Grange Hermitage 2018 Penfolds

Latest Pro-tasting notes

15 tasting notes

100p by Ken Gargett
100p by Ken Gargett
97p by Pekka Nuikki / Editor of the Fine Wine Magazines and Champagne Magazine
98p by Gagan Sharma / Sommelier
97p by Pekka Nuikki / Editor of the Fine Wine Magazines and Champagne Magazine
97p by Pekka Nuikki / Editor of the Fine Wine Magazines and Champagne Magazine
99p by Pekka Nuikki / Editor of the Fine Wine Magazines and Champagne Magazine
100p by James Suckling / BWW2024 Finalist

Tasting note

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Written Notes

Grange 2018 (A$1,000) – For me, it is simply one of the greatest young Australian wines I have seen. Truly stunning. It is a classic and cracking Grange.

Like most Granges, a dollop of Cabernet is added to the Shiraz – this time just 3%. Multi-regional but Barossa dominant (69%), with material from McLaren Vale and the Clare Valley, the wine spent 18 months in new American hogsheads. 2018 was simply an outstanding vintage for South Australia. We have seen it with many wines and now we see it here with the Grange.

Deep magenta in colour, near opaque. The immediate impression here is of great intensity but even more so, impeccable balance. A glorious nose, complete and complex. Black fruits are to the fore, and there is certainly oak evident, but of the finest quality and integrating superbly. The palate is fresh but dense and yet supple and seamless and with such length. Powerful, yet it sings and dances. The tannins are abundant yet so lace-like and silky that they are near invisible. Such an incredibly long finish, with the intensity maintained for the full length. Chocolate notes emerge on the finish. This should sail through 50 to 60 years in good cellars and could probably do up to 80 – not that this will be relevant to many of us. What was fascinating was that after tasting and scribbling notes, I realised that I had hardly identified any specific flavours, such is the overall balance and the way that nothing dominates to any extent, the wine already being such a complete entity. Retracing steps and with further investigation, look for mocha, blackberries, coffee bean notes, cassis, licorice, chocolate, charcuterie, beef stock and soy. Every taste brought forth new and evolving flavours. This is a truly magnificent wine, well on its way to becoming a legend. Not just a legendary Grange, but a legend in the world of wine. 100.

- Ken Gargett

100p

The Penfolds Grange 2018 is a deep and opulent crimson-red in the glass, with a dense, nearly impenetrable core that hints at the wine's concentration and power. The viscosity of this wine is immediately apparent, as it clings to the glass, forming slow, elegant tears.

Upon the first swirl, the aromas that emanate from the glass are nothing short of captivating. Rich, dark fruits dominate the nose, with intense notes of blackberry, black currant, and ripe plum. There's an alluring spiciness to the bouquet, with hints of cloves, black pepper, and anise, as well as subtle cedar and vanilla undertones from oak aging.

The palate is a revelation of depth and complexity. A symphony of flavors unfolds, with an abundance of black fruits leading the way. Black cherries, blackberries, and cassis provide a luscious, fruit-forward profile, while secondary notes of dark chocolate, espresso, and tobacco leaf add layers of sophistication. The oak influence is seamlessly integrated, contributing to a velvety texture and a subtle, smoky character.

Full-bodied and impeccably balanced, the Penfolds Grange 2018 boasts a silky-smooth mouthfeel. The tannins are ripe and well-polished, providing structure without overwhelming the fruit. The acidity is lively and vibrant, lifting the wine and ensuring a long, elegant finish.

The finish is incredibly long and persistent, with the dark fruit flavors lingering on the palate, accompanied by a touch of sweet spice and a subtle earthiness. It leaves a lasting impression of opulence and finesse.

The Penfolds Grange 2018 is a masterpiece of Australian winemaking. It combines power, elegance, and complexity in a way that few wines can. This vintage has all the hallmarks of a wine that will age gracefully for decades, rewarding those who have the patience to cellar it.

- Pekka Nuikki / Editor of the Fine Wine Magazines and Champagne Magazine

A robust Grange from a lauded vintage, this wields sheer power with such compelling prowess. Uncompromising Grange. There are rich blackberries and plums on offer, together with brazen oak and abundant notes of blackcurrants, black cherries, charcoal, cola and hard brown spices. So fleshy and intense. Dark-chocolate and cocoa-powder aromas and flavors here, too. The tannins are polished and long, extruding deep into the finish and holding endlessly. Dark chocolate, black cherry, dark plum and more. Impressive. Brazen. One of the great Granges that will drink magnificently for decades to come.

- James Suckling / BWW2024 Finalist

100p

Familial flavours of a deconstructed Black Forest Cake/trifle – chocolate, custard, bright wild raspberry; redcurrant. So many other less-obvious flavour ‘distractions’ - mushroom pâté/duxelles, replete with a beefy accompaniment. Notes of sarsaparilla whirled into the mix. Also, an assortment of fresh red and black liquorice – ‘straight out of the bag’. Mouthcoating - a confluence of tannin/acidity/oak/fruit – all joyously meshed together. A convex mid-palate that generously supports upfront palate grip and a continuum of delight all the way to lengthy, lingering finish. Truly ‘alive’, Upon sitting and with air, all transforms. A second revised tasting-note, however, can definitely wait. There will be ample opportunity over the next half-century!

- Peter Gago / Penfolds

Deep colour. Beautiful and classic with intense blackberry, blackcurrant dark chocolate espresso aromas and wax polish, roasted chestnut, malt notes. Superbly concentrated wine with deep set inky blackberry, blackcurrant, dark plum, dark chocolate mocha flavours, fine chocolaty/ velvety tannins, underlying espresso, malt, oak notes and hints of aniseed. Finishes chocolaty firm with superbly integrated acidity and mineral length. A glorious year for Grange. This will last 50 years at least. Wonderful. One of the greatest vintages of all time highlighting a superb growing season, marvellous vineyard management, the fidelity of the Penfolds housemaking style and generations of imagination and effort. 97% Shiraz, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon. Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale and Clare Valley. 18 months maturation in 100% new American oak hogsheads. Drink 2030 -2060+ 14.5% alc 100 points

- Andrew Caillard MW / BWW2024 Finalist

100p

Plum, mulberries spring electrically out of the glass. Hints of vanilla and anise follow through on the electric nose but mostly primary fruited. Palate is long, with bold plums, spice, black tea and anise. High acidity with lots of red fruits. Vanilla weaves this wine together making it whole. This Vanilla is the common ground between the nose and palate streamlining all the other components together.

- Dannika Wright / Langtons

The 100 point Grange. Aromatically, this is almost like a quality fortified; Blackberry, Plum, dried fig, date, with very well integrated spices - vanilla, anise and boot polish. The palates is broad, integrated and balanced. The quality of fruit is evident: black forest cake, Christmas pudding, cocoa, boysenberry and plum. The length is also impressive. It lingers for a long while. Notes of sarsaparilla and cola nut. Tannin is elegant and poised. A fine effort

- Nick Barlow

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