Description
The 2001 Penfolds Grange is a very very very good Grange, not quite an A Grade but not far off it according to those who rate these wines. Robert Parker Jnr awarded the 2001 vintage 98/100 and only awarded the 1996 Grange (which is considered, by Australian folk, one of the best release’s) 91/100. Anyhow, the 2001 Penfolds Grange is made from 100% Shiraz. Only 5 other Penfolds Grange’s (1951, 1952, 1963, 1999 & 2000) have been made from 100% shiraz, all other vintages contain some cabernet sauvignon, anywhere from up to 15% but more recently only 2 % or 3%.
So we all know by now that Penfolds Grange is Australia’s most recognised wine and is also recognised around the globe as one of the worlds best and most consistent wines. It has been made each year since 1951 and it is a collectors dream, seriously people love collecting this wine! Penfolds use only the best grapes from any number of vineyards across many regions in South Australia to make Penfolds Grange. The grapes used to make Penfolds Grange from a particular vineyard one vintage may not make it into the next vintage of Grange, it’s cut throat, the grapes must possess that Penfolds Grange DNA, that Penfolds Grange “Style” and if they do not, they don’t make it cut. Penfolds Winemakers know what they are looking for when deciding what fruit/wine is going to make it into the final blend, they’ve been doing it for years, since 1951!
The 2001 Penfolds Grange was made fruit fruit located in vineyards in the Barossa Valley. Vintage conditions were superb, believe it or not the 2001 Penfolds Grange vintage is rated 9/10. Good winter rains elevated soil moisture levels which helped the vines through what was a very hot vintage. Some more rain fell in March which helped the vineyards and produced shiraz with very ripe fruit flavours.
The 2001 Penfolds Grange is deep, dark and dense. The nose is Grange (you’d hope so), dark berried fruits, it’s vibrant and youthful with a mix of liquorice, freshly tanned leather and dark spices. It is a rich, concentrated and full flavoured Grange with complex dark chocolate, rum/raisin, dried fruit notes, quince paste and liquorice. Matured in new American oak for 17 months, 100% shiraz, drink until 2041.
