Penfolds Grange 2003

Penfolds Grange is arguably Australia's most famous wine and is officially listed as a Heritage Icon of South Australia. Grange boasts an unbroken line of vintages from the experimental 1951 and clearly demonstrates the synergy between Shiraz and the soils and climates of South Australia.

The Penfolds Grange 2003 has a deep red colour. On the nose, the wine is captivating, complex and complete. Unravelling aromatics unfurl with air - blue fruit notes entwined with barrel ferment and maturation elements. On the palate, dark and liqueur chocolate, laced with Moroccan spices are present. An underlying tar/graphite blackness is lifted by quince pie flavours. Long, layered and compelling, this wine is at the spicier end of the Grange spectrum.

"Inky purple. Seductively perfumed nose offers cassis, blueberry, cherry-cola, violet and dried fig scents, with a suave undercurrent of smoky minerals. Deep, finely etched cherry and dark berry flavors are complicated by mocha and candied licorice, becoming riper with air. Cured meat and black cardamom notes arrive with air, adding further interest. Full, fleshy and sweet on the impressively long finish, which is nicely braced by dusty tannins. This is more energetic than most wines from this vintage." - Vinous, 93 points