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Tasting notes
Shaded brownish ruby. Not quite as eloquent as the 1963 and 1962 on the nose. A bit occluded. Needed some encouragement to express its sweet fruit. On the palate, it’s sweet and salty like the 1955. Surely the best 1965 any of us will ever encounter? (No. I looked up our database and see quite a lot of enthusiastic tasting notes.) Quite long. A tad leathery on the slightly dry end. (JR)
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Very mature, this shows old leather, sweet polished wood and a sanguine, hot-steel note, too. Dried red plums. The palate is smooth-honed and silky. Closing out. Drink now.
95% Shiraz, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Kalimna Vineyard (Barossa Valley), Barossa Valley, Magill Estate (Adelaide), Morphett Vale (Adelaide), McLaren Vale blend. Sweet and sleek and very smooth and polished – quite leathery, in a good way. Really lively and zesty. Fully integrated and at its peak with just a hint of dust on the finish. Still quite a bit of tannin! But lots of luscious fruit. Long, with great balance. (JR)
Production: 4,160 cases Blend: 95% Shiraz/5% Cabernet Sauvignon The 1965 Grange Hermitage's dull color reveals considerable amber and orange at the edge. It exhibits a pronounced nose of roasted coffee, sweet herbs, mocha, and cedar. There is some fruit in the attack, but it fades quickly to display a wine with more hot alcohol and structure than sweetness and extraction. Although it remains full-bodied and is drinking reasonably well, this wine is in decline. Note: The production figures shown are for twelve bottle cases unless otherwise noted. Importers: PWG Vintners, Monterey, CA; tel. (408) 655-4848, fax (408) 655-0904
About the producer
Penfolds is Australia’s most famous wine producer, known best for their iconic top wine, Grange. First produced commercially in 1952, Grange has since gone on to become one of the world’s most famous fine wines. In 2001, the wine was listed as an Australian heritage icon.