Penfolds Grange 2018 has been released at £4,340 per 12×75, an 4.6% increase on the 2017 vintage (£4,150).
Along with Grange comes a number of other wines including Penfolds St. Henri Shiraz 2019, Bin 798 RWT Shiraz 2020, Yattarna Bin 144 Chardonnay 2020 and Reserve Bin A Chardonnay 2021.
Today’s release was scored 99 points by Erin Larkin for the Wine Advocate. In her tasting note, she said that ‘this wine comes with high expectations – as does the vintage’ and noted that ‘many producers made some of their best wines in this vintage’.
She added that it was ‘one of the true greats, which will only get better as it ages.’
In his tasting note James Suckling also referenced the success of the vintage. He said it was ‘a robust Grange from a lauded vintage, this wields sheer power with such compelling prowess’.
He added that it was ‘one of the great Granges that will drink magnificently for decades to come’ and awarded a top score of 100 points.
Josh Raynolds (Vinous) also admired the wine, awarding it 98 points. He said that it has ‘a kaleidoscopic, penetrating bouquet’ and a ‘smoky finish that leave a suave floral note behind’.
Today’s release is coming to the market at a slight premium to other vintages currently available.
Buyers looking for value might want to consider the 2013 vintage which received 100 points from Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW (when writing for the Wine Advocate) and is currently available at a 3.2% discount.
With additional bottle age, the equally scored 2012 and 2016 vintages are also available at a small discount.
That being said, followers of James Suckling might find value in today’s release. The critic also awarded 100 points to the 2015 vintage and said it was a ‘much anticipated vintage for Grange’. The 2018 is currently available at a 5.6% discount to the 2015.
The full collection of wines released can be found on the Penfolds website.
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