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News
The 62nd consecutive vintage release of Grange, from the 2012 South Australian vintage, leads a dynasty of wines in The Penfolds Collection 2016. Unfolding layers of allure, plushness and character, the 2012 Grange is stylistically akin to the 1963 Grange, with a contemporary ‘2012’ personality. The Collection, in its entirety, displays red wines of distinctive refinement and cellaring potential, and white wines which deliver on complexity and vigour; a testament to the enduring Penfolds ‘House Style’ upheld since 1844.
Staying true to philosophy, The Collection can be “opened and enjoyed now, or potentially over the next four or more decades”, says Peter Gago Penfolds Chief Winemaker. Wine Ark, one of Australia’s largest wine storage providers, recently recognised Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz as Australia’s most collected wine in a list identifying the 50 most collectable wines in the country. Released every three years this list has become the go to guide on collectable wines and presents a genuine reflection of which Australian wines are being cellared in almost real time. The cellaring ability for The Collection extends to the 2014 Yattarna Chardonnay; elegant and linear in style, restrained in its beautiful white floral notes which will unfurl with time in the cellar. Celebrating its 20th vintage, the 2014 Yattarna is “one of the great Yattarna vintages!” Gago states.
The nineteen wines, made from across five different vintages, stand proudly in a release that offers multi-region, multi-vineyard blends, single-region wines as well as a single-vineyard wine, from Penfolds Magill Estate vineyard. Across the three distinct styles, the Penfolds winemaking philosophy delivers choice, as shown with the 2014 Magill Estate Shiraz, the monopole which is rich in history and reflects a sense of place. This wine has its own personality, “It is quite difficult to align this 2014 release with another of recent times. 5.2ha of resilient, non-complacent vines!” Gago observed. The contemporary and distinctive single-region persona stands out as a true strength for the 2015 Reserve Bin A Adelaide Hills Chardonnay, recently named Australia’s best chardonnay at the 2016 James Halliday Chardonnay Challenge. The 2014 Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon, is a layered and pedigreed wine which expresses Penfolds knowledge and strength in multi-vineyard, multi-region fruit sourcing, noted as being “…Structurally and texturally alive” stated Gago.
Officially released on Thursday 20th October, many more wine highlights, milestones and anniversaries continue through The Collection. The 2013 St Henri Shiraz is statuesque, brooding and complex, and with this release St Henri celebrates 60 years since the wine’s first commercial release. An anniversary to proudly display the time-honoured and alternative expression of Shiraz that is St Henri.
The Penfolds Collection 2016 is a testament to the entire Penfolds winemaking team’s expertise, passion and experience, a tribute to the enduring narrative of character, quality and provenance, one that is recognised by collectors worldwide.
The Penfolds Collection 2016 is available globally from Thursday 20th October at select fine wine stores and Penfolds Cellar Doors – Magill Estate Winery and Barossa Valley Cellar Door. For more information visit ww.penfolds.com.
Wine Description
The Story
Grange is arguably Australia’s most celebrated wine and is officially listed as a Heritage Icon of South Australia. Grange boasts an unbroken line of vintages from the experimental 1951 and clearly demonstrates the synergy between Shiraz and the soils and climates of South Australia. Grange utilises fully-ripe, intensely-flavoured and textured Shiraz grapes. The result is a unique Australian style that is now recognised as one of the most consistent of the world’s great wines. The Grange style is the original and most powerful expression of Penfolds multi-vineyard, multi-district, blending philosophy.
Wine Information
Penfolds flagship 2012 Grange has received a perfect 100 point score from Australian wine critic Andrew Caillard MW. Marking the 62nd consecutive release of Australias most celebrated wine, the 2012 Grange has been heralded as one of the most notable vintages in recent decades. With unfolding layers of allure, plushness and character, the 2012 vintage is stylistically akin to the 1963 Grange, with a contemporary 2012 personality. Andrew Caillard acknowledges that Regardless of the inevitable point-scoring debate, it is the most exciting vintage in years, he goes on to say of Grange The powerfully expressive, highly authentic and beautiful 2012 Penfolds Grange promises to be one of the greatest vintages of all time.
Vintage 2012
Lower-than-average yields in Australia, as across much of Europe. This was blamed on high winds, drought and low fruitfulness resulting from the poor 2011 vintage. Quality, however, was much better than in the exceptionally damp 2011, with South Australia avoiding some of the weather extremes experienced by other states. Strong varietal typicality is a commonly cited feature of the 2012 crop.