Ranked #9 of 318 2009 Shiraz from South Australia
96/100
5 Stars
Huon Hooke
Deep brick-red to ruby colour; the bouquet reflecting that 14 years of age with roasted meats, toasted nuts and mocha aromas, nicely developed and very complex. Full bodied, dense and concentrated with stacks of soft earthy/dusty tannins. There's a lot of toastiness that suggests generous oak use. It's a mellow wine that is now showing classic matured Grange character.
Tasted: 21/06/2023
Drink: 2023 to 2034
97 Points Robert Parker
The 2009 Grange Shiraz is a comprised of 84% Barossa, 8% McLaren, and a little Clare Valley and a little Magill fruit with a small 2% of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. At this youthful stage, this deep garnet-purple colored wine puts forward a vivid expression of blackberry preserve aromas amid underlying cassis, black cherry, spice box, char-grilled meat and chocolate box notes. Surprisingly medium to full-bodied (it smells much fuller!) with taut flavors that are very closed in the mouth, it has firm, chewy tannins to structure through the long and earthy finish. 406 cases imported to the US. Drink it 2018 to 2035+.
Source: Robert Parker (Robert Parker Wine Advocate) by Lisa Perrotti-Brown. February, 2014
97 Points James Halliday
From the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Clare Valley and Magill Estate, 98% shiraz and 2% cabernet sauvignon; it finished its fermentation in 100% new American oak hogsheads and was matured therein for 18 months. Peter Gago has commented it is not as 'Barossa-ish' as the '08, and it's true the bouquet has fragrant sweet and savoury spices, the palate with licorice and black fruits, oak riding high, but guaranteed to be relegated to second place as the wine comes into balance around '30. Drink to 2050.
Source: James Halliday. February, 2014
96 Points Tyson Stelzer
The 15 day heatwave of March 2008 will be remembered longer than the 10 day heatwave of February 2009, but their influence was profoundly different. 2008 Grange infamously escaped before the heat, but not so 2009. The result is a lavish and seductive Grange that juxtaposes generous fruit and sweet American oak with confident tannin structure, though without the finesse or longevity of the greatest vintages of the modern era. A powerful and intricately complex style layered with sweet, ripe berry compote, mixed spice, candied orange rind and dark chocolate and coconut oak, opening out to hints of game and coal steam. It''s dense, sweet-fruited and voluptuous, controlled by firm, finely poised, seamless tannins of impressive grip and presence. The first bottle dried out on the finish, while the second shone with wonderfully even line and grand persistence - such is the roulette of natural cork. A blend of 98% shiraz and 2% cabernet, hailing from the Barossa Valley (just over 80%), then McLaren Vale, and a little Clare and Magill Estate, matured for 18 months in 100% new AP John American oak. Production was smaller than 2008 and 2010, though just how much smaller is a tightly-held secret. Still cork sealed, alas. Available 1 May 2014. Drink 2019 - 2034.
Source: Tyson Stelzer.
The 2009 Grange Shiraz is a comprised of 84% Barossa, 8% McLaren, and a little Clare Valley and a little Magill fruit with a small 2% of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. At this youthful stage, this deep garnet-purple colored wine puts forward a vivid expression of blackberry preserve aromas amid underlying cassis, black cherry, spice box, char-grilled meat and chocolate box notes. Surprisingly medium to full-bodied (it smells much fuller!) with taut flavors that are very closed in the mouth, it has firm, chewy tannins to structure through the long and earthy finish. 406 cases imported to the US. Drink it 2018 to 2035+. Source: Robert Parker (eRobertParker.com) February, 2014 by Lisa Perrotti-Brown