Description
Penfolds has been a pioneer in the world of winemaking since its establishment in 1844 by Dr.
Christopher and Mary Penfold.
The company’s success has been driven by a lineage of visionary winemakers who have pushed the development of the company to extraordinary, bold new heights.
Mary Penfold’s reign at the helm of Penfolds saw years of determination and endeavour, experimenting with new methods in wine production.
In 1948, Max Schubert became the company’s first Chief Winemaker and he propelled Penfolds onto the global stage with his experimentation of long-lasting wines – the creation of Penfolds Grange in the 1950s.
Soon, the medals began flowing, and Grange quickly became one of the most revered wines around the world.
In 2012, Penfolds released its most innovative project to date – 12 handcrafted ampoules of the rare 2004 Kalimna Block Cabernet Sauvignon.
Today, Penfolds continues to hold dear the philosophies and legends that have driven the company’s success since its establishment in 1844.
Schubert joined Penfolds as a messenger boy in 1931 and by 1948, he became Penfolds’ first Chief Winemaker.
In the latter part of 1950, Schubert was sent to Europe to investigate winemaking practices in Spain and Portugal.
On a side trip to Bordeaux, Schubert was inspired and impressed by the French cellared-style wines and dreamed of making ‘something different and lasting’ of his own.
Combining traditional Australian techniques, inspiration from Europe and precision winemaking practices developed at Penfolds, Schubert made his first experimental wine in 1951.
In 1957, Schubert was asked to show his efforts in Sydney to top management, invited wine identities and personal friends of the board.
To his horror, the Grange experiment was universally disliked and Schubert was ordered to shut down the project.
Max continued to craft his Grange vintages in secret, hiding three vintages ’57, ’58 and ’59, in the depths of the cellars.
Eventually, the Penfolds board ordered production of Grange to restart, just in time for the 1960 vintage.
From then on, international acknowledgment and awards were bestowed on Grange, including the 1990 vintage of Grange, which was named Wine Spectator’s Red Wine of the Year in 1995.
Today, Grange’s reputation as one of the world’s most celebrated wines continues to grow.
On its 50th birthday in 2001, Grange was listed as a South Australian heritage icon, while the 2008 Grange vintage achieved a perfect score of 100 points by two of the world’s most influential wine magazines.
With every new generation of Penfolds winemakers, Max Schubert’s remarkable vision is nurtured and strengthened.
Penfolds Bin 95 Grange Shiraz is the benchmark by which all other reds in Australia and overseas are often measured.
This wine has many reasons for its success, including concentration of flavour, complexity and longevity.
Grange blossoms with 15 to 20 years of bottle age, when most other reds have passed their best and better vintages can live and continue developing for decades longer.
The Penfolds Bin 95 Grange Shiraz 1994 represents over 40 years of winemaking excellence, first produced by Max Schubert in 1951.
The grapes for this wine were sourced from the Barossa Valley, Coonawarra and McLaren Vale regions.
The Barossa Valley experienced a drier than average growing season, with good sugar levels, alcohols and ripe flavours realized.
McLaren Vale had good rainfall and mild temperatures, while Coonawarra had a warm, very dry autumn followed by a cool and sometimes wet summer.
Penfolds Bin 95 Grange Shiraz 1994 is made from 89% Shiraz and 11% Cabernet Sauvignon and was aged in 100% new American oak for 18 months.
The result is a wine that has a concentration of dark fruit flavours, a complex aroma and a long finish.
The Penfolds Bin 95 Grange Shiraz 1983 is a wine that delivers on its promises.
It has a dark plum colour with a brick red rim.
The nose is rich and complex, with flashes of green tea leaf and truffle, interlocked with freshly tanned leather and savoury notes, prune and stewed blueberry fruits.
The classy oak (cedar) is elevated, yet not overstated, by smoky barrel ferment character.
On the palate, this wine is an opulent, intense, hedonistic experience.
The layers of massive Shiraz fruit and expertly
