Special Penfolds Wines for Real Wine Lovers

Posted by on June 29, 2011

Penfolds wines often stir up a discourse among Australians because of one special wine label it produces: the Grange. The Penfolds Grange is a South Australian wine that’s so good and unique, it’s now a state icon there. And why not? It’s made predominantly of Australia’s favorite, most widely planted dark-skinned grape variety: the Shiraz. The Penfolds Grange gives out a unique, delicious taste with every vintage and bottle. Today, the Grange is a blend of mostly Shiraz, and a little bit of Cabernet Sauvignon. Formulated by two of Australia’s most powerful wines, this wine is strong enough to sweep you off your feet.

The Grange is one of the well collected wines in Australia, and it’s great to mature. There are some Penfolds wines however, that are more highly valued and are best to try first before the other wines; starting with the Penfolds Grange 1996. This very inviting, cherry red wine is one of the high costing vintages, with an introductory price of 0 a bottle. It leaves notes of sweet plum and cassis fruit, and is quite rich and bold for a Grange. It’s full of tannins, and it offers layers of various flavors that will leave you anxious in a good way. Following the plum and cassis scents are aromas of blackberry, licorice, and a bit of chocolate and espresso. Its intense flavors are partly coming from its 6% Cabernet Sauvignon blend. It’s good to age for about four to five years.

Another must try is the Penfolds Grange 1988 vintage. It’s noted for it’s highly perfumed nose of tar, cassis, pepper, and lingering fruit. It’s moderately tannic and complex, with a luscious color of deep purple. Best of all, its original price of 0 a bottle has been changed to 5. It’s best paired with beef dishes cooked in red wine reduction or tomato sauce. Among all the Penfolds wines, you should see to it that you get to try the Penfolds Grange 1998. Wine Spectator rated it 99 (close to perfect). Even wines scoring 94 or 95 points are already filled with such goodness. So you can only imagine how this vintage will satisfy you up to the bones. It has sweet tannins, a moderate acidity, and a lingering taste of blackberry and cassis. It also has lingering scents of dark plum, vanilla, and coconut-scented oak. Many people are so drawn to it that they call it Liquid Love. All these Penfolds wines are great in their own unique ways, which gives you all the more reason to try them one by one.

Joanne’s

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Tags: Lovers, Penfolds, Real, Special, Wine, Wines

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