1986 Penfolds Grange Hermitage

Note: As pictured, this bottle is completely original and has not been clinic-ed.

The Monster of Australian Shiraz, with many, many years of cellaring in front of it. Totally opaque in colour with black crimson hue. Perfumed nose, slowly evolving, with aroma of violets, vanilla, confectionery and ripe plums. Monumental palate structure and flavour – no way is this wine going to yield all just yet. The depth and concentration is very evident. Plum, spice, liquorice and vanilla are on the surface, but more to evolve over the next decade. Dry tannins, but balanced. Very long aftertaste of plum, spice and vanilla.
Alc/Vol: 14.0% approx

First Tasted:  November 2001

Other Reviews....
One of my favorite wines from Penfolds, the 1986 (a blend of 87% Shiraz and 13% Cabernet Sauvignon) is one of the most powerful Granges produced (14+% alcohol). At age 23, it reminds me of the way it tasted around 9 years of age. Inky/purple to the rim with an extraordinary perfume of sweet licorice, crushed pepper, blackberry liqueur, camphor, and barbecue spices, this sensationally full-bodied, concentrated, layered 1986 is still an infant in terms of its ultimate potential. It is remarkable how this wine has aged, and it’s hard to believe how certain wine geeks will subscribe to the aging ability of the Grange, but don’t believe the same is true for other old vine Shiraz wines from the Barossa and McLaren Vale. It just doesn’t make any sense. The 1986 is one of the greatest Granges for my palate, and it appears to still have 25-30 years of upside.
98+ points
Robert M Parker Jr. - The Wine Advocate 2009