95 Points James Halliday
Full crimson, with a purple rim; a 98/2% blend of shiraz and cabernet sauvignon that exudes power and authority; the bouquet is already complex, the American oak making an impact as it always does when Grange is in its youth, the palate with multiple layers of predominantly black fruits; the tannins, like the oak, need to soften, and should do so well before the fruit starts to fade. Follows the Grange pattern, with 21 months in the 100% new American oak in which it finished its fermentation. A good grange, but not a great one. Drink to 2030.
Source: James Halliday. February, 2012
96 Points Tyson Stelzer
2007 is a thoroughly worthy Grange and an outstanding expression of a hot drought year, albeit the least vintage of Grange since 2003. The season is generally characterised by the drying tannin finish of drought stressed vines, but it is a credit to Penfolds'' fruit sources and winemaking polish that this deficiency is but a subtle suggestion here. A dense, viscous core of vibrant black fruit swirls with layers of signature Grange exoticity: black olives, soy, balsamic, crushed ants, cedar, liquorice and dark chocolate, lingering silky, seamless and mesmerisingly persistent. This will not be a long-lived wine by Grange standards, but it calls for least a decade to bring down an impenetrable wall of Penfolds tannins. 97% shiraz and 3% cabernet from Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale and Magill Estate. Drink 2022 - 2027.
Source: Tyson Stelzer.
The 2007 Penfolds Grange is comprised of 97% Shiraz and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon coming predominately from Barossa vineyards with smaller proportions from Magill Estate and McLaren Vale. It was matured for 21 months in 100% new American oak hogsheads. Very deep garnet-purple in color, the nose is intensely scented of vibrant blueberry preserve, mulberry and kirsch aromas over hints of cedar, mocha, vanilla and anise. The full bodied palate is richly fruited with pure black berry and baking spice flavors offset by crisp acidity and a firm level of velvety tannins, finishing long. This is quite an opulent, forward Grange, which is very tempting to drink now, though of course will reward at least 5-10 years of cellaring and should keep to 2030+. Source: Robert Parker (In Asia) May, 2012 by Lisa Perrotti-Brown