2009 Penfolds Grange Bin 95, Australia

(97 Points) The 2009 Grange Shiraz is a comprised of 84% Barossa, 8% McLaren, and a little Clare Valley and a little Magill fruit with a small 2% of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. At this youthful stage, this deep garnet-purple colored wine puts forward a vivid expression of blackberry preserve aromas amid underlying cassis, black cherry, spice box, char-grilled meat and chocolate box notes. Surprisingly medium to full-bodied (it smells much fuller!) with taut flavors that are very closed in the mouth, it has firm, chewy tannins to structure through the long and earthy finish. 406 cases imported to the US. Drink it 2018 to 2035+.   eRobertParker.com #211, Feb 2014

Wine Watch Review:  The 2009 Grange  has 2% Cabernet Sauvignon, the grapes for this vintage hail from Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Clare Valley, Magill Estate.  This wine spent 18 months in 100% new American oak hogsheads.  The 2009 is a more elegant Grange but still has a good amount of dark and red berry fruit on the nose with highlights of mocha, fresh flowers, cola and licorice spice very well endowed bouquet of aromas that is even bigger ont he second day.  On the tongue this wine is  big and chewy but has a firm hand of acidity leaving the tongue refreshed despite the amount of delicious fruit here, the tannins are a bit rough around the edges still oint he finish but this wine has all the right stuff echoing the nuance from the nose through the finish, very long and layered the wine needs time, very well built with a long finish.  Finish 50+    Most Excellent +