Accolades & Reviews
20/20 – Richard Hemming MW
“Delivers absolutely everything you want from Grange: knee-weakeningly gorgeous fruit, perfectly integrated oak, and endless length.”
98 Points – Falstaff (Aug 2021)
“Only the 7th Grange ever made with 100% Shiraz. Dark chocolate coats ripe blueberry, vanilla hovers above, as does a sense of smoke and darkest berry – and then the chocolate appears again alongside nutmeg. The palate then dives into generous, ripe, juicy fruit before bold, tight, muscular, flexed, fine tannins take a hold and assert themselves relentlessly. There is so much personality here. Leave for a decade at least and drink until 2060.”
97 Points – Gismondi on Wine (Sep 2021)
“The latest iteration cements the belief that winemaker Peter Gago has firmly grasped the baton. Fragrant, spicy, savoury blueberry and plummy fruit that lingers forever. Fine-grained tannin under smoked meat, blackberry, and chocolate. The finish goes on for an eternity.”
98 Points – Wine Spectator (Nov 2021)
Drinking Window: 2023–2040
96 Points – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate (Jul 2021)
Drinking Window: 2023–2040
18.5/20 – Jancis Robinson (Oct 2024)
Drinking Window: 2030–2053
98 Points – Tony Love
“A more aromatic and immediately accessible Grange, complex and refined. One of the most drinkable releases in recent memory.”
98 Points – MaryAnn Worobiec (Wine Spectator)
“Memorable, complex, aromatic and explosively deep, with dark chocolate, espresso, hazelnut butter and wild blackberry. Dense but polished tannins and an epic finish.”
Producer Notes
The most powerful expression of Penfolds’ multi-vineyard, multi-district blending philosophy. Crafted from fully ripe, intensely flavoured and structured Shiraz grapes, the result is a unique Australian style now recognised as one of the world’s great wines.
Colour: Dense and deep, bright and lively crimson-red.
Nose: Savoury aromas of venison carpaccio, balsamic, olive oil, and uncured pastrami, with hints of rice pudding, apricot, vanillin pod, and sandalwood.
Palate: Layers of red and black liquorice, soy, malt, and burnt vanilla marshmallow. Dark chocolate wrapped in satiny texture; creamy mouthfeel and fine, rusty tannins. Vibrant acidity, persistent length, and Barossa ferrous dustiness.
— Last tasted March 2021
Vintage Notes (2017)
South Australia’s regions experienced a cool, wet winter and spring, providing ample soil moisture and delaying harvest.
No heatwaves were recorded, and mild conditions in March produced grapes with deep colour, freshness, and strong varietal character.
Harvest commenced mid-March, roughly a month later than 2016.
Specifications
Variety: 100% Shiraz
Region: Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale
Maturation: 18 months in 100% new American oak hogsheads
Alcohol: 14.5%
Acidity: 7.0 g/L
pH: 3.61
Peak Drinking: 2027–2060
Last Tasted: March 2021
Closure: Cork
