Grape
Shiraz
Ratings
*Penfolds – Icon & Luxury Range
Exceptional – by Langton’s Classification Australian Wine
Robert Parker 98+
Jeremy Oliver 95
James Halliday 97
Wine Spectator 93
Tasting Notes
Colour : Deep, dark and dense, retaining bright purple
hues.
Nose : The nose is immediately Grange, revealing barrel
ferment complexities soaked in dark berried
fruits. Vibrant, youthful and lifted, a mix of
tightly packed liquorice, freshly tanned leather
and dark spices create a poised, controlled and
distinctive wine.
Palate : A rich, full-flavoured and concentrated wine with
complex rum/raisin dark chocolate, liquorice,
quince paste and dried fruit notes. Prominent,
well integrated tannins align with oak (all but
soaked up by the fruits) to create a lingering
continuum of flavour.
-by Official Website
It is always a treat to taste Australia?ˉs most famous wine, Penfolds?ˉ
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+.
-by Robert Parker
A very fragrant, richly structured and flavoursome Grange whose deep,
heady and smoky aromas of blackberry confiture, dark chocolate, violets
and treacle reveal faint undertones of bitumen. Richly ripened and
sumptuous, it gradually reveals its layers of deep, dark plums,
cranberries and blackberries, steadily building in structure and
intensity down the palate. Supported by drying, powdery tannins and
first-rate oak, it?ˉs a surprisingly good wine from a tough vintage, with
just a hint of stewed fruit, and finishing with a lingering core of
licorice-like flavour. (Barossa Valley, $450 retail, approx., 18.7/95),
drink 2021-2031.
-by Jeremy Oliver
It is extraordinary how this wine has gained power, weight and
complexity since first bottled; now majestic black fruits, licorice and
chocolate/mocha notes run through the palate. Great tannins sustain and
support the back palate and finish. Please move to screwcaps; this wine
would live forever.
-by James Halliday
Deep, rich and concentrated, this one has a gamy note that sneaks
through the rich blackberry, plum and licorice flavors, hinting at
coffee, dark chocolate and spice as the finish lingers beautifully.
Grippy tannins keep it from taking off. Not as harmonious and complete
as other vintages, but it’s a solid Grange. Best after 2009. 2,000 cases
imported.