Penfolds Grange 2016 (RP99) (Gift Box)

Country:             Australia
Region:               Barossa Valley Rating:                RP99, WS97, WE97, JS98
Grape Variety:   97% Shiraz, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon
Type of Wine:    Red Wine
Bottle Size:        750ml

By Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 99
The 2016 Grange includes 3% Cabernet Sauvignon and was sourced from Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale and Clare Valley, with a little bit from Magill Estate, in the suburbs of Adelaide. Aged in 100% new American oak (as always), it offers up trademark lifted aromas plus scents of vanilla, toasted coconut, cedar, raspberries and blackberries. Impressively concentrated and full-bodied, with an extraordinarily long, velvety finish, it's nevertheless reasonably fresh and tight, with decades of cellaring potential if properly stored. Certainly at least on a par with such vintages as 2010 and 2012, the big question is whether it will ultimately reach triple digits.

Wine Spectator 97
A dynamic and distinctive red, balancing dark bass notes and fresh fruit. Dark chocolate–covered maraschino cherry and chai tea flavors form the core, but waves of white truffle, spicy cigar, gunpowder, white pepper, dried lavender, salted caramel, framboise and roasted almond are right behind. Dense, velvety tannins firm up on the finish, but the flavors are seamless and harmonious.

Wine Enthusiast 97
From a solid vintage in South Australia, this wine seamlessly weaves together notes of Italian plum, black cherry, mocha, cigar box and a plethora of herbs and spices. The palate is chiseled, all rippling, *Cellar Selection* (CP) glistening muscles, but without the top heaviness. Ultrafine tannins cinch vibrant fruit while that cigar box element lingers on the lengthy finish.

James Suckling 98
This is a very intense Grange with such rich black-fruit, tar and coal-smoke aromas together with iodine and black-olive notes and an array of wild dark herbs. Almost impenetrable dark plums and licorice, as well as bacon fat. The palate has such seamless delivery of intense blackberry and plum flavors with some redder tones emerging, too. The power here is countered by such freshness and an almost elegant feel. This has such impressive, vibrant, long and seamless fruit power. Really is exceptionally complete, but tight, needs time to open. Very enjoyable now, but better after 2023.