1988 Penfolds Grange Hermitage

Production: 10,200 cases of 6 Blend: 94% Shiraz/6% Cabernet Sauvignon Still monolithic, this opaque purple-colored wine possesses an earthy, cassis-scented nose that has not begun to reveal any complexity or nuances. Full-bodied, with high tannin, this closed, thick, unctuous, typical Grange will reward those with patience. Give it 5-6 more years of cellaring. Note: The production figures shown are for twelve bottle cases unless otherwise noted. Importers: PWG Vintners, Monterey, CA; tel. (408) 655-4848, fax (408) 655-0904

A blend of 94% Shiraz and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, this was considered to be an uncharacteristically soft, fruity Grange. Everyone at the tasting agreed with those comments. This wine shows a syrupy creme de cassis, earthy note, some pepper, and caramel. It is somewhat soft and accessible for such a relatively young Grange, but there is plenty of structure and tannin in the finish. It is certainly perfumed and more evolved than some of its siblings that are actually older, chronologically speaking. This wine has sweet, full-bodied, plum, cherry, and cassis flavors, with some distinct truffle and asphalt notes. Robert Parker, Feb 2002