1952 Grange

The first vintage of Grange to be released commercially. Only 150 cases were produced and today the wine is a collector's item because of its rarity and historical significance.

Some bottles are still holding up well but only if they were perfectly cellared. Bottles were labelled Bin numbers 4 and 4A. One of three Grange vintages (1953 and 1962 are the others) produced in half (375ml) as well as full (750ml) bottles.

89/100

The first Grange (100% Shiraz) to be commercially released in the whoppingly large quantity of 150 cases, and sold at a price of one Australian dollar per bottle, this wine is clearly drying out, somewhat rustic, but intact.

Colored a dark plum/garnet, the wine shows charming, sweet notes of coffee, licorice, and faded fruit in the nose. The wine is still full-bodied, shows good ripeness and flesh, but then the finish shows some tart acid and some dry, astringent tannin.

As the wine sat in the glass, it did not crack up, but certainly did not improve. Nevertheless, for a wine that is nearly 50 years of age, it still provides excellent drinking.

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

95/100

Jeremy Oliver, www.jeremyoliver.com