2001 Penfolds, Grange, South Australia 1x75cl

Wine Advocate 98

It is always a treat to taste Australia’s most famous wine, Penfolds’ Grange cuvee (the word Hermitage has been dropped because of legal issues). The 2001 Grange is one of the few vintages of this cuvee to be composed of 100% Shiraz (the others being 1951, 1952, 1963, 1999, and 2000). Aged 17 months in 100% American oak, and tipping the scales at 14.5% alcohol, the 2001 is undeniably one of the top examples of this wine. At this stage, it appears to eclipse the 1998 and 1996. Inky/blue/purple to the rim, with a stunning perfume of blueberries, blackberries, chocolate, graphite, and earth, it boasts good acidity, huge tannins, magnificent concentration, and a multilayered, textured mouthfeel. It is a big, but impeccably well-balanced Shiraz that should shed some of its structure and tannin over the next 4-5 years, and be at its best between 2010-2030+. Importer: Southcorp, PWG Vintners, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 258-8755 [Robert M. Parker, Jr., 31/10/2006]

Anticipated maturity: 2010-2030

JancisRobinson.com 17.5

Bottle 1: Blackish garnet. A bit volatile! Sweet and a tad porty. Not the most refined. Dusty, dry, sweet finish.Bottle 2: Sweeter and rounder, without the volatile-acidity element but it s a bit dry on the end still. (JR) [04/10/2024]

Anticipated maturity: 2019-2042