1953 Penfolds Grange Hermitage

Grape Varieties: A blend of 87% Shiraz and 13% Cabernet Sauvignon the fruit was sourced from Magill (Adelaide), Morphett Vale (Adelaide) and Kalimna (Barossa Valley).

Alcohol: 12.8%

Vintage Conditions: Dry, mild-to-warm weather followed a good growing season with a cool summer.

Tasting Notes:size> This was the first vintage to use grapes from the Kalimna vineyard in the Barossa Valley, which Penfolds had purchased in 1945. 260 cases were made. Also bottled in (375ml) half bottles. Wine received minimal handling and was not filtered. One of three Grange vintages (1952 and 1962 are the others) produced in half (375ml) as well as full (750ml) bottles.

Gorgeous, voluptuous nose; potentially the longest lived of all the wines. Beautiful material. (James Halliday, May 1970)

Dark, dense red-purple -- astonishing. Rich, incredible depth and character. Giant blackberry/cassis, velvety. Will live forever. (James Halliday, Aug. 1983)

Wonderful depth and complexity. Mature and great drinking. (Rewards of Patience, 1st ed.,1985)

Considered one of the finest Australian wines ever made. Fragrant bouquet; complex, intensely flavoured palate. "I can't imagine a greater old wine" -- James Halliday. "One of the greatest wines I have ever tasted" -- Len Evans. A first rank Grange. (Ultimate Grange Experience, Nov. 1994)

...the colour was still strong red, the bouquet an incredibly complex amalgam of spice, earth and berry, the palate almost explosive in its complexity, intensity and length of flavour. (James Halliday, Weekend Australian, Dec. 1994)

Deep, rich stewed plums and field mushroom soup aromas. Succulent, smoky, berry flavours, with complex, lingering demi-glace length, both sweet and savoury. Finishes tasty and dry. Staggering!!! (Tim White, Aust. Financial Review, Dec. 1994)

"Vibrant brick colour. Complex, sweet, truffly/gamey aromas with touches of leather andspice. Soft, silky and delicately balanced with sweet chocolate/berry, game and cedar fruit,very fine, lacy tannins and excellent length. Still drinking brilliantly well. A great Penfolds wine! Drink between now and 2005." (Southcorp Wines, The Rewards of Patience, Fourth Edition, March 2000.)