Penfolds Grange 2004 is one of the most celebrated releases in the wine’s modern era — awarded 99 points by Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate and described by Chief Winemaker Peter Gago as “argubaly the finest vintage since Mother Nature’s endowment of a number of stellar 1990s vintages.” A blend of Shiraz (96%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (4%), with a significant contribution from the legendary Block 42, sourced from Barossa Valley (including a substantial proportion of Kalimna Vineyard), McLaren Vale, and Magill Estate (Adelaide), and matured for 16 months in 100% new American oak hogsheads. Stylistically in the mould of the great 1990 and 1996 vintages, the 2004 Grange is a perfectly symmetrical wine of extraordinary depth and longevity. Peak drinking 2028 to 2060.
Appearance
Deep crimson with exceptional concentration and intensity — a wine that continues to show remarkable depth well into its third decade.
Aroma
Enticingly fragrant and unmistakably Grange — elements of cola, bay leaf, malt, Indian spices, and nougat open the bouquet, with an ethereal oriental lift of glazed Peking Duck interspersed with fermented black Chinese tea. Attractive blackberry, boysenberry, and mulberry aromas are layered with dark chocolate, mocha, grilled nut, and a slight camphor note. Oak is entirely at one with the wine, as other aromatics unite to create a continuum of spice and fruit. Impressive.
Palate
Seamless, redefined. Classic Grange structure — tight, defined, and balanced, with ‘slatey’ sandy tannins of exceptional finesse. Saturated fruits of blackberry and concentrated Satsuma plum skin lead, with rich and ripe boysenberry and liquorice following. A darkened flavour theme of chocolate, liquorice, and fermented black Chinese tea masks any overt presence of new oak, courting a long, effortless finish. Fine dense chocolaty tannins and underlying espresso vanilla oak notes complete a palate of extraordinary symmetry. Developing lovely apricot notes. Intense and powerful versus composed and polished — an enviable counter-balance.
Pairs With
Rare roasted aged fillet with a red wine reduction. A wine of this stature deserves nothing less than the finest table.
Reviews
99 Points — Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate
“Massively concentrated, elemental and strongly structured with rich dark fruit, vanilla, cocoa and mint notes.”
— Fongyee Walker MW
“The wait for this Grange release has indeed been worthwhile — arguably the finest vintage since Mother Nature’s endowment of a number of stellar 1990s vintages. Just how good a vintage only time will tell, but all current indicators augur (very) well. Certainly stylistically in the mould of the wonderful 1990 & 1996 vintages.”
— Peter Gago, Penfolds Chief Winemaker
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