Penfolds Grange Collectors Cellar Tasting with D-Lynn Proctor at WWWB

"It wasn't always like this. Before Paris, people didn't drink our wine. I mean, my friends did. But you could hardly consider their palates discerning..." Bo Barrett - Bottle Shock 

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We don’t waste time here at the Wine Watch as every day above ground should be special and celebrated with great wines.  You never know when your last bottle will go down but we are trying to take down as many great wines as we can before our time runs out!

One of the reasons that I get out of bed in the morning is to drink wines like Penfolds Grange. Grange is a symbol of the best that Australia has to offer, the pinnacle of quality and the epitome of what a Shiraz from southeast Australia is and standard bearer should be. That is why we host an annual event to showcase the newest release of this iconic wine.  

Over the years we have had both John Duvall and Peter Gago, the last two winemakers for Grange along with other Penfolds’ personalities and this year we have the star of the movie “Somm” D Lynn Proctor on hand to tell the story of the iconic Grange. 

Our "Collector Series" tasting event is where we ask you, our wine drinking people, to come up with some wine from your wine collection to add to the party.

Penfolds Grange Collectors Cellar Tasting with D-Lynn Proctor
Saturday, July 15st
7:30

Let me explain further- this is a two part event:

The first part of the evening begins at 7:30pm, this is where we will be tasting through a vertical selection of 10+ vintages of Penfolds Grange. The price of admission is one bottle of Penfolds Grange from your cellar, but here is the catch- we only need 1 bottles of each wine, so the longer you wait to respond the harder it will be to get a seat as you will have to go further back in time because the youngest vintages will be filled up by the first collectors who respond. 

If you do not have a bottle of Grange in the cellar that is a different vintage than those below we may be able to help.  We just happen to have one of the largest collections of Penfolds Grance in Florida so I have included a list of all the Grange that we have in the store below. 

If you would like to attend the vertical tasting just respond to this email with the vintage of Penfolds Grange that you would like to trade for your seat.

**There are only 16 spaces available for this event.

Here are the vintages that we have already:

2012 Penfolds Grange South Australia
Price: $850.50    Sale $748.44

(99 Points) "The 2012 Grange comes from just two sub-regions of South Australia this year: Barossa Valley (the majority) and McLaren Vale. This makes a lot of sense since 2012 was a cracking year in both of these areas, producing a number of extraordinary wines. As usual, this Grange contains a splash of Cabernet Sauvignon, just 2%. Very deep purple-black in color, it opens on the nose with complex earthy/meaty/savory notes, soon giving way to baked blackberries, plum preserves, hoisin and Chinese five spice with dabs of sandalwood, licorice, menthol and vanilla. The palate reveals a surprisingly open, rich, full-bodied expression exuding a powerhouse of velvet-lined decadence. Still, it characteristically possesses that rock-solid “Grange” backbone of firm tannins and great freshness expressed in a real lively lift to the finish. And the finish is epically long. There are some stylistic similarities here to the opulent, gregarious 2008 vintage, perhaps just lacking ever so slightly in the same exhilarating abandonment of winemaking protocols for the celebration of the fruit and sites. That said, this is unquestionably a stonking great Grange! " The Wine Advocate

2011 Penfolds Grange

(93 Points) "2011 was of course a difficult, uncharacteristically rainy vintage in South Australia and particularly Barossa, but thanks to Penfolds’ privileged position with access to some of the region’s best fruit, they have nonetheless been able to blend an impressive Grange. Still sourced mainly from Barossa Valley, there’s a good dollop of McLaren Vale fruit (21%) – a region less affected by the rains in 2011 - contributing to this vintage. Interestingly, it is the 6th vintage ever to consist of 100% Shiraz, mainly because the Cabernet Sauvignon didn't make the grade this year. (Note that no Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon was produced in 2011.) Deep purple colored, in typical fashion the nose of the 2011 Grange is still closed at this youthful stage with broody tar and pepper laced notes over a core of blackberries, black plums, licorice and loam. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is taut and muscular with pepper and baking spice flavors supported by firm, grainy tannins. The finish has great length, contributing a refreshing lift." The Wine Advocate

