1996 Grange

Meaty, savoury and laced with vanilla spice on the nose. Mulberry fruit – rich and stewed in style, with superb persistence. Absolutely integrated in structure, with not a hair out of place. There's a lovely rusty bloodiness on the finish too. This is typically Shiraz and typically Penfolds, in all the best ways. (RH)

Fruit from Barossa Valley – Kalimna, McLaren Vale, Magill. After good autumn rains and a well above-average July rainfall (wettest July at Magill in 10 years), the weather pattern changed with August and September both dry and the October-April growing season less than half the long-term mean. Weather during flowering was fine and a good berry-set reported. Very good year for Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon. 94% Shiraz, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon. 18 months in new American oak hogsheads. pH 3.41, TA 7.2 g/l. Bit tarry and dusty. Very middle aged with the fruit submerged in mineral elements currently but I suspect it will be great. (JR)

6% Cabernet Sauvignon. Magill Estate included in this vintage (replanted 65-70 yrs ago). Very sweet like sugared plums in spiced vanilla. Dense and tight on the palate but a long way to go. Much less sweet on the palate, darker with liquorice, mouthfilling, lacks elegance (yet) and a bit warm at the very end. (JH)