98+ points Robert Parker: "A wine that flirts with perfection, and should rival the 1986 as one of the legendary Granges produced, the 1998 has one of the highest alcohol contents (nearly 15%) as well as one of the highest percentages of Shiraz in the blend (97%). Its stunning purple color is accompanied by exceptionally sweet aromas of blackberry liqueur intermixed with barbecue spices, an endearing, smoky earthiness, pepper, roasted meats, and coffee. Huge, massive, unctuously textured, and extraordinarily youthful, this impressive wine is a candidate for perfection. It should continue to evolve over the next three decades. (Jun 2009)"
97 points Wine Spectator: "A wine of surprising subtlety for the vintage, playing its ripe cherry, red plum and herb flavors against firm tannins that have a bit of grit to them. But those lively cherry and raspberry flavors burst through, and there's a nice hint of green herbs lingering around the finish, which doesn't subside easily.--Australian reds blind retrospective. (2008)"
97 points Jeremy Oliver (International Wine Cellar): "Very deep red-ruby. Smoky, deeply concentrated fruit bomb of a nose: blackberry, dark plum, cassis; creamy vanilla and lightly toasty coconutty oak; and ethereal background notes of white pepper, smoked meats, musky spices, tar and licorice. Profoundly concentrated but velvety-smooth and seamless; impressively muscular and thickly coated with oak, and bound by drying, astringent tannins. Without question the most concentrated Grange of all time, utterly steeped in blackberry flavors; a real show pony. It's also the most alcoholic Grange ever made, and at a declared 14.5% does taste warm and spirity - the first Grange to do so. It also ventures to some degree into the realm of currant and prune. No doubt a brilliant wine, but only time will tell if, with its elevated alcohol and its superripe flavors, this 1998 version ranks with the very best Grange vintages. (Jul/Aug 2003)"
97 points James Halliday (Wine Companion): "Deep purple-red, it oozes blackberry, blackcurrant and licorice from every pore, the palate a sumptuously smooth velvet cushion of small black fruits. It will outlive anyone who can afford to buy it. Drink by 2040. (10/12/03)"
18.5/20 points The World of Fine Wine: "Black/purple. Balanced, composed, and concentrated, with brambly fruit and great mocha richness to smell. Effortless across the palate, elegant, refined, racy, smooth, and supple. The superb quality is already apparent, but this will clearly grow and grow. Drink 2010-50. (Issue #22; 2008)"
97 points Wine Spectator: "A wine of surprising subtlety for the vintage, playing its ripe cherry, red plum and herb flavors against firm tannins that have a bit of grit to them. But those lively cherry and raspberry flavors burst through, and there's a nice hint of green herbs lingering around the finish, which doesn't subside easily.--Australian reds blind retrospective. (2008)"
97 points Jeremy Oliver (International Wine Cellar): "Very deep red-ruby. Smoky, deeply concentrated fruit bomb of a nose: blackberry, dark plum, cassis; creamy vanilla and lightly toasty coconutty oak; and ethereal background notes of white pepper, smoked meats, musky spices, tar and licorice. Profoundly concentrated but velvety-smooth and seamless; impressively muscular and thickly coated with oak, and bound by drying, astringent tannins. Without question the most concentrated Grange of all time, utterly steeped in blackberry flavors; a real show pony. It's also the most alcoholic Grange ever made, and at a declared 14.5% does taste warm and spirity - the first Grange to do so. It also ventures to some degree into the realm of currant and prune. No doubt a brilliant wine, but only time will tell if, with its elevated alcohol and its superripe flavors, this 1998 version ranks with the very best Grange vintages. (Jul/Aug 2003)"
97 points James Halliday (Wine Companion): "Deep purple-red, it oozes blackberry, blackcurrant and licorice from every pore, the palate a sumptuously smooth velvet cushion of small black fruits. It will outlive anyone who can afford to buy it. Drink by 2040. (10/12/03)"
18.5/20 points The World of Fine Wine: "Black/purple. Balanced, composed, and concentrated, with brambly fruit and great mocha richness to smell. Effortless across the palate, elegant, refined, racy, smooth, and supple. The superb quality is already apparent, but this will clearly grow and grow. Drink 2010-50. (Issue #22; 2008)"
| Product SKU | 101991 |
| Producer | Penfolds |
| Country | Australia |
| Region | South Australia |
| Varietal | Syrah/Shiraz |
| Vintage | 1998 |
| Size | 750ml |
| Color | Red |
| ABV | 14.5% |
| Ships To |
