Penfolds Grange is one of Australia's most recognised and collectible red wines. First created by Max Schubert in 1951, Grange became the definitive expression of Penfolds' multi-regional blending philosophy, combining selected South Australian Shiraz with a small proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon and extended maturation in new American oak.
The 1997 vintage offers a comparatively elegant expression of Grange, combining mature dark fruit, savoury complexity and firm structure with the longevity expected of this historic Australian wine.
Vintage
1997 was a cool and challenging growing season in parts of South Australia. Rigorous fruit selection resulted in a more restrained and elegant Grange than some of the more powerful surrounding vintages, while retaining the concentration and structure required for extended bottle development.
Vineyard
Fruit for the 1997 Grange was sourced from premium vineyard sites across South Australia, including the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Padthaway and Magill Estate. This multi-regional approach is central to the Grange style, allowing Penfolds to select and blend complementary parcels rather than expressing a single vineyard or district.
Winemaking
The wine is predominantly Shiraz with a small proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon. It was matured for 18 months in 100% new American oak hogsheads.
Critic Reviews
Falstaff: 97/100 “A lovely sense of blueberry with the merest hint of smoke and a touch of vanilla informs the nose. The palate adds a cool, minty sheen of freshness, accentuating the ripeness of the blueberry fruit. The tannins are dense and the wine has a sleek compactness as well as a youthful elegance. Fragrant from start to finish, long and cool.” Tasted August 2021
Giuseppe Lauria - Fine Wine Guide: 97/100 Tasted May 2019
Awards
Langton's Classification of Australian Wine – Exceptional
Specifications
Vintage: 1997
Producer: Penfolds
Wine: Grange Bin 95
Grape Variety: Predominantly Shiraz with approximately 5% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Padthaway and Magill Estate, South Australia, Australia
Maturation: 18 months in 100% new American oak hogsheads
