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Tasting notes
Bottle 1 : Very deep blackish crimson. Just a hint of oxidation on the nose. Sweet and smooth and a tad volatile. More port-like than most. Is there some residual sugar here? Not the most refreshing. Neat but would be more impressive in isolation. Some drying on the end. Bottle 2 : N ot decanted. Signed by Max Schubert! Really at peak and gloriously detailed. Fresh but Grange-like. Sweet and layered. So much better than the first bottle! Quite a bit of grip and obviously this has a future, too. Pungent. Very intense. (JR)
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Average Score
Robert Parker
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
88% Shiraz, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon. Kalimna Vineyard (Barossa Valley), Barossa Valley, Magill Estate (Adelaide), Morphett Vale (Adelaide) blend. Looks pretty old and brown. Sweet, faded and old on the nose. Faded old lady, but with great charm. A little too chewy perhaps. And rather obvious sweetness. Not refreshing, and probably will always be quite tannic on the way down from maturity to senescence. (JR)
Production: 3,610 cases Blend: 88% Shiraz/12% Cabernet Sauvignon Interestingly, the 1966 displays a more youthful, dark ruby/garnet color than its younger siblings, the 1967, 1968, and 1970. Some tannin remains in the alcoholic finish. The nose is completely open, revealing scents of cedar, jammy fruit, chocolate, and herbs. There is medium to full body, astringent, hard tannin, and enough fruit to stand up to the wine's high alcohol and structure. This very good to excellent wine should continue to drink well for another 5-10 years. Two other tastings of this vintage revealed similar results. Note: The production figures shown are for twelve bottle cases unless otherwise noted. Importers: PWG Vintners, Monterey, CA; tel. (408) 655-4848, fax (408) 655-0904
About the producer
Penfolds is Australia’s most famous wine producer, known best for their iconic top wine, Grange. First produced commercially in 1952, Grange has since gone on to become one of the world’s most famous fine wines. In 2001, the wine was listed as an Australian heritage icon.