Grange Hermitage 1953 Penfolds

2015	2013	2010	1995
23 789€ +8.3%	21 966€ +33.1%	16 500€ +685.7%	2 100€

2015

2013

2010

1995

23 789€ +8.3%

21 966€ +33.1%

16 500€ +685.7%

2 100€

Latest Pro-tasting notes

<10 tasting notes

20p by Jancis Robinson MW / BWW2024/Best Wine Critic of the World
20p by Jancis Robinson MW / BWW2024/Best Wine Critic of the World
100p by Andrew Caillard MW / BWW2024 Finalist
96p by Pekka Nuikki / Editor of the Fine Wine Magazines and Champagne Magazine
95p by Pekka Nuikki / Editor of the Fine Wine Magazines and Champagne Magazine
98p by Ken Gargett

Tasting note

Verdict

Outstanding and Masterpiece

Written Notes

One might baulk at the price, if you could ever find it. auction average is A$14,000. No hiding that this is a mature wine but one which is still in fine condition. Brick red. Extraordinarily perfumed with an array of utterly beguiling and intriguing fragrances. There are notes of dry herbs, chocolate and licorice. Subtle cigar box notes. Old supple leather. Amazing stuff. A wonderfully complex wine with impressive concentration. Delightfully supple texture. There are meaty notes and hints of coffee grinds. There is a delightful sweetness to the wine. This still offers great length. It almost seemed as though it would never end. And I certainly didn't want it to. What a wine! The intensity is maintained throughout. The tannins are so satiny as to be almost transparent. Seamless. Peter Gago described this as the greatest Grange of all and a wine that “is still on a slight ascent”. Half a century has only enhanced its charms. Only 260 cases made. The fruit was sourced from Magill Estate, Morphett Vale (Adelaide) and Kalimna. It was a blend of 87% Shiraz and 13% Cabernet. 18 months in new American hogsheads. It was one of only three Granges ever put into halves – the others being 1952 and 1962. Prior to 1970, when all Granges became Bin 95, random numbers were used. This wine appeared under Bin 2, 10 and 86C. It was the second commercial release of Grange and the first to use fruit from the Kalimna Vineyard. As good as one could have hoped.

- Ken Gargett

Fruit from Magill, Morphett Vale, Kalimna – Barossa Valley. Dry, mild to warm weather followed a good growing season with a cool summer. 87% Shiraz, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon. 14 months in new American oak hogsheads. pH 3.68. Although the wine now known as Bin 2 (Shiraz/Mourvèdre) was first released in 1960, bottles of the 1953 Grange were labelled Bin 2, 10 and 86C. Peter Gago thinks it’s better than the famous 1955, ‘Disguised Block 42’, he says.
Very dark blackish ruby. Shaded rim. Another era. Saddles yet freshness. Len Evans was a boy! This just vindicates great wine. So lively, sweet, long.

- Jancis Robinson MW / BWW2024/Best Wine Critic of the World

100p

Medium brick red. Lovely fresh Provençal herbs/ violet/ mocha/ apricot aromas with hint of demi-glace/ polished leather. Remarkable old wine with complex roosted meat/ herb garden/ polished leather flavours and slinky dry tannins. This is a great Australian wine and still drinking beautifully. Very rare. 87% Shiraz 13% Cabernet Sauvignon. Magill Estate/Morphett Vale (Adelaide) Kalimna Vineyard (Barossa) Blend. 260 cases made. Some half bottles (375ml) were released. First vintage – and then uninterrupted - use of Kalimna fruit – hence the term “Mother Vineyard”. Released as Bin 2 (also Bins 10, 86C and 145)

- Andrew Caillard MW / BWW2024 Finalist