Penfolds Grange Bin 95 Shiraz 2019, South Australia

The most powerful expression of Penfolds multi-vineyard, multi-district blending philosophy, Grange is arguably Australia’s most celebrated wine and is officially listed as a Heritage Icon of South Australia. Crafted utilizing fully ripe, intensely flavored and structured shiraz grapes, the result is a unique Australian style that is now recognized as one of the most consistent of the world’s great wines. With an unbroken line of vintages from the experimental 1951, Grange clearly demonstrates the synergy between shiraz and the soils and climates of South Australia. 2019 vintage: Shiraz (97%), Cabernet Sauvignon (3%). Vineyard region: Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Coonawarra, Clare Valley. Maturation: 19 months in American oak hogsheads (100% new). Color: Deep, dark and bright. Nose: Benchmark. Automatically recognizable – 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. Palate: Cohesion, vigor, 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.