1998 Grange

Cool spring weather followed by a warm summer and very low rainfall created one of the classic vintages of the last two decades. Fruit quality was outstanding with incredible intensity of flavour, fine tannins and structure.

The 1998 vintage of Penfolds Grange may rank amongst the very finest released. Shiraz (97%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (3%). 18 months in new American oak.

John Duval, Penfolds chief winemaker

99/100

This is going to be a legendary Grange.

The wine, scheduled to be released May 1, 2003, is a blend of 97% Shiraz and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon that tips the scales at a whopping 14.5% alcohol.

The color is inky purple. The wine shows an extraordinarily intense nose of creme de cassis intermixed with blueberries and almost floral notes. As the wine sits in the glass, some meat, plum, and cola notes emerge.

In the mouth, it is absolute perfection, seamless, with extraordinarily sweet tannin, well-integrated acidity, sensational extract, and just layer upon layer of blackberry and cassis fruits that stain the palate and fill the mouth.

Its harmony, freshness, and remarkable length (nearly a minute) suggest an all-time classic and another legend.

Anticipated maturity: 2006–2030.

Robert M. Parker Jr., www.erobertparker.com, February 2002

97/100

Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator, 2008

94/100

James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com, 25 November 2011

97/100

Jeremy Oliver, www.jeremyoliver.com