Ranked #11 of 587 2016 Shiraz from South Australia
97/100
5 Stars
Huon Hooke
Very deep, concentrated red/purple hue, the aromas coconutty at first, with traces of graphite and espresso coffee. The bouquet is a mixture of ironstone and graphite mineral nuances allied with charred oak and richly-concentrated almond and chocolate shiraz fruit. There are concentrated fruitcake, dried-fruit and bitter dark chocolate flavours that are very intense and hugely concentrated. Formidable density and persistence, with a touch of elegance - within the Grange paradigm. It's big and powerful but relatively light on its feet for a Grange. It needs several years before broaching. A superb Grange. (Includes 3% cabernet sauvignon)
Tasted: 10/07/2020
Drink: 2023 to 2050
99 Points Robert Parker
The 2016 Grange includes 3% Cabernet Sauvignon and was sourced from Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale and Clare Valley, with a little bit from Magill Estate, in the suburbs of Adelaide. Aged in 100% new American oak (as always), it offers up trademark lifted aromas plus scents of vanilla, toasted coconut, cedar, raspberries and blackberries. Impressively concentrated and full-bodied, with an extraordinarily long, velvety finish, it's nevertheless reasonably fresh and tight, with decades of cellaring potential if properly stored. Certainly at least on a par with such vintages as 2010 and 2012, the big question is whether it will ultimately reach triple digits. Drink to 2050.
Source: Robert Parker.
99 Points James Halliday
Penfolds nailed the great vintage, making a wine that is perfect in every way. The blend of 97% shiraz and 3% cabernet sauvignon comes from the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Clare Valley and Magill Estate in Adelaide, in that order, and as usual spent 18 months in new American hogsheads. Its detail is superb, with light and shade allowing blackberry and plum fruit pride of place, but there's also flashes of spice and licorice. It's as mouthwatering with the last taste as the first, and 7.3g/l of acidity leaves the mouth fresh.
Published 01 November 2020 Drink to 2066.
Source: James Halliday.