Description
2006 Penfolds Grange Bin 95 shiraz, a ripping “A” Grade Grange. Penfolds Chief Winemaker Peter Gago describes the 2006 Penfolds Grange as “A profound and complete offer…. probably more liken to the 1986 & 1996 Grange opposed to the 1976 Grange.
The 2006 Penfolds Grange has a deep core and is deep blood red. Fig and quince paste with cured smoked meats, spice – nutmeg, cinnamon, black pepper and vanillin pod, with subtle influences of teppanyaki, almond and amaretto connects to a dark thread of black liquorice, olive, coffee bean and soy.
Firm on the palate – reverent tannins and oak convey & propel flavours of slow-roast lamb (avec jus), dark chocolate, cola, (almost sounds like a meal in itself) with a semi glazed menthol/rosemary finish. A plush satin like cashmere mouthfeel compounds the initial explosion – the wine is very accessible now, yet perfectly poised to evolve and gain complexity for 30 or so years.
Fruit for the 2006 Penfolds Grange was sourced from vineyards located in the Barossa Valley, Coonawarra and Magill wine regions of South Australia.
2006 was an early vintage, low rainfall and warm weather made for early bud burst and flowering. Summer was mild and warm, allowing the fruit to mature well and with rain prior to harvest the fruit was able to ripen with very good varietal character.
The 2006 Penfolds Grange is a blend of Shiraz (98%) Cabernet Sauvignon (2%) and was matured in new American oak hogsheads for 18 months.
