Overview
The 1986 Penfolds Bin 95 Grange Shiraz is one of the most celebrated mature releases of Australia's most iconic red wine. Grange is the original and most powerful expression of Penfolds' multi-vineyard, multi-district blending philosophy, combining fully ripe Shiraz with a small portion of Cabernet Sauvignon to create a wine of depth, structure and extraordinary longevity.
Vintage & Winemaking
The 1986 vintage was shaped by mild, relatively dry conditions through both the growing and harvest seasons, producing fruit of outstanding quality. The blend is 87% Shiraz and 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from Barossa Valley including Kalimna Vineyard, Clare Valley, McLaren Vale and Modbury Vineyard in Adelaide. It was matured for 20 months in new American oak hogsheads.
Product Highlights
- Benchmark mature vintage of Penfolds Grange.
- 87% Shiraz and 13% Cabernet Sauvignon.
- Sourced from Barossa Valley, Clare Valley, McLaren Vale and Modbury Vineyard.
- Rated 99 points by Jeff Leve and 98 points by Decanter, Bob Campbell and Wine Spectator.
Critic Scores & Reviews
99 points - Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider
Tasted March 2011.
"Blackberry liqueur, pepper, earth, spice and leaf aromas" lead into a huge, full-bodied Grange with power, purity, intensity and an endless finish.
98 points - Decanter
Tasted June 2021.
Drinking window: 2021 to 2045.
98 points - Bob Campbell
Tasted September 2016.
98 points - Wine Spectator
Review date not provided.
97 points - Adrian van Velsen, vvWine.ch
Tasted November 2024.
Tobacco and dark fruit dominate the nose, with eucalyptus, mint, smoke and mature tannin still showing striking freshness and reserve.
97 points - Falstaff
97 points - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate
Tasted May 2012.
18.5/20 - JancisRobinson.com
Tasted October 2024.
Drinking window: 2004 to 2044.
95 points - Jeremy Oliver
Tasting Notes
Deep crimson in colour. The nose is powerful and intense, showing mocha, cedar, liquorice and smoky oak, with malty complexity. The palate is rich, extravagant and layered, with dark chocolate, dark berry fruit, herbs and dense ripe tannins. The finish is chalky, firm, long and deeply flavoured.
Food Pairing
Pair with dry-aged beef, roast lamb, venison, slow-braised short rib, game dishes or mature hard cheeses.
Cellaring Potential
This is a mature collectible bottle with several critic windows extending into the 2040s. Storage history and bottle condition are especially important for a wine of this age. Decant carefully before serving.
About Penfolds
Penfolds is one of Australia's most influential wineries, with a history dating back to 1844. Grange, first made experimentally in 1951, remains the flagship expression of the Penfolds house style and its long-standing belief in multi-vineyard, multi-regional blending.
Specifications
- Producer: Penfolds
- Wine: Bin 95 Grange Shiraz
- Vintage: 1986
- Country: Australia
- Region: South Australia
- Grape Variety: 87% Shiraz, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon
- Vineyard Sources: Barossa Valley including Kalimna Vineyard, Clare Valley, McLaren Vale and Modbury Vineyard
- Alcohol: 13.7-13.9%
- Acidity TA: 7.1 g/L
- pH: 3.41
- Maturation: 20 months in new American oak hogsheads
- Style: Red Wine
- Bottle Size: 750ml
