2017 Penfolds Bin 95 Grange Shiraz 750ml Gift Box

Critic tasting note: "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."

Bright and lively crimson-red colour. Savoury on the nose, undercut by subtle sweet and spicy notes of vanillin, sandalwood and cumin. The palate is laden with red fruit typical of its Barossan and McLaren Vale origins, with hints of red and black liquorice, malt, and dark chocolate.

Peak drinking: 2027 - 2060

Critic tasting note: (2017 vintage) "2021 marks the 70th anniversary (1951 experimental–2021) of Grange in the marketplace, a wine that could be credited with putting the Australian wine industry on the world wine map. The multi-regional blend was the brainchild of winemaker Max Schubert, one of four chief winemakers to make Grange over the last 70 years. The latest iteration only cements my belief that winemaker Peter Gago has firmly grasped the baton and will likely be as inspirational in keeping this wine in the top ten of wines made anywhere in the world for a long time to come. As Peter has said, “The numbers have it: In its 70th anniversary year, this is only the 7th Grange to proclaim 100% shiraz, namely 1951, 1952, 1963, 1999, 2000, 2011, and now 2017. A 10% Shiraz hit-rate.” It might be the most drinkable Grange ever to come out of the Penfolds lineup at this stage in its life. The colour is purple/black after spending 18 months in new American oak hogsheads. The nose is classic toast and smoke with fragrant, spicy, savoury blueberry, plummy fruit that lingers forever. The palate is rich but glossy, with dense, fine-grained tannin under the smoked meat, blackberry, and chocolate. Best of all, the finish goes on for an eternity. Is it one of the best? We won’t know for sure for another 25 years. (Anthony Gismondi)." - 97/100, Gismondi on Wine