September 28, 2023 - Four decades of Penfolds Grange (Chicago, IL): Really suffered in the context of the 1990 and 1989. This, like the 1995 drank like a mature example of Grange, which ticked all the technical boxes but lacked overall excitement. Shows less fruit, and also more mature and earthy, and maybe even just a little bit dried out.
June 24, 2023 - Minimum of 4 hour decant.
June 2, 2023 - Opened 2 hours before. Poured 1/2 hour before drinking. Smooth, tasted like old cab without the old noise funk.vanilla oak dark berry. Lovely.
Served w salmon w ginger rice.
April 29, 2023 - Smoked meats with Jason: Opened only a couple hours before but probably needed more time. The vanilla and coconut notes dominated and the wine felt unready and unintegrated which is something crazy to say for a 35 year old wine. Dense, rich fruit that felt a little jammy. Got better after a few hours in the decanter.
January 1, 2022 - Excellent wine. Still could go another 10-20 years. 4 hour decant. Still powerful. Chocolate, leather, vanilla, some fruit. Big and bold. If not for price I would chase down more.
September 2, 2021 - Brilliant! Needs a 4 to 5 hour decanting. I decanted for 4 and then poured the wine and left for another hour. Worth the wait.
February 6, 2021 - Excellent condition, rich chocolate and leather on the nose, fills the mouth and long finish.
December 25, 2020 - Dense, dark core still with just a touch of bricking at the edges. These 80 Granges really do evolve glacially. First impression on the nose is a hit of American oak, then maybe a touch of black pepper and cherry. On the palate tannins fully resolved and drinking very well. Not getting any hotness or stewed fruits mentioned in some other notes. I'm sure it will keep, but fully developed and ready to go for my tastes.
September 24, 2020 - This was ok, but had a burnt charcoal quality to it, a bit stewed and dark ash kind of thing. Not as structured as the '89 or '04. Interesting, but probably needs charred BBQ ribs to go with! Not the best of shape. At the Langham Hotel Terrace restaurant with Yarom and the gang.
July 14, 2020 - Double decanted for 3 hrs. Was fairly tight and opened up over the next few hours. lovely nose, surprisingly firm tannins, plenty of fruit on the front that follows all the way into a long and full finish. Great bottle of wine from a mediocre yr for Penfolds. The wine is fully developed, but has plenty left in the tank to hold for several years.