2004 Grange
Vintage reviews
The wait for this Grange release has indeed been worthwhile – arguably the finest vintage since Mother Nature's endowment of a number of stellar 1990s vintages.
Just how good a vintage only time will tell, but all current indicators auger (very) well. Certainly stylistically in the mould of the wonderful 1990 & 1996 vintages.
Peter Gago, Penfolds chief winemaker
99/100
The 2004 vintage was outstanding in Barossa, McLaren Vale, and Magill, the regions where the grapes were sourced for the marvelous 2004 Grange.
It contains 4% Cabernet Sauvignon and was aged for 16 months in 100% new American oak hogsheads. A glass-coating opaque purple color, it displays a superb nose of wood smoke, Asian spices, incense, game, blueberry, and blackberry liqueur.
Medium to full-bodied, satin textured, with deeply layered, succulent blackberry, plum, and chocolate flavors, it has the structure and complexity to merit extended cellaring of a decade and more.
The winery estimates a drinking curve of 2016 to 2050; I'd be a bit more conservative on the long end of the range. It will ultimately be seen as one of the great vintages of Grange.
Jay S. Miller, Wine Advocate #186, December 2009
98/100
Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator, October 2009
97/100
James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com, November 2011
98/100
Jeremy Oliver, www.jeremyoliver.com