1986 Grange
Vintage reviews
Sourced from the Barossa Valley (including the Kalimna Vineyard), Clare Valley, McLaren Vale and Modbury Vineyard (Adelaide).
Mild, relatively dry conditions throughout both growing and harvest seasons. A vintage of outstanding quality. Shiraz (87%), Cabernet Sauvignon (13%).
Matured in new American oak hogsheads for 20 months.
John Duval, Penfolds chief winemaker
98/100
I tasted this wine prior to its release and thought it to be the finest young Grange Hermitage I have yet sampled. Since its release, I have had the wine in three separate tastings and it has been nothing less than remarkable.
With a port-like, black/purple, thick looking color, and a huge nose of vanilla, cassis, pepper, and licorice, this massive, super-extracted, unctuously textured wine exhibits mind-boggling richness. It will probably overwhelm many tasters and, therefore, must be served with hearty food or intensely flavored meat or game.
Although approachable, it promises to evolve spectacularly over the next two or more decades.
Robert M. Parker Jr., Wine Advocate #80, April 1992
98/100
Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator, 31 January 1997
95/100
Jeremy Oliver, www.jeremyoliver.com