Penfolds Grange 2017

Huon Hooke, The Real Review

Very deep, dark, dense colour with plenty of purple in the rim. The bouquet is classic Grange, loaded with toasty-smoky-oaky scents of smoked-meats and toasted barrels, dried herbs adding an extra fragrance, and hints of five-spice, especially star anise. It's very full-bodied and concentrated, powerful and long-lasting, but the tannins are beautifully crafted and supple, harmonious, and avoid any suggestion of astringency. The core of the wine is lusciously fruit-sweet and delicious, the robe of tannin complementary rather than domineering. The finish is tremendously long and satisfying. I can enjoy drinking this now: not usual with a new Grange release. A quite magnificent wine and a great Grange. 98/100 Points.

Tyson Stelzer, Halliday Wine Companion

The inky density and impenetrable presence that proclaim Grange are unmissable, even in the cooler 2017 season, in which sourcing has been pulled back to the strongholds of the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale. It's all here: black fruits of every kind, liquorice, dark chocolate, coffee bean, coal dust, even a suggestion of fruit mince spice. A wall of Grange tannins hold back its immense force, as finely engineered as ever. The finish holds motionless for minutes, with a stature and force possessed only by Grange, yet at every moment upholding statuesque poise, integrity, even tang in this cooler season. 97/100 Points.