No 1: Just Below Base of Neck, Minor Label Stain/s
No 2: Base of Neck, Minor Label Stain/s
The 1976 Penfolds Grange is a rare and historic release from one of Australia’s most iconic wines, offering a compelling insight into the evolution of mature Australian Shiraz. Produced by Penfolds, Grange represents the pinnacle of the estate’s winemaking, renowned for its power, structure, and extraordinary longevity.
The 1976 vintage is considered a more restrained and classical year, producing wines of structure and finesse rather than overt richness. Sourced from premium South Australian vineyards, primarily in the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale, the wine was crafted in the traditional Grange style and matured in American oak hogsheads, contributing to its hallmark depth and ageing capacity.
After nearly five decades in bottle, the wine is fully mature and highly dependent on provenance and storage conditions. Well-preserved examples may still show a complex and tertiary-driven bouquet of dried blackberry, plum, and fig, layered with notes of leather, tobacco, cedar, spice, earth, and subtle smoky oak. Hints of mocha, game, and savoury nuance can add further depth.
On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied with resolved tannins and softened fruit, offering a savoury, evolved profile. While the power of youth has faded, the wine may still retain structure and length, delivering a gentle yet expressive finish that reflects its pedigree and careful cellaring.
This is a bottle to be approached with care and realistic expectations. Gentle handling, minimal aeration, and careful decanting are essential to preserve its fragile maturity. Best enjoyed now, as further ageing is unlikely to improve the wine.
A true collector’s piece and a rare opportunity to experience a mature Penfolds Grange from a classic era of Australian winemaking.
