2007 Penfolds, Grange, South Australia

Officially listed as a Heritage icon, Grange is Australia's most heralded wine, boasting an unbroken line of vintages back to 1951. A blend of fruit from multiple vineyards and districts – often including a splash of Cabernet in the blend – the 2007 was sourced from Barossa, McLaren Vale and the Magill Estate in Adelaide, with 3% Cab, aged in new US hogsheads for 21 months. Layered aromatics offer notes of liquorice, kirsch, coffee and dark chocolate with umami understones. Showing nice evolution, the palate is big but balanced; complex but coercive, commanding you to linger over the lush black fruit and unfurling tertiary layers, supported by beautifully integrated tannins.

Opaque ruby. A heady, intensely perfumed bouquet evokes cherry compote, cassis, violet, pipe tobacco and smoky, vanillin oak. Deeply pitched dark fruit flavors show liqueur-like power, with floral pastille, licorice and spicecake nuances building in the glass. Tannins come up with air but are quickly absorbed by this wine's lush fruit. Smoky and sweet on the finish, which lingers with outstanding persistence.

The 2007 Penfolds Grange is comprised of 97% Shiraz and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon coming predominately from Barossa vineyards with smaller proportions from Magill Estate and McLaren Vale. It was matured for 21 months in 100% new American oak hogsheads. Very deep garnet-purple in color, the nose is intensely scented of vibrant blueberry preserve, mulberry and kirsch aromas over hints of cedar, mocha, vanilla and anise. The full bodied palate is richly fruited with pure black berry and baking spice flavors offset by crisp acidity and a firm level of velvety tannins, finishing long. This is quite an opulent, forward Grange, which is very tempting to drink now, though of course will reward at least 5-10 years of cellaring and should keep to 2030+.
-Lisa Perrotti-Brown, In Asia May 2012

95% Barossa Valley.  Bottle sourced from within the UK. Not a superstar but very well balanced and contained. A little cool – inky and medicinal but true to its origins. Cuts off a little on the finish, but it’s long! (JR)