PENFOLDS Grange Hermitage Shiraz 1982

Robert Parker Score: 97 points

Reviewer: Robert M. Parker, Jr. — 18330 Jun 2009

The 1982 is another superb example of that. One of the jammiest, most precocious Granges when it was released, it has never gone through a closed stage and continues to drink beautifully. A full-bodied, opulent Grange, it reveals an inky/purple color to the rim as well as a beautiful nose of crushed blueberries, blackberries, smoke, toast, roasted herbs, and road tar. This dense, plush, expansive, seamless, seductive 1982 has not changed much since I had it nearly a decade ago.

Grange, Penfolds’ flagship wine, is, by many accounts, the most renowned and world-famous wine produced in Australia, and these six vintages from my cellar all acquitted themselves well. These wines are almost always Shiraz, but many vintages include less than 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and there are cross-appellations blends from vineyards in the Barossa and McLaren Vale.

Robert Parker Score: 94 points

Reviewer: Lisa Perrotti-Brown — 22728 Oct 2016

Drink 2016–2022

Deep brick colored, the 1982 Grange has an evolved/mature, meat/gamy and spice cake nose with a waft of balsamic, old chesterfield and some pleasant funk. Soft, elegant, fully mature and light to medium-bodied, it still has tons of spice and savory fruit to offer and satisfying length.