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Grange 1996

Penfolds

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Tasting Notes

94% Shiraz, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon. Kalimna Vineyard (Barossa Valley), Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Magill Estate (Adelaide) blend. Lifted, lively and positively racy on the nose. Extremely sweet and rich on the palate yet still with a little youthful tarriness. Quite dusty tannins. This tastes like a new era for Grange - much more obvious ripeness.

Score: 18

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2012-2040 24 June 2009

Firm in texture, with slightly gritty tannins around a gorgeous beam of black cherry, blueberry and plum flavors. This is beautifully focused and complete on the nose, but it's a bit chewy on the palate. Built for aging. Needs some rich food to balance the tannins at this point. Gets better as it warms in the glass.--Australian reds blind retrospective. 10,228 cases made.

Score: 95

Winespectator.com, Wine Spectator 01 January 2008

This dark purple-colored wine exhibits notes of sweet plum, blackberry, and cassis intermixed with some licorice, chocolate, and espresso. It is a blend of 94% Shiraz and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon that tips the scales at 14+% alcohol. The wine is layered, unctuously textured, full-bodied with tremendous intensity, moderately high tannin, and a 40-second finish. The wine needs a good 4-5 years of cellaring. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2025. This Grange should ultimately merit a higher score when it is closer to its plateau of drinkability.

Score: 93

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2006-2025 01 February 2003

The 1996 Grange is not the blockbuster it can be in the greatest vintages. At one time, this was the most renowned wine produced in Australia. While this remains one of Australia's finest wines, it has plenty of competition. The dense ruby/purple-colored 1996 Grange exhibits aromas of sweet blackberry/cassis, tar, licorice, and spice. Medium to full-bodied, with sweet tannin, a velvety texture, and surprising elegance, it should age effortlessly for 15-20 years.

Score: 92

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2001-2021 01 June 2001

Ruby-red. Complex, high-toned, oak-driven aromas of mocha, flowers, spices, bourbon, peat, licorice, vanilla, cigar tobacco and earth. Juicy and penetrating, with strong mineral, lead pencil, espresso and tobacco flavors. Has a solid backbone and noteworthy grip, but shows no hard edges. Finishes with big, ripe tannins and excellent length.

Score: 92

Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 01 July 2001