Glorious aromas of blackberry, spice, tile and toasted wood that move into sandalwood, violet and rose petal, then cloves and nutmeg, before revealing a cappuccino and cream undertone. Full-bodied yet very tight and compacted with a dense center palate that is still agile and energetic. Tightly wound and compressed. Great complexity. Waiting to open and unravel in the bottle. It builds on the palate with such fine tannins that perfectly integrate. 97% shiraz and 3% cabernet sauvignon, with 70% from Barossa Valley, the rest from McLaren Vale and Claire Valley with small percentages from other sources. Multi-vintage blend: 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2018. 2,200 bottles produced. Drink this after 2021 and onwards but already an ethereal wine!
Combining five vintages of Grange across eight years (2010, 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2018) produces a commanding example of power and poise. The base is 2010 but each vintage comprises at least 10% of the blend, which matured for 18 months in US oak hogsheads. The wine (97% Shiraz and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon) opens with a huge, urgent nose of blackberry, bramble and mulberry laced with seductive notes of prune, wild fennel and liquorice. The thrill is in the silky glide through a rich middle palate, where an intriguing mesh of bold primary fruit freshness rolls with the umami savouriness of soy sauce and tobacco leaf, the dust of red earth and lick of ironstone. Big, dark purple notes persist and drive through an especially long palate, with soft tannins serving more as a guide than a restraint to the heaving tide of flavours. Just 2,200 bottles made, released at AU$3,500 each.
