Region: Barossa, McLaren Vale, Coonawarra
Variety: Shiraz, Cabernet
Cellar: 36 years (2016-2054)
Alcohol: 14.3%
Ratings
*Penfolds – Icon & Luxury Range
Exceptional – by Langton’s Classification Australian Wine
Robert Parker 97
Jeremy Oliver 95
James Halliday 96
Wine Spectator 97
Tasting Notes
Colour : Deep, dark garnet.
Nose : At once Grange – a tightly wrapped projection
from the glass of dark-berried Barossa fruits
coupled with a myriad of barrel ferment
complexities. Thereafter, a burst of honey-cured
jamon / pancetta aromatically thrust above, with
a rich mix of generously basted roasted meats,
peat & nutmeg anchored beneath.
Upon sitting / air these characters descend,
revealing beguiling elements of freshly turned
volcanic earth and an innocent suggestion of oldgrowth
forest floor underlay.
Palate : The flavour pool primarily highlights Satsuma
plum conserve alongside rhubarb / aniseed /
fennel, with liqueur chocolate shyly awaiting
mid-palate. Oak absorbed and hidden, not so the
muscular tannins, power / extract. Nevertheless
balanced, firm, polished.
The first sip welcomes, the second sip asserts, the
third… submission!
-by Official Website
Containing just a dollop of 4.1% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2005 Grange is
about 85%+ Barossa fruit with the remaining proportions coming from
McLaren vale and Coonawarra. It was aged for 18 months in 100% new
American oak hogsheads. The nose begins a bit animal with some smoked
game, mincemeat and bacon notes emerging over the freshly crushed,
sun-warmed blackberries, black currant cordial, earth, black truffles,
anise and allspice. Rich and full with very firm very fine tannins and
very crisp acid, it gives a long finish layered with coffee, mincemeat
and toast. Drink it 2013 to 2025+. .
-by Robert Parker
Protocol prevented me retasting this wine prior to its release date of 1
May ’10, notwithstanding that no one will have read these words prior
to the release of this book in late July ’10. So this is my tasting note
from the Rewards of Patience Tasting held in Sept ’07. Colour little
different to the ’04; tighter, more compact than the ’04, yet the fruit
line is glossy and smooth, the tannins (and acidity) acting as the brake
and giving tightness. These are a different pair, and it will be
fascinating to watch their development.
-by James Halliday
Supple, refined and focused, this is generous with its ripe currant,
blackberry jam and fresh cherry flavors playing against grace notes of
coffee, tar, white pepper and molasses. The finish keeps hovering and
gets richer with each sip. Lip-smackingly good. Best after 2014. 2,000
cases imported.
-by Wine Spectator