The Spirit World

The eagerly anticipated 2004 vintage of Penfolds Grange is set to launch across the world from 1st May 2009, as part of the annual release of the Penfolds Luxury & Icon wine range.  Penfolds Grange 2004 is tipped to be the finest release of this iconic wine since the much acclaimed vintages of the 1990s, and excitement is already building amongst wine lovers.
 
The Luxury & Icon range, showcasing the finest wines in the Penfolds portfolio, has a justifiable reputation amongst fine wine connoisseurs as one of the world’s best wine collections. Each year the new vintages demonstrate the winemakers’ skill in sourcing the finest fruit from the best regions, and skilfully blending them into well established styles.
 
The Penfolds Luxury & Icon wines have been specifically crafted to benefit from the maturing process, and wine lovers can expect to enjoy these vintages at their best from 2012. The much anticipated Penfolds Grange 2004 has a peak drinking time of between 2016 and 2050, meaning wine enthusiasts can expect to receive excellent cellaring and investment returns[1].
 
The new Penfolds Luxury & Icon wine range includes:
- Grange 2004 RRP £170
- Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 RRP £60
- RWT Barossa Valley Shiraz 2006 RRP £50,
- Yattarna Chardonnay 2006 RRP £40
- Magill Estate Shiraz 2006 RRP £40
- St Henri Shiraz 2005 RRP £30
- Reserve Bin A Chardonnay 2007 RRP £28
 
Peter Gago, Penfolds Chief Winemaker comments, “I really believe the 2009 release is one of the best yet for Penfolds, and boasts some exceptional wines. The wait for this Grange release has been much anticipated for good reason, and it is arguably the finest vintage since the stellar ‘90, ‘96 and ‘98 vintages. 2004 was an outstanding vintage in Magill, the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale, where the grapes for Penfolds Grange are grown. Penfolds’ South Australian vineyards all fared the above-average winter rainfall well, and mild conditions followed by warmer weather in Spring led to wines of elegance and intensity.”
 

Full tasting notes as supplied by Penfolds:
Grange 2004: Grange is Australia’s most iconic wine, due to its heritage and innovative method of wine production. The 2004 vintage was matured for 16 months in new American oak, and has a classic Grange structure - tight, defined and balanced. It is saturated with the taste of blackberry and satsuma fruits, while an exotic blend of spices lift the nose. This impressive Grange vintage is ideal with fillet steak and a red wine reduction. Penfolds Grange is made from 96% Shiraz and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, and has an ABV of 14%.
 
Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon 2006: A full bodied wine with proven cellaring potential, Bin 707 is renowned as one of Australia’s finest Cabernets. The 2006 vintage completed fermentation and maturation in new American oak, and hints of nuttiness and pomegranate are evident on the nose. The intense yet firm taste of rhubarb, blackcurrant and a hint of mint make this wine perfect with roast lamb.
 
RWT Barossa Valley Shiraz 2006: The initials RWT stand for ‘Red Winemaking Trial’, the name given to the project internally when developmental work for a new wine began in 1995. Unlike other Penfolds wines, RWT is sourced from a single region - the Barossa Valley - and has an opulent and fleshy style, perfumed with blueberry and blackberry fruit. A subtle hint of French oak can also be detected following a maturation process over fourteen months. Dark chocolate on the palate, with plush velvety tannins make this wine ideal to enjoy with duck terrine.
 
Yattarna Chardonnay 2006: Yattarna is a white wine that was developed to rival the standards set by Penfolds Grange. Ready to drink at release, this is a Chardonnay that gains complexity and richness with age. The 2006 vintage hints at lemon and biscotti on the nose, coupled with white peach and lingering oak notes - a result of nine months spent maturing in French oak barriques. Strong citrus fruits can be detected on the palate, yet a creamy finish is delivered to ensure this Chardonnay has all the qualities of an impressive vintage. Yattarna 2006 is the perfect match for an Italian pasta dish. 
 
Magill Estate Shiraz 2006: Heralded by Peter Gago as the best vintage since the acclaimed 1998 release. This Shiraz is intrinsically linked to Penfolds beginnings, due to its sourcing from the original Penfolds vineyard in Magill. It is a contemporary wine crafted in an old fashioned way, to produce an elegant medium weight style with a velvety texture. The 2006 vintage has flavours of cherry, blackcurrant and cranberry, and a nose of mocha, nut and fig, to make this wine both succulent and juicy. The Magill Estate Shiraz 2006 pairs well with duck confit.
 
St Henri Shiraz 2005: A highly successful and alternative expression of Shiraz, St Henri does not rely on any oak, making it a bold alternative to Grange. This wine is rich and plush when young, gaining soft, earthy, mocha-like character as it ages. Floral scents can be detected on the nose alongside subtle hints of praline and liquorice, whilst a blend of mixed fruits and menthol flavour the back-palate. The 2005 vintage is best served with fillet of beef.
 
Reserve Bin A Chardonnay 2007: As the latest addition to the Luxury & Icon range, Reserve Bin A has evolved into a wine that is now a distinctive, single-region style in its own right, with a contemporary and distinctive Chardonnay persona. The 2007 vintage blends scents of white peach and sweet almond nougat with nutty oak, while a distinct taste of stonefruits delivers a creamy mid palate. This full flavoured wine is suitable for a Moroccan chicken dish accompanied by cous cous