Penfolds Grange 2019 vintage is immediately recognisable, a benchmark. Formic and glacial higher notes – not quite as audacious as a fleeting perception of heady spirit (á la Cognac), and yet not just simple V.A. Beneath, a more familial oaked nuttiness (hazelnut?) recedes to reveal aromas of black liquorice/anise/black olive.
A shroud of condensed glazed fruits surrenders to reveal a fresher disposition ... a coulis of berries and stone fruits; boiled beetroot. Unsurprisingly wafts of coffee-grind, pan-scrapings/jus also ascend, hovering over a persistent base of cold lamb fat and marrow. Upon sitting, a sprinkle of lavender and exotic spices almost completes the aromatic package – well, at least for another minute or two. And then ... Early days.
A palate of cohesion, vigour, sheen, poise – four borders of a frame that structurally binds the lofty palate ambitions of this South Australian blend.Fresh and balanced. Neither exaggerated nor over-ripe – lively blueberry and other youthful blue/black fruits bely the maturation timeline of this alluring blend.
Certainly befitting this style, unmistakable barrel-ferment characters are undoubtedly more pronounced on palate than nose. If the mid-palate is somewhat formidable (ably supporting a thick/dense core), by contrast the back-palate is creamy and caressingly endearing.
Indeed, expansive and full – washing away all ahead of it. Certainly persistent. Texturally, chewy/grainy tannins and just-right acidity abet succulence and mouthfeel.
Effortlessly handles 19 months in 100% new oak.
"Superbly balanced wine with plentiful dark chocolate, blackberry fruits, fine graphite firm tannins, lovely mid plate richness and well-balanced mocha, espresso oak notes. Finishes chocolaty firm and long. Elemental, expressive and expansive with lovely fruit complexity oak integration, density and torque. A brilliant follow up to the 2018 vintage. Drink 2028 – 2060. 98+ points."
98+ Points - Andrew Caillard MW
"All the layers of dark chocolate, liquorice and dark fruit cake that we love of Grange are here in bountiful exuberance, filling a palate with a sense of perfect polish and full completeness from start to long finish. For all of its structural confidence, there is an intricately crafted, fine-grained seamlessness to the tannins that carries a tail of uninterrupted drive and carry. This is a brilliant Grange which makes a tremendous declaration of the power of blending in carefully singling out the very finest sites to produce a wine of incredible poise and purity even in a season as hot and dry as this."
98 Points - Tyson Stelzer
"Very dark purple. Heady and concentrated but too young to be very expressive. Massive! So concentrated it’s almost bursting at the seams of its attempt at a corset. There’s a certain framework that’s desperately trying to contain that exuberant fruit. It’s a marvel that they manage to make the selection but this is pretty impressive and exciting. Drink 2028 – 2050. 14.5% alc"
19/20 Points - Jancis Robinson
98+ Points - Colin Hay
98 Points - Ken Gargett
98 Points - Jeni Port
