Ranked #1 of 17 1996 Shiraz from South Australia
98/100
5 Stars
Huon Hooke
An outstanding bottle of an outstanding vintage. The colour is still youthful, deep and bright; the bouquet explodes from the glass with toasty, nutty, smoky oak and blackberry aromas, and coffee/mocha nuances, laced with traces of tar, licorice and even crushed-ants. The palate is mesmerising: amazingly powerful, concentrated and intense, yet never heavy nor clumsy. It has amazing presence, and is incredibly long, resonating for minutes after the wine has left the mouth. Undoubtedly a great Grange, still quite youthful at 21 years and will still be drinking superbly at 50, such is its vitality.
Tasted: 19/07/2017
Drink: 2017 to 2046
This dark purple-colored wine exhibits notes of sweet plum, blackberry, and cassis intermixed with some licorice, chocolate, and espresso. It is a blend of 94% Shiraz and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon that tips the scales at 14+% alcohol. The wine is layered, unctuously textured, full-bodied with tremendous intensity, moderately high tannin, and a 40-second finish. The wine needs a good 4-5 years of cellaring. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2025. This Grange should ultimately merit a higher score when it is closer to its plateau of drinkability.Source: Robert Parker (eRobertParker.com) February, 2002 by Robert Parker