Ranked #2 of 714 2018 Shiraz from South Australia
99/100
5 Stars
Bob Campbell
Intense, powerful red with cassis, Christmas cake, chocolate/mocha, liquorice, dark berry/cherry, dried fruits, vanilla and spicy oak flavours. Surprisingly accessible with a welcome core of sweet fruit balancing ripe and generous tannins. There is no question about its ability to age, which has not been compromised by being approachable now. Everything I expect from Grange ... and more. Remarkable wine from a top vintage
Tasted: 25/10/2022
Drink: 2022 to 2055
99 Points Robert Parker
This wine comes with high expectations—as does the vintage. The 2018 vintage across South Australia (and cheekily, we could probably extend the accolade to all of Australia) was excellent. It was warm, but without incident, and responsible for powerfully ripe, serious wines. Many producers made some of their best wines in this vintage. So here, to the 2018 Grange: there is spiced raspberry, lashings of salted licorice, red curry paste, layers of forest berries, rendered lamb fat and crushed pink peppercorns to start. In the mouth, the tannins close around the fruit with the same polish and seamlessness as the 2008, possibly the 2004? Very different vintages, but there is a textural similarity for me. This is polished and glossy and so very pretty. It contains 3% Cabernet Sauvignon this year, and 69% Barossa, 18% McLaren Vale and the balance from Clare Valley. Each of the regions brings with it its own characteristics. Barossa brings the red dirt, blood, deli meat and rust. McLaren Vale brings the plush purple fruits with a side of meat and licorice. Clare brings the polish, the opulence and the velvet texture. With their powers combined, this is an extraordinary Grange. One of the true greats, which will only get better as it ages. Drink 2028 - 2058.
Source: Robert Parker.
95 Points James Halliday
Fruit from the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale and Clare Valley. It's strange that the Clare Valley, seldom mentioned in the roster of regional contributions, no matter how numerous, comes up as one of three here. Although I have to admit there's a parcel of beautiful Clare Valley shiraz that frequently finds its way into the blend. It's unclear whether Penfolds' assessment of 'Instantly, an assault of piercing VA [volatile acidity]' is in reference to a passing phase or to the deliberate retention of VA, but it's part of Grange. For me, persistent black shoe polish marks the bouquet of this wine. To one side, it's all about unbridled power, and it'll be at least another 8 years before it calms down. There's so much screaming for attention it's distracting, and senses of proportion are lost. Drink to 2050.
Source: James Halliday.
100 Points Andrew Caillard MW
Deep colour. Beautfiul and classic, with intense blackberry, blackcurrant dark chocolate espresso aromas and wax polish, roasted chestnut, malt notes. Superbly concenrated 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 house style, and generations of imagination and effort. 97% Shriaz, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon. Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale and Clare Valley. 18 months maturation in 100% new American oak hogsheads. 14.5% alc. Drink 2030 - 2060+.
Source: Andrew Caillard MW.