2016 Penfolds Grange Bin 95

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Ruby. Served blind. Blackberries, nuanced, scented, dark fruits, rich nose, intense. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, liquorice, rich, fruit driven, detailed, nuanced, rich, blackberries, long finish. Firmer than previous bottles.

From a solid vintage in South Australia, this wine seamlessly weaves together notes of Italian plum, black cherry, mocha, cigar box and a plethora of herbs and spices. The palate is chiseled, all rippling, glistening muscles, but without the top heaviness. Ultrafine tannins cinch vibrant fruit while that cigar box element lingers on the lengthy finish. Christina Pickard

As long as Peter Gago is making Grange, I have little doubt every release will be meaningful. The vintage variation will always have a hand in the outcome, but Gago's passion and his intimate connection with this historical label will likely never let it slip to even just good. In 2016 it is fabulous. Gago has already placed the 2016 Grange into one of the four great vintages in the last fifty years, including 2010, 1990, and 1971. Over the years, he says, “I've seen every variation on the theme. What extreme hasn't happened? In 2011 it was so wet you could shake the vines, and the grapes fell off. In 2008 there were 16 days of a massive heatwave with every ferment stopping in the old open fermenters. In 2020 what haven’t we seen?" 2016 Grange is a rambunctious giant of a young red wine invoking in my mind (with all respect) a note of crushed ants for all you history buffs. Unlike the RWT, this is a brazen shiraz with rich, spicy dark chocolate and blueberry, and even glossier textures. It will outlive the youngest of collectors. Its current price tag is painful, but history had proven it will only go up in price. 2016 is 97% Shiraz, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon grown across the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Clare Valley and at Magill Estate. It was matured 18 months in American oak hogsheads that were 100% new. Decant for two hours or more if you dare open it. (Anthony Gismondi).

A blend of 97% shiraz and 3% cabernet sauvignon from Barossa, McLaren Vale, Clare Valley and Magill Estate. This is a very intense Grange with such rich black-fruit, tar and coal-smoke aromas together with iodine and black-olive notes and an array of wild dark herbs. Almost impenetrable dark plums and licorice, as well as bacon fat. The palate has such seamless delivery of intense blackberry and plum flavors with some redder tones emerging, too. The power here is countered by such freshness and an almost elegant feel. This has such impressive, vibrant, long and seamless fruit power. Really is exceptionally complete, but tight, needs time to open. Very enjoyable now, but better after 2023.

Deep dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, subtle brightening on the rim. Fabulously exciting and complex nose typical of young Grange with coconut, bourbon vanilla, dark berries and fig, some soy sauce, underpinned with notes of nougat and eucalyptus. Powerful and close-meshed, dark fruit spectrum, chocolaty texture, round, silky tannins, energetic fresh structure leading to a dynamic finish with mocha notes. Very long-living and one to put down for decades, however, best to leave it to continue ageing for least five years.