Grange BIN 95 - Penfolds

The legendary Grange BIN 95 - Penfolds fills the glass with a deep dark purple that turns into dense garnet red towards the rim. From the very first glance, it reveals pure concentration and great maturity. On the nose, it unfolds a multi-layered, almost opulent bouquet that continues to open up with every minute. Dense aromas of black cherry, blackberry and cassis rise up, joined by warm notes of plum compote and ripe blueberry.

The fine signature of barrique aging wraps around the fruit like a noble frame. Fine oak, cedarwood and cigar box combine with dark chocolate, cocoa, espresso and a hint of liquorice. Spicy nuances of black pepper, clove and a touch of star anise create tension. Light notes of graphite and earthy minerality point to its origins in the great red soils of South Australia.

With some air, a second, more delicate layer emerges. Floral hints of violet and dried rose appear, followed by dried herbs such as thyme and rosemary. Vanilla, coconut and a hint of caramel stem from maturation in small oak barrels and add a noble sweetness to the bouquet without ever becoming dominant. The aroma appears dense, complex and at the same time precisely structured.

On the palate, Grange BIN 95 - Penfolds shows itself powerful, muscular and yet in perfect balance. The texture glides silkily over the tongue, carried by ripe black fruit and rich spice. Blackcurrant, blackberry and juicy morello cherry shape the opening. On the mid-palate, dark chocolate, mocha and fine roasted aromas join in, giving the wine enormous depth and complexity.

The tannin structure impresses with great density and, at the same time, fine polish. The tannins feel ripe, velvety and yet gripping. They give the wine backbone and enormous potential for long ageing. The acidity is precise, clear and very well integrated. It lends freshness and definition to the powerful fruit and ensures that the wine never feels heavy.

The mouthfeel displays an impressive combination of concentration, elegance and length. The body feels full and powerful, yet always focused. A long, multi-layered finish unfolds on the palate. Dark berries, chocolate, espresso, tobacco and fine oak spice linger. Even minutes after the last sip, the play of aromas remains clearly present on the palate.

The style of Grange BIN 95 - Penfolds embodies the epitome of great New World red wines. It shows opulent fruit, dark spice, precise structure and iconic depth. Shiraz brings richness, dark berry fruit and peppery spice. Cabernet Sauvignon contributes structure, cassis notes, fine bitterness and enormous ageing potential. The result shows impressive harmony.

The typical aromas of this exceptional wine are multi-layered. A look at its aromatic world reveals:

• Blackcurrant, blackberry and ripe plum
• Dark chocolate, cocoa, espresso and mocha
• Noble oak, cedarwood, cigar box and tobacco
• Black pepper, liquorice, clove and dried herbs
• Fine vanilla, caramel and a hint of coconut

The Grange is ideally suited for grand occasions, for collectors and for pleasurable evenings in a small circle. For the perfect place in the life of a wine enthusiast, these scenarios can help:

1. As an iconic soloist for meditating and discovering its many layers
2. As the highlight of a festive menu with carefully selected dishes
3. As a valuable gift for special anniversaries and milestones
4. As a matured rarity within a sophisticated tasting

South Australia offers ideal conditions for the Grange. Warm days and cool nights produce ripe grapes with intense colour, dense fruit and lively acidity. Different sites and soils, from red clay to sandy parcels, deliver complex grapes. Penfolds makes targeted use of this diversity and relies on a cuvée of selected Shiraz and Cabernet components that unite the best of the region.

Production of Grange BIN 95 from Penfolds

The grapes for the Grange come from various top sites in South Australia. Penfolds selects parcels that produce grapes with exceptional ripeness and structure year after year. Warm, sunny conditions foster dense aromas. The cool nights preserve freshness and tension, which give the wine elegance and balance.

Shiraz forms the heart of the cuvée. The variety brings rich dark fruit, fullness and spicy depth. Cabernet Sauvignon complements it with cassis, firm structure and a striking tannin architecture. In this way, a wine is created that unites power and finesse and gains in complexity over decades.

The harvest is selective, often carried out in several passes. Ripe grapes are gently brought to the winery in small containers. There, the team sorts the fruit again and removes everything that does not belong in the wine. This commitment to painstaking detail later shows in the glass through the impressive clarity of the aromas.

For the Grange, the winery works with classic fermentation in open fermenters. The must remains in intense contact with the skins. Gentle punching down or pumping over of the cap extracts colour, tannin and aromas. The fermentation temperature is controlled and rather warm. This results in deep extraction while preserving freshness and precision.

After fermentation, the wine is matured for around 18 months in small barriques. Penfolds relies heavily on new oak. The wood comes from carefully selected cooperages and imparts the wine’s typical notes of oak, chocolate, vanilla and roasted aromas. The choice of wood plays a central role in the style of the Grange.

During the maturation in barrique, the wine slowly clarifies naturally. Regular checks and careful racking keep the quality of the wine at the highest level. The long time in wood ensures rounded tannins, great depth and the multi-layered character that has made this wine famous worldwide.

After barrel ageing, the cuvée is carefully assembled. The individual components from different sites are brought together into a wine that perfectly reflects the Penfolds style. Power, density, elegance and ageing potential are the focus. Finally, the Grange matures further in the bottle before it finds its way to the connoisseur.

Serving recommendations for Grange BIN 95 from Penfolds

This iconic red wine shows its strengths best when matched with the right dishes on the plate. Power, structure and depth call for intense, aromatic food. Juicy grilled beef, ribeye or porterhouse with a pronounced crust harmonises perfectly with the dense fruit and ripe tannins.

Braised dishes also create a perfect interplay. Braised leg of lamb with herbs, lamb shank with red wine jus or slow-cooked roast beef are excellent matches. The dark roasted aromas of the meat combine with the chocolate, coffee and oak spice in the wine to create an impressive symphony of flavours.

Game dishes are equally well suited. Venison, deer or wild boar with dark sauce, cranberries and root vegetables make exciting partners. The wine’s lively acidity brings freshness to the combination, while the powerful structure stands up to the intense meat.

For cheese lovers, matured hard cheese is recommended. Well-aged Cheddar, Manchego or old Gouda are harmonious companions. Blue cheese works in combination with a fruity element, such as figs or plum chutney, when the wine’s intense spice picks up these aromas.

The Grange shines as the crowning finale of a multi-course menu, as the highlight of a festive dinner, or as a soloist on a quiet evening. It accompanies special moments, anniversaries and milestones and leaves a lasting impression. Those who enjoy it in peace for two discover layer after layer of its complex inner life.

For optimal enjoyment, a serving temperature of about 16 to 18 degrees is recommended. A decanter supports the wine, especially in its younger years. Aeration allows the aromas to open more quickly and reveal their depth. A large, bowl-shaped red wine glass is ideal, as it gives this powerful cuvée room to unfold.

With proper storage in a cool, dark place with a constant temperature, the Grange reveals fascinating maturity over many years. The fruit gradually steps back. Complex notes of truffle, leather, tobacco and dried fruit come increasingly to the fore. Thus, every vintage of this wine becomes its own exciting journey of discovery in taste.

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