In Bond Fine Wine. 2003 Penfolds Grange, South Australia, Australia. Red australia - red in 6x75cl. Top critic score: 94/100 (WI). Drinking window: 2008–2030. Sold in bond by Albany Vintners, independent fine wine merchants.
Founded in 1844, Penfolds is one of Australia’s most historic and internationally recognised wine estates, renowned for producing powerful yet long-lived wines sourced from some of the country’s finest vineyards. The estate’s flagship Grange, first created by legendary winemaker Max Schubert in the 1950s, has become one of the world’s most collectible wines and a defining icon of Australian fine wine. Predominantly Shiraz, often with a small portion of Cabernet Sauvignon, Grange is matured in American oak and combines extraordinary concentration with remarkable balance and longevity.
Jay Miller (JM) — 92/100 · Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com, 28/02/2009 · Drink 2014-2030
Penfolds- iconic 2003 Grange is Shiraz blended with 3.5% Cabernet Sauvignon from Coonawarra. It was aged for 15 months in 100% new American oak. Opaque purple-colored, it offers up aromas of cedar, cigar box, leather, Asian spices, and blueberry. On the palate it is layered but a bit short on depth and grip with only moderate length. It will evolve for 5-7 years and drink well from 2014 to 2030.…
Josh Raynolds (JR) — 93/100 · Vinous, 2008-09-01
Inky purple. Seductively perfumed nose offers cassis, blueberry, cherry-cola, violet and dried fig scents, with a suave undercurrent of smoky minerals. Deep, finely etched cherry and dark berry flavors are complicated by mocha and candied licorice, becoming riper with air. Cured meat and black cardamom notes arrive with air, adding further interest. Full, fleshy and sweet on the impressively long…
Winespectator.com (WIN) — 94/100 · Wine Spectator, 15/10/2008 · Drink 2008-2020
Supple, ripe and generous with its blueberry, plum and mocha flavors, riding easily over finely wrought tannins and extending into the long, expressive finish. Rich, complex and evocative, this has plenty of flavor packed into a beautifully balanced package. Drink now through 2020.