Penfolds Grange 2019

Penfolds Grange 2019: An Enduring Legacy of Australian Excellence

Experience the Penfolds Grange 2019, the latest release of Australia’s most celebrated wine and a global icon of viticultural distinction. Since its first experimental vintages, the mandate for Grange has remained unwavering: to craft Australia’s greatest red wine from the very best Shiraz fruit of the vintage. This singular ambition continues to drive its impeccable consistency, with each new release revealing subtle distinctions that reflect the unique character of the growing season, while upholding the unmistakable Grange DNA.

The story of Grange is a modern tale of imagination, a battle against the odds, and ultimate redemption. It began with Chief Winemaker Max Schubert’s exploratory trip to Bordeaux in 1949. This journey sparked the idea of creating an Australian red wine capable of ageing and developing for a minimum of twenty years, mirroring the great French classed growths. Schubert’s first experimental vintage in 1951 marked the beginning of a new way of thinking in Australian winemaking. However, the initial reception to Grange was far from positive, and Schubert was famously forced to make the wine in secrecy for several years. Time, of course, proved him right, and Grange has since become one of the most collected and revered wines in the world, a testament to his vision and perseverance.

The 2019 Grange has been likened by the Penfolds winemaking team to those pioneering bottlings originally crafted by Max Schubert himself. There is also a compelling suggestion that this vintage is set to follow in the illustrious footsteps of the now highly revered 2009, 1999, and 1989 vintages – forming part of a distinguished decennial sequence. Each of these wines is characterised by immense power, precision, and profound cellaring capability. The 2019, bounding with youthful energy, promises decades of evolution and discovery ahead. Crafted utilising fully-ripe, intensely-flavoured, and superbly structured Shiraz grapes, Grange is rightly recognised as one of the most consistent of the world’s great wines. This 2019 vintage offers a pure symphony of fruit – full-bodied, powerful, and impeccably balanced. As Penfolds Chief Winemaker, Peter Gago, states, it is "A worthy follow-on to its 100-point-laden 2018 predecessor."

Tasting Notes: A Profound and Complex Character

The Penfolds Grange 2019 is a wine of immense depth and intricate detail, engaging the senses on multiple levels.

• Colour: It presents a deep, dark, and bright appearance in the glass, immediately signalling its concentration and vitality.
• Nose: The aromatic profile is benchmark Grange, automatically recognisable to those familiar with this iconic wine. Initial formic and glacial higher notes provide an intriguing lift. Beneath this, a more familial, comforting oaked nuttiness gradually recedes, allowing aromas of rich black liquorice, anise, and savoury black olive to come to the fore. A shroud of condensed, glazed fruits then surrenders to reveal a fresher disposition – a vibrant coulis of mixed berries and stone fruits, with an earthy suggestion of boiled beetroot. Upon sitting and allowing the wine to breathe, a delicate sprinkle of lavender and exotic spices almost completes the aromatic package, though its complexity continues to unfold with each passing minute or two. It is, as noted, still in its early days of development.
• Palate: The palate experience is one of remarkable cohesion, vigour, sheen, and poise. It is impeccably fresh and balanced, neither exaggerated nor over-ripe. Lively blueberry notes and other youthful blue and black fruit characters belie the maturation timeline of this alluring blend, showcasing a vibrant fruit core. Befitting the Grange style, unmistakable barrel-ferment characters are undoubtedly more pronounced on the palate than they are on the nose, contributing layers of spice and complexity. While the mid-palate is somewhat formidable, ably supporting a thick and dense core of fruit, by contrast, the back-palate is creamy and possesses a caressingly endearing quality. The wine is expansive and full, seemingly washing away all ahead of it with its sheer presence. Texturally, it is defined by chewy, grainy tannins that are perfectly integrated, alongside a just-right acidity that provides freshness and length. All the crucial mandates of this 2019 Grange vintage are now accredited and evident.

Serving Suggestions for an Unforgettable Experience

To allow Penfolds Grange 2019 to express its full spectrum of flavours and aromas, careful serving is paramount. The ideal temperature is between 16-18°C (60-64°F). Given its youth, power, and immense concentration, extensive decanting is highly recommended – allow at least two to three hours, and potentially longer, for the wine to breathe. This will help to soften the tannins and allow the complex bouquet to fully unfurl. Serve in large, high-quality Bordeaux-style glasses to best appreciate its aromatic depth and structural elegance.

Detailed Food Matches: A Harmony for Special Occasions

Penfolds Grange 2019 demands culinary partners of equal stature. Its power and complexity make it an exceptional match for rich, deeply flavoured dishes.

• Prime Roasted Meats: A classic pairing would be a standing rib roast of beef, cooked to perfection. Roast leg of lamb, generously studded with rosemary and garlic, or a saddle of venison with a rich game sauce would also be magnificent.
• Slow-Cooked Rich Meats: Consider slow-braised beef cheeks in a Grange reduction, or a luxurious oxtail stew. The wine’s depth will beautifully complement the intensity of these dishes.
• Premium Game: Roasted pheasant, grouse, or other well-hung game birds, served with traditional accompaniments, would be an excellent choice.
• Hard, Aged Cheeses: (See specific cheese pairing below).
• Minimalist Perfection: Sometimes, the best pairing is simple. A perfectly grilled, prime-quality steak, seasoned simply with salt and pepper, will allow the Grange to take centre stage.

Cheese Pairing Recommendation:

For an unparalleled cheese pairing with Penfolds Grange 2019, select a truly exceptional British hard cheese. An impeccably sourced, mature Keen's Cheddar or Montgomery's Cheddar, aged for at least 24 months, if not longer, would be a sublime choice. These cheeses possess an intense, complex flavour profile with nutty, savoury, and sometimes slight caramel notes, alongside a firm, crystalline texture. This depth and savoury character will stand up to the Grange's power and structure, creating a harmonious dialogue between wine and cheese, where both are elevated.

Exceptional Critical Acclaim:

The Penfolds Grange 2019 has already been met with outstanding praise from the world’s leading wine critics, underscoring its exceptional quality:

• 98+ Points - Andrew Caillard MW
• 98+ Points - Colin Hay
• 98 Points - Ken Gargett
• 98 Points - Jeni Port
• 98 Points - Tyson Stelzer

Penfolds Grange 2019 is not merely a wine; it is an experience, an investment, and a continuation of one of the greatest stories in the world of wine. It is a profound expression of Australian terroir and winemaking artistry, destined for decades of graceful evolution in the cellar.