| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | Australia > South Australia |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
The 1982 is another superb example of that. One of the jammiest, most precocious Granges when it was released, it has never gone through a closed stage and continues to drink beautifully. A full-bodied, opulent Grange, it reveals an inky/purple color to the rim as well as a beautiful nose of crushed blueberries, blackberries, smoke, toast, roasted herbs, and road tar. This dense, plush, expansive, seamless, seductive 1982 has not changed much since I had it nearly a decade ago. Grange, Penfolds' flagship wine, is, by many accounts, the most renowned and world-famous wine produced in Australia, and these six vintages from my cellar all acquitted themselves well. These wines are almost always Shiraz, but many vintages include less than 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and there are cross-appellations blends from vineyards in the Barossa and McLaren Vale.
Deep brick colored, the 1982 Grange has an evolved/mature, meat/gamy and spice cake nose with a waft of balsamic, old chesterfield and some pleasant funk. Soft, elegant, fully mature and light to medium-bodied, it still has tons of spice and savory fruit to offer and satisfying length.
Wonderfully warming and comforting in this freezing Swiss ski resort. Almost more of a syrup than a wine, arguably declining very gently now. Round, sweet and not too obviously alcoholic with a lightly dusty finish. Like licking Barossa dust. Not a trace of the very firm tannins that are always so evident in a young Grange. I think this vintage, containing 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, may well have been the one I tried out on a tv studio full of horrified French wine experts on Bernard Pivot’s famous show Apostrophes in 1988. 13%
Blend: 94%Shiraz, 6%Cabernet Sauvignon
Although huge, phenomenally rich, and pure, the 1982 appeared less concentrated than the monster 1981. Nevertheless, this is nos shy wine. Its weight and richness rival anything from California. However, the 1982 possesses poise and, dare I say it, elegance. The color remains an opaque ruby/purple, and the nose offers up sweet aromas of berries, vanilla, toast, and herbs. Intense, full-bodied, unctuously-textured, and moderately tannic, this youthful tasting Grange will benefit from another 3-4 years of cellaring; it should keep for at least 15 more years.
Production:9,060 cases