2003 Penfolds Grange
Price: $475.00    Sale Price: $399.00
Quantity in Stock: 14

(94 Points) Supple, ripe and generous with its blueberry, plum and mocha flavors, riding easily over finely wrought tannins and extending into the long, expressive finish. Rich, complex and evocative, this has plenty of flavor packed into a beautifully balanced package. Drink now through 2020. 680 cases imported. “HS Wine Spectator Issue: Oct 15, 2008

2002 Penfolds Grange South Australia
Price: $550.00    Sale Price: $450.00
Quantity in Stock: 13

(98 Points) Last but not least is Australia's most famous wine, the 2002 Shiraz Grange. The 2002 version was sourced from 77.5% Barossa Valley and 22.5% from McLaren Vale. Included in the blend is 1.5% Cabernet Sauvignon. It spent 17 months in 100% new American oak. Opaque purple, it gives off an ethereal bouquet of violets, saddle leather, blueberry, blackberry, pencil lead, and chocolate. This is followed by a full-bodied wine with tremendous concentration, multiple layers of flavor, ripe tannins, and great balance. Thick and rich, with a 60-second finish, it will slowly blossom over the next 15-20 years and provide pleasure through 2050. It is a legend in the making! Penfolds, arguably Australia's most famous winery, continues to perform at a high level under the leadership of Head Winemaker, Peter Gago. Wine Advocate # 173, Oct 2007

2001 Penfolds Shiraz Grange
Price: $550.00    Sale Price: $450.00
Quantity in Stock: 6

(98) It is always a treat to taste Australia's most famous wine, Penfolds Grange cuvee (the word Hermitage has been dropped because of legal issues). The 2001 Grange is one of the few vintages of this cuvee to be composed of 100% Shiraz (the others being 1951, 1952, 1963, 1999, and 2000). Aged 17 months in 100% American oak, and tipping the scales at 14.5% alcohol, the 2001 is undeniably one of the top examples of this wine. At this stage, it appears to eclipse the 1998 and 1996. Inky/blue/purple to the rim, with a stunning perfume of blueberries, blackberries, chocolate, graphite, and earth, it boasts good acidity, huge tannins, magnificent concentration, and a multilayered, textured mouthfeel. It is a big, but impeccably well-balanced Shiraz that should shed some of its structure and tannin over the next 4-5 years, and be at its best between 2010-2030 . Wine Advocate #167 (Oct 2006)

1999 Penfolds Grange Shiraz South Australia
Price: $438.00    Sale Price: $350.00

(94-96 Points) Only the third Grange to be made from 100% Shiraz , the 1999 Grange is superb. The color is inky purple. The wine shows unformed but gorgeously sweet notes of blackberries intermixed with smoke, licorice, and asphalt. This is a wine of great intensity, sweet tannin, voluptuous texture, and a spectacularly long finish. Patience will be required, as it will not be released until May 1, 2004. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2025.  The Wine Advocate

1998 Penfolds Grange South Australia
Price: $500.00    Your Price: $440
Quantity in Stock: 2

(99 Points) The 1998 Grange will be legendary. A blend of 97% Shiraz and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon, it tips the scales at a whopping 14.5% alcohol. The inky/purple color is followed by an extraordinarily intense nose of creme de cassis intermixed with blueberry and floral notes. As the wine sits in the glass, aromas of meat, plums, and cola also emerge. It is a seamless effort with sweet tannin, well-integrated acidity, sensational extract, and layer upon layer of blackberry and cassis fruit that stain the palate and fill the mouth. Its harmony, freshness, and remarkable length (the finish lasts nearly a minute) suggest an all-time classic. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2030. Wine Advocate # 148 August 2003

1994 Penfolds Grange South Australia

(96 points) A magnificent edifice of a wine, elegant and refined in structure but dripping with flavor--a virtual cascade of plum, black cherry, blackberry, anise, pepper and exotic spices that lingers on the finish; this just doesn't quit. (HS) (11/1999)  Wine Spectator

1990 Penfolds Grange South Australia

(98 points) Magnificent, exotic, a veritable cascade of opulent flavors--earthy currant, black cherry and licorice--on a grand frame of incredible length, wrapped in finely grained tannins. Feels like it can age through 2010 or 2020, at least. (HS) (1/1997) Wine Spectator

Penfolds Dinner with D'Lynn featuring other wines from Penfolds winery including the St. Henri Grange's alter ego.

