optimal conditions for ripening grapes to their fullest potential. An outstanding vintage.
This is an extraordinary Grange. One of the true greats, which will only get better as it ages – 99 points, Robert Parker
A robust Grange from a lauded vintage, this wields sheer power with such compelling prowess. Uncompromising Grange. There are rich blackberries and plums on offer, together with brazen oak and abundant notes of blackcurrants, black cherries, charcoal, cola and hard brown spices. So fleshy and intense. Dark-chocolate and cocoa-powder aromas and flavors here, too. The tannins are polished and long, extruding deep into the finish and holding endlessly. Dark chocolate, black cherry, dark plum and more. Impressive. Brazen. One of the great Granges that will drink magnificently for decades to come.
100 points, James Suckling
A Promissing Time For Investment
While Grange fetches premium prices, Penfolds occasionally introduces even pricier options. For instance, in May 2014, the 2010 Bin 170 Kalimna Shiraz was priced at a staggering £34,300 for an imperial bottle.
Grange has earned a reputation for consistent quality, and with China soon easing duty & VAT on all Australian wine imports, now is a promising time for investment. The 2018 Grange is noteworthy: garnering an outstanding 99/100 from The Wine Advocate and 100 points from James Suckling this is the perfect moment to add the Iconic grange to any collection. When juxtaposed with top-tier wines from other regions, such as Lafite, Pingus, and Screaming Eagle, the 2018 Grange offers compelling value and an attractive price increase potential. The vintage was judged similar to 2008 which value has been increasing steadily since 2016.