1973 Grange

This was the last wine completely made in the open, wax-lined concrete fermenters at the Magill winery in Adelaide. Subsequent vintages have been made at Nuriootpa in the Barossa Valley.

Sourced from the Barossa Valley (including Kalimna Vineyard), Magill Estate (Adelaide) and Modbury Vineyard (Adelaide). A dry growing season followed by a cool vintage. Shiraz (98%), Cabernet Sauvignon (2%).

Twenty months in new American oak hogsheads.

Max Schubert, Penfolds chief winemaker

90/100

A blend of 95% Shiraz and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, this was considered "a good wine from an undistinguished vintage". It certainly was outstanding in June in Adelaide, showing a terrific nose of blackberry jam intermixed with sweet earth, plum, brown sugar, and tobacco.

Full-bodied, deep, rich, and fully mature, this layered, concentrated, very fresh wine even exhibited some espresso-infused chocolate in the finish. It should drink well for another 5–7 years.

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

87/100

Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator, 31 January 1997

83/100

Jeremy Oliver, www.jeremyoliver.com