Opus One vs. Penfolds Grange

AWSEC, Hong Kong
Tasted Friday, April 27, 2012 by DonalOB with 1,184 views

Introduction

We met up compare verticals of Opus One and Penfolds Grange. Not really sure why - just for the hell of it. Rather useful for me as I'd had the other Opus One vertical the day before.

Flight 1 (7 Notes)

  • 2003 Opus One 92 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Apparently low yields on this vintage.
    Dark ruby with little rim. Plum and Cola on nose but not big fruit; also leather, tobacco and cigar box - all quite savoury not fruit-driven.
    Nice zing on the palate with plenty of ripe tannins. Good structure and length.
    Probably a good food wine.

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  • 2004 Opus One 91 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Shorter vintage with low yield.
    Again cola, licorice, bell pepper but less complex than the '03.
    Quite fat on the palate with low acidity and grippy tannins, even chalky. Some spice, graphite and prevalent vanilla.

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  • 1995 Penfolds Grange 92 Points

    Australia, South Australia

    Holy cow - this is dark. Ink with a tiny rim, and 17 years old!
    Big minty, menthol nose with vanilla.
    Surprisingly, not very concentrated on the palate with low acidity. Ripe tannins. Blueberry, pepper and again vanilla.

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  • 1996 Penfolds Grange 93 Points

    Australia, South Australia

    From a long, cool vintage.
    Dark but a little bricking. Complex spice on the savoury nose - more evolved than the '95.
    Big round palate with Plum and Blackcurrant. Menthol and smoke also present. The tannins are a bit grainy - probably needs a while yet to integrate. Very good length but a slight astringent note (could this have been a little oxidised?).

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  • 1997 Penfolds Grange Flawed

    Australia, South Australia

    Bit of a heatwave in this vintage.
    Bricked edge - much more evolved than the others.
    Vegetal nose with savoury, 'tomato soup' smell. Also tobacco.
    Good acidity on this - raises concerns as to where that came from in this vintage. Mild tannins with a savoury, smokey finish.
    This one was quite evolved - I'd even say 'drink up' but I'm sure this was an off bottle compared to the one we had on another occasion.

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  • 1998 Penfolds Grange 96 Points

    Australia, South Australia

    Cool Spring and Warm Summer - apparently the best vintage for Grange in 20 years.
    Dark core with a ruby rim. It was a little closed on the nose but meaty with mint.
    Big explosion in the mouth - mint, fruit, lots of spice, pepper, clove. Good tannic grip but not bitter at all. Nice balance with medium length. This is good but needs time.

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  • 2001 Penfolds Grange 96 Points

    Australia, South Australia

    Vintage: lots of rain in the Winter and a scorching Summer.
    Ink almost to the edge. Plenty of fruit here - plum, blackberry, mint, and dark cherry.
    Medium acidity with not very evident tannins. Quite lush and intense with a lingering aftertaste. Has both power and elegance.

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