The Dinner is $75 + tax and we will be pairing a course and you can drink the rest of your bottle of Grange with dinner!

Penfolds Dinner Menu
Saturday July 15th
8:15

Smoked Salmon Carpaccio with honey apple relish and lime citrus Aioli

Penfolds Bin 51 Riesling 2015    
Price: $37.50       Sale $33.00

(96 Points) "Highly floral; has a definite touch of lavender on the bouquet along with notes of herb and the more usual citrus. Fascinating - the low pH gives the palate the minerally structure to carry the apple skin and lemon/citrus zest and pith. A vibrantly fresh wine bred to stay. And to think there was a time not so long ago when Penfolds had L-plates on its white winemaking." Australian Wine Companion

Sambuca Glazed Duck with mixed Vegetable Risotto

Max's Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 
Price: $19.50       Sale $17.16

Complex, leafy with olive fruit and dried oregano. Beetroot fruit. Roasted Mediterranean vegetables. Textured by assertive tannins that provide counter-balance to the sweet fruit. Oak provides cedar, toast, char & dark licorice and exotic spices.  Blend: 70% Shiraz, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon

Penfolds Max's Cabernet Sauvignon 2014           
Price: $19.50       Sale $17.16

This wine has a bit of that Eucalyptus along with lots of dark currant and cassis berry fruit, cedar and bitter coco, this wine was formerly known as the Bin 8.  A good amount of dark berry fruit on the tongue, smooth tannins but there is a hint of bitter coco at the end, a well-balanced wine that is approachable today but could use a few years of cellaring.  Finish 40+                Very good +

Blueberry glazed Pork Belly with forest floor mushroom ragout and black Olive tapenade

2014 Penfolds Bin 28 Shiraz Barossa       
Price: $27.75       Sale $24.42

A big bouquet with black raspberry and blackberry fruit notes of black olive tapenade and toasty oak spice.  Plush velvety tannins here on the tongue with a good amount of dark raspberry and plum fruit on the tongue, notes of that spice and earth, black olive tapenade on the finish.  finish 45+        Excellent

Miso BBQ Big Eye Tuna belly served with Crispy Sesame Rice Cake topped with Seared Foie Gras

2013 Penfolds St Henri Shiraz   
Price: $105.00    Sale $$92.40

This is the alter ego to Grange and they use no barrique here with lots of dark jammy fruit, soy and toasty oak, a very concentrated and rich array of fruit here.  A big and rich wine on the tongue that has lots of chewy tannins, very concentrated with layers of fruit, violet floral notes and some spicy notes through the finish.  Finish 45+                Most Excellent

Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie

Penfolds Grandfather Port         
Price: $118.50    Sale$104.28

The Grandfather name dates back to 1915, when an oak cask containing the finest blend of Tawny was set aside for the exclusive use of the Penfold family. This wine was known as The Grandfather due to the age of the oldest Tawny in the blend.

With a core selection of Mourvedre, Shiraz, Cabernet and Grenache (but not limited to these varieties), Grandfather Rare Tawny sources fruit from vineyards specifically selected for fortified wine production.

Only the free run wine is used for Penfolds Grandfather Rare Tawny and Penfolds uses a low strength fortifying spirit which is selected specifically for the Penfolds style. This spirit accentuates primary fruit character and adds additional complexity and seamless integration.

Each year, fortified wine is made with Grandfather in mind and these selected batches are barrel aged for approximately eight years. Batches of wine that reach the required maturation and Grandfather quality are then blended and added to the 'Grandfather Solera'. In this six-stage solera, Grandfather is aged for a further twelve years to give a total average age above 20 years - before being drawn off for bottling.

During this extended maturation process the Grandfather Rare Tawny becomes more concentrated and complex with increased palate weight, structure, complexity and sweetness

This tasting menu is limited to 16 tasters but if you still want to come in and talk to D-Lynn and enjoy any of these Penfolds wines By the Glass along with one or two of the items on the menu you can stop by and just have a glass of the St. Henri with the Foie Gras or a Glass of Grange with a selection of cheese and Charcuterie which are always available whenever the Wine Bar is open.

This tasting and dinner is $75 + tax for reservations call 954-523-9463 or e-mail andy@winewatch.com.