Penfolds : Grange 2021

Characteristics and tasting tips for the Grange 2021 from Penfolds

Tasting

Appearance
The color is a deep purple, almost black at the core.

Nose
The complex bouquet reveals a refined blend of dark chocolate, meaty notes and balsamic reduction. Added to this are nuances of soy, various spices reminiscent of poppy, sesame and incense, accompanied by coal dust and resinous soot.

Palate
On the palate, the wine is full and structured, supported by powdery tannins of great elegance. The aromatic spectrum reveals woody (oak), chocolate and toasted notes as well as licorice, menthol and Worcestershire sauce. The overall impression is completed by nuances of squid ink, cold corned beef, blue Satsuma plum, star anise and roasted quince.

Food and wine pairings

This exceptional wine pairs perfectly with grilled red meats, feathered game, oriental spiced stews or mature hard cheeses.

Service and storage

The Grange 2021 can be tasted now, but will only reveal its full potential between approximately 2027 and 2060. Decanting for two hours optimizes the aromatic development of this great wine.

An emblematic wine from South Australia with multi-regional blends

The Producer

An emblem of excellence, the Penfolds estate has developed into a symbol of top Australian wines since the beginning of the 20th century, not least thanks to the persistence of a courageous personality: Mary Penfold. The famous Briton and her husband Christopher Rawson arrived in Australia in 1844 and quickly acquired an estate of 200 hectares in the heart of Adelaide. Enthusiastic about this wine paradise, Mary Penfold devoted herself body and soul to the cultivation of the estate and made it the largest wine producer in South Australia.

Imbued with depth, elegance and complexity, Penfolds wines have been praised by critics for decades and have received countless awards for their quality.

The Vineyard

This iconic cuvée, unanimously recognized by the most internationally renowned critics, comes from three emblematic regions of South Australia. The Barossa Valley provides the main structure, McLaren Vale contributes with its diverse soils and temperate climate, while Clare Valley enriches the blend thanks to its high altitudes with slow and even ripening.

The Vintage

The 2021 vintage is characterized by regionally different climatic conditions. The Barossa Valley experienced a variable climate with lower winter rainfall, a wet August, a cool spring and a normal summer, which allowed for a harvest of excellent quality. McLaren Vale benefited from a temperate year with a dry July, good spring rainfall, a mild summer and a cool end to the season, which favored extended ripening without rain during the harvest. Clare Valley recorded below-average winter rainfall, balanced by rain in August, average temperatures in spring and summer, resulting in low yields but exceptional quality thanks to slow and regular ripening.

Vinification and Aging

The Grange 2021 benefits from 18 months of aging in new American oak barrels, a characteristic technique of this iconic cuvée, which gives the wine its complexity and exceptional aging potential.

Blend

The blend consists of 94% Shiraz and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, in accordance with the Grange tradition, which favors Shiraz while introducing structure and complexity through Cabernet Sauvignon.