2002 Grange
Vintage reviews
Sourced from the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale.
Regular winter rainfalls ensured ideal soil moisture levels and healthy vine growth. Spring and summer temperatures were amongst the lowest on record, which reduced yield potential, as well as slowing overall crop ripening to a crawl.
A warm, dry autumn eventuated, which, combined with careful vineyard management, enabled the grapes to reach ideal ripeness.
Aged for 15 months in new American oak hogsheads.
John Duval, Penfolds chief winemaker
98/100
Last but not least is Australia's most famous wine, the 2002 Shiraz Grange.
The 2002 version was sourced from 77.5% Barossa Valley and 22.5% from McLaren Vale. Included in the blend is 1.5% Cabernet Sauvignon. It spent 17 months in 100% new American oak.
Opaque purple, it gives off an ethereal bouquet of violets, saddle leather, blueberry, blackberry, pencil lead, and chocolate. This is followed by a full-bodied wine with tremendous concentration, multiple layers of flavor, ripe tannins, and great balance.
Thick and rich, with a 60-second finish, it will slowly blossom over the next 15-20 years and provide pleasure through 2050. It is a legend in the making!
Jay S. Miller, Wine Advocate #173, October 2007
95/100
Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator, September 2007
97/100
Jeremy Oliver, www.jeremyoliver.com