2009 Penfolds Grange

The 2009 Penfolds Grange is a blend of 98% Shiraz and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon with ageing taking place in 100% new American oak hogsheads for 18 months. Fruit sources include Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Clare Valley & Magill Estate.
Outstanding colour – totally impenetrable inky black core with a very deep dark purple black hue. Hedonistic aromas of ripe blackberries, liquorice and dark chocolate explode out of the glass overlaying nuances of vanillin oak, mocha and spicy blackpepper showing superb intensity. Rich and powerful with a firm tannin backbone that provides plenty of grip and structural support for long term cellaring, the palate boasts mouth coating flavours of ripe blackberries, liquorice and dark plum alongside a touch of dark chocolate with underlying vanillin oak, mocha and spice characters. Firm but polished tannins provide the support base to the powerful layers of rich fruit. Opulent muscular texture. Exceptional depth with very long blackberry, dark plum, dark chocolate, liquorice and spicy vanillin oak aftertaste. A classically proportioned Grange.
Cellar 15-20 years.
Alc 14.5%
Cork

Other Reviews….
The 2009 Grange Shiraz is a comprised of 84% Barossa, 8% McLaren, and a little Clare Valley and a little Magill fruit with a small 2% of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. At this youthful stage, this deep garnet-purple colored wine puts forward a vivid expression of blackberry preserve aromas amid underlying cassis, black cherry, spice box, char-grilled meat and chocolate box notes. Surprisingly medium to full-bodied (it smells much fuller!) with taut flavors that are very closed in the mouth, it has firm, chewy tannins to structure through the long and earthy finish. Drink it 2018 to 2035+.
97 points
Lisa Perrotti-Brown – Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate
 

From the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Clare Valley and Magill Estate, 98% shiraz and 2% cabernet sauvignon; it finished its fermentation in 100% new American oak hogsheads and was matured therein for 18 months. Peter Gago has commented it is not as ‘Barossa-ish’ as the ’08, and it’s true the bouquet has fragrant sweet and savoury spices, the palate with licorice and black fruits, oak riding high, but guaranteed to be relegated to second place as the wine comes into balance around 2030. Drink to 2050.
97 points
James Halliday – Australian Wine Companion