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Tasting notes
From a wet vintage – not a great year. The first time they bottled in magnums. Last tasted in 2015. How is the fruit on this 42-year-old wine still so alive and energetic! The tannins have melted, leaving imprints of umami and salty, intense umeboshi plums on the rich, almost port-like sweetness of the fruit. And yet there is such an elegant, cool freshness and lift that darts through the wine, almost minty, almost cold wet slate. Of all the five vintages of Grange, this is the one I kept coming back to. It had real grace. A gentleman of a wine. (TC)
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Blueish crimson – looks much younger than 1979 but it smells very obviously mature, even old. Extremely dense and rich and medicinal. Thick, sweet and slightly porty with some animal/gamey notes. A dry finish after a very sweet palate. Not shy. (JR)
Production: 5,700 cases Blend: 87% Shiraz/13% Cabernet Sauvignon The 1979's black/purple color is followed by a subdued nose revealing scents of mint, blackcurrant, licorice, and earth. This huge, full-bodied, moderately tannic Grange is extremely youthful and backward. Although not as thick or massive as either the 1978 or 1980, this is a large-scaled, mouthfilling heavyweight from Down Under. It can be drunk now, but 2-4 more years of cellaring will result in more complexity. 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.