2004 Penfolds Grange
SKU #1047714
99
points
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2004 vintage was outstanding in Barossa, McLaren Vale, and Magill, the regions where the grapes were sourced for the marvelous 2004 Grange. It contains 4% Cabernet Sauvignon and was aged for 16 months in 100% new American oak hogsheads. A glass-coating opaque purple color, it displays a superb nose of wood smoke, Asian spices, incense, game, blueberry, and blackberry liqueur. Medium to full-bodied, satin textured, with deeply layered, succulent blackberry, plum, and chocolate flavors, it has the structure and complexity to merit extended cellaring of a decade and more. The winery estimates a drinking curve of 2016 to 2050; I'd be a bit more conservative on the long end of the range. It will ultimately be seen as one of the great vintages of Grange.
(12/ 2009)
98
points
Wine Spectator
Smooth and seductive, this delivers a full-throated chorus of currant, plum, blackberry and spice flavors, hinting at coffee and cardamom as the finish floats and sails easily over a bed of polished, refined tannins. A touch of black olive balances nicely against it all. Beautifully structured, expressive and very long. Best from 2012 through 2025.
(10/ 2009)
96
points
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
Powerful aromas of cassis, blackberry and bitter cherry are complemented by exotic notes of smoky peat, pipe tobacco, violet oil and fresh blood. Deeply concentrated cherry skin and blackcurrant flavors are underscored by a strong mineral quality, with a sexy floral element gaining strength with air. The minerality builds on the finish, which leaves a wide swath of spice and earth notes in its wake. This wine's marriage of depth, spiciness, fruit, meatiness and minerality is extremely impressive.
(10/ 2009)
K&L Notes
"The wait for this Grange release has indeed been worthwhile - arguably the finest vintage since Mother Nature's endowment ofa number of stellar 1990s vintages...Certainly stylistically in the mould of the wonderful 1990 & 1996 vintages." (Peter Gago - Penfolds Chief Winemaker) This exceptional, ageworthy wine hardly needs an introduction. Parker's Advocate has rated every vintage since 1975 90 points or higher (the 1976 was rated 100 points, and both the 1986 and 1998 were rated 99). No collector should miss this.