Grange, Penfolds 1992

This is a very aromatic Grange that seems to be the product of a vintage where the wines are showing extremely well young. It is dense purple, with a sweet blackberry/cherry nose and some subtle cedar and licorice in the background, unctuously textured, thick, full, without as many nuances of some of the greatest vintages of Grange, but very concentrated and dense. Anticipated maturity: now-2017.

The opaque purple-colored 1992 Grange exhibits an unevolved, grapy nose of sweet toasty oak, ripe prunes, black raspberries, and cassis. Full-bodied, with lavishly-displayed oaky notes, this formidably endowed, large-scaled wine should develop into an impressive example of Grange, although my instincts suggest it will not be quite as good as the 1990, 1986, or 1982. The wine was kept open for three days without any traces of oxidation. Give it 2-4 years of cellaring and consume it over the following 20 years.