Penfolds

Grange 2012

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  Vintage 2012
  100 points

Deep colour. Intense paneforte, dark chocolate, dark blackberry aromas with lifted roasted chestnut, mocha, English-toffee aromas and notes of sweet tobacco, dried roses, shellac and frankincense. Superbly concentrated wine with wonderful presence, structure and density. Plush in scale yet possessing lovely energy and structure... Dense, expansive, rich and voluminous. All in perfect symmetry. A transcendent and powerfully expressive Grange harking back to Max Schubert's original blueprint. Its aromatic complexity, generosity and suppleness is reminiscent of the early 1960s. This has to be in the pantheon of all-time great vintages. Unbelievably good to drink now; a great indication of its lasting quality (but suggest you don't!). Leave it for a minimum of ten years, if you can. 2026-2080.

• 

  Vintage 2012
  98 points

(Barossa Valley & McLaren Vale) Very deep, dark red colour with a tinge of purple and a hint of black. Black olive, creosote, savoury, vanilla, chocolate and mocha aromas, touches of smoked smallgoods. The palate is full-bodied but it''s not a blockbuster. Soft and fleshy, smooth and supple, already showing a glimpse of the excitement and fascination that will follow in its maturity. The finish is all harmony, despite the flood of tannin: soft, savoury, powdery tannin. The components are all in great harmony so that no one feature stands out. The wine''s balance and seamlessness are impressive. I sense this could be a top-level Grange, and may score another point when it''s mature.