1996 Penfolds Grange

Community Tasting Notes (156) Avg Score: 94.6 points

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  4/25/2024 - Juliansi Likes this wine: 93 Points

  Sometimes I have to pinch myself.. within 💯 hours in the same week, I tried two aged Grange 1996s.
  
  4 hours bottle breathed, this was my bottle with cherry and menthol bouquet.
  
  DQ had brought the first to our 1st and 2nd Growths session, fooling all of us, so I had to change my game plan for a gathering next week.. I thought why not bring it for this cosy birthday dinner with bro RN instead.
  
  Little did l know.. Aussie wines are RNs kryptonite, but even he had to admit.. this perfectly aged Grange 1996 was his 💚
  
  
  Bref, Kuala Lumpur
  25th Apr 2024

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  4/21/2024 - Juliansi Likes this wine: 96 Points

  Magnificent!!!
  
  Concentrated raspberries, opulent tannic grip and structure. Acid M+, textured mid-palate. 50s finish!
  
  Is this a mid 2000s Napa cult wine? I was gonna be happily proven wrong..
  
  This is only the 2nd Grange that has ever graced my lips and palate, after the visit to Penfolds Magill Estate last year when we tried the present 2018 release.
  
  An exceptional vintage both in quality and quantity. After the drought conditions in 1995, much needed rains replenished the soils during the winter across most of South Australia.
  
  The growing season was dry and mild, allowing the grapes to set and mature slowly resulting in ripe, complex, elegant fruit.
  
  🍇 Shiraz (94%),
  🍇 Cab (6%).
  
  Matured in 100% new American oak for 19 months.
  
  @DavidQ thanks for spoiling us on the occasion of our 1st and 2nd growth session in Cassis TTDI with bros TC, SKT, WMK and LMC. Ultra memorable indeed!
  
  
  Cassis, TTDI
  21st Apr 2024

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  12/25/2023 - Cremuel Likes this wine: 89 Points

  Bob’s cellar. Dark inky be lack, black as night. Nose is full black fruit, menthol mint nose, blast of fruit aromas. Double decanted a couple of hours ago before tasting which shows grippy tannins, deep and dark black fruit. A little overpowering.
  Day 2, massive cassis and mocha with a swirl of smokiness on the nose., kirsch and menthol. Dry tannins, austere, fruit has mainly disappeared. A little disappointing in the end hence the low score.

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  11/23/2023 - Javachip Likes this wine: 96 Points

  Decanted 1 hour. Clear deep dark garnet-blood red color. Wonderful bouquet of macerated cherries, pomegranates, and their liqueurs; red licorice, polished stones, bacon fat, mixed herbs. Similar on the palate, medium-full body, seamless, excellent balance. Regal and refined. Improved with air. Last sip, 5 hours after opening, was the best.

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  10/29/2023 - Cailles wrote: 96 Points

  A few observations: A) The wines undoubtedly deserve their legendary status. Few wines manage to square the circle of being intense, rich in substance and structure, while at the same time being ethereal, delicate and airy. B) The wines are all complex and very precise. With age (and/or air) the wines show a Rayas-like pure red berry fruit to die for. Other defining aromas are the minty/eucalyptus notes and especially the sweet spice I find in many Aussie Shirazes. C) The wines age at a glacial pace. Even the 40+ year old wines are still quite young and all will need a lot of decanting. D) All the wines were on a high level (except for one subpar bottle of the 2000). The winner was the magical 1982 (98pts), the epitome of elegance and balance.
  
  TN: This was a very strong showing, very complex, highly precise and with a superb structure and impeccable balance. Slightly reductive, some cola, dark fresh fruit underneath, lots of minerality. Good, intricate nose. On the palate more open and ready with lots of fresh blue and darker berries, hints of red fruit too which get a bit more prominent with time, an intense, superbly fresh mint component, some meaty notes too and just hints of spices. Superb freshness. Soft and airy. Melted tannins but good tension. 96pts.
  
  Decanting: All wines were quickly double decanted 3h before the tasting. In my experience Grange usually needs hours of proper decanting. With this 1-2 hours of decanting should be sufficient.

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