2002 Penfolds Grange

Grange is both Penfolds and arguably Australia’s most famous wine and is officially listed as a Heritage Icon of South Australia. The 2002 vintage is produced from a blend of 99% Shiraz and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon and was aged for 15 months in new American oak hogsheads.
A spectacular Grange – that needs decades to fully express itself. Totally opaque, black purple colour with black purple hue. Superb nose – perfumed with violet, spice top notes. The palate is structured in such a way as to slowly release its flavour compounds over many decades. Flavours of vanilla, spice and liquorice allsorts – followed by a black pepper back palate. Perfect balance. Very long aftertaste of spice and black pepper. A collectors Grange.
Cellar 15-20 years (2022-2027). Bottle number 74197 tasted.
Alc/Vol: 14.5%

Other Reviews....
Deep garnet with a touch of brick, the 2002 Grange is locked in a time capsule, like many of the 2002s, yielding a very youthful nose of red currants and red cherries, kirsch and violets with some lovely exotic spices in the background. Quite perfumed and pretty in terms of fruit expression in the mouth, the structure is rock solid, with a lively backbone cutting through the muscular fruit and great purity to the finish. If you're looking for that real "Grange" experience, best to keep cellaring it another 5-10+ years.
98 point
Lisa Perrotti-Brown - Wine Advocate 2016

As hoped and expected; beautiful colour; a wonderful bouquet, with black fruits of various kinds the engine, oak in tow. Impeccable texture and balance in the mouth; again, a wonderful array of seamless blackberry, licorice and high-quality oak; destined to become recognised as one of the great Granges.
97 points     
James Halliday - Australian Wine Companion 2021