Penfolds Collection 2021: 70 years of Grange and two new Superblends

Collectors of Penfolds wines have two new iterations to add to their cellars: the 802A and 802B Cabernet-Shiraz blends.

Described as ‘siblings raised in different environments’, the two 2018 Superblends are part of the 18-strong Penfolds Collection 2021.

In its 70th anniversary, Grange 2017 – released at AU$950 on 5 August (£510/$695)– is 100% Shiraz for only the seventh time. It joins the 1951 experimental vintage, as well as 1952, 1963, 1999, 2000 and 2011.

Scroll down for tasting notes of the 18 wines from the Penfolds Collection 2021, plus historic Grange from 1965, 1976, 1986, 1990, 2000 and 2010

For selected media invited to Penfolds’ Magill Estate Winery in Adelaide, celebrations for the landmark anniversary of Australia’s most famous wine began with a glimpse into a barred cellar room filled with 78 American oak barrels. They contained the 2020 vintage of Grange.

This motherlode of Australian Shiraz represents about AU$13 million (£7m/$9.5m). It still has three years to mature before bottling, but the message behind this private viewing was clear: ageing and patience are essential elements in creating and appreciating Grange.

The new 2017 Grange has moved a significant distance from its origins. While the style’s core philosophy remains fixed – choosing grapes from multiple Australian regions and maturing in new American oak – previous decades of Grange were especially tightly wound and unyielding on release.

In striking contrast, the 2017 vintage (perhaps because it is 100% Shiraz) is especially fragrant and forward. It’s almost a drink-now wine, although boasts a sturdy tannin structure to ensure a long life in the cellar.

Penfolds’ chief winemaker Peter Gago says the result is a hallmark of the vintage. 2017 enjoyed a cooler growing season and later harvest, providing more luscious Shiraz characteristics.

Historic Penfolds Grange, plus new Superblends

A 70th anniversary dinner at Penfolds’ Magill Estate Restaurant on 23 June highlighted one Grange from each of six decades: 1965, 1976, 1986, 1990, 2000 and 2010. It showed the profound textural influence of Cabernet Sauvignon as a tempering agent in the blend, even when used in tiny proportions.

It highlights the strength of Cabernet Sauvignon resources that Penfolds has across Australia. The exceptional quality of the 2021 Penfolds Collection’s pure Cabernet releases, both from the 2019 vintage, underlined this: Bin 407 (released at AU$110/£60/$80) and Bin 707 (AU$650/£350/$475).

As did the two new elite Superblends. These both feature Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz sourced from the same South Australian regions (Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Coonawarra, Wrattonbully, Robe and Clare Valley), but each has a very different profile.

With the higher proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon (68% with 32% Shiraz), Superblend 802A saw each component aged separately for 22 months in new American oak hogsheads before blending. It has forceful muscle and long cellaring potential and will be available in bottle (AU$900/£485/$660) and magnum (AU$2,250/£1,210/$1,645) from 5 August.

By comparison, Superblend 802B, with a more even proportion of Cabernet (55%) to Shiraz (45%), was blended immediately after vintage then matured in French oak hogsheads for 19 months – half in new barrels and the remainder in one-year-old wood – resulting in a more seamless meld. The release date is not until August 2022.

Gago admits the Superblends, intended to be regular vintage releases, are a work in progress that will likely be tweaked in future by the winemaking team.

The Penfolds Collection 2021 enjoys its UK-wide release on 7 September.

Penfolds Collection 2021, plus six historic vintages of Grange

For availability in the UK, contact specialist merchants including: Berry Bros & Rudd, Bordeaux Index, Cadman, Corney & Barrow, Cru World Wine, Farr Vintners, Fine & Rare, Frazier’s, Harrods, Hedonism, Honest Grapes, IG Wines, Justerini & Brooks, Laithwaite’s, Lay & Wheeler, Majestic, Philglas & Swiggot, Spirited Wines, The Vinorium and The Wine Society.

Related content

Penfolds Grange 1951 sets new auction record

Barossa Wine Auction 2020: Imperial of Penfolds Grange 2016 sells for AU$50,000

Penfolds releases Californian-Australian Wine of the World for £545/$700