1996 Penfolds Grange

Community Tasting Notes (154) Avg Score: 94.6 points

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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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  10/5/2023 - despore Likes this wine: 95 Points

  A: med, garnet with loads of bricking
  N: mushrooms, dried red/black plum, dried herbs, red/black cherry, earth, some green pepper, tabac, leather, graphite
  P: dry, med (+) fresh acidity, high very fine integrated tannins, med (+) body, 14% ABV
  C: outstanding = 27 years and still fresh acidity and red/black fruit remaining, perfectly balanced fruit/tertiary and structure, complex, concentrated, long finish on tabac, earth and dried plum. Drink now of for coming 5 years.

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  10/3/2023 - sirpat00 wrote: 94 Points

  Grange vertical (Wunderbrunnen, Opfikon): Part of a 7-vintage vertical (key takeaways in the tasting story). A lighter fruit profile with a dark fruit base and red accents. A much more developed aging profile of sous-bois and leather. Detailed and precise even if slightly unripe. Fresh and fruit-forward with good balance and very manageable intensity.

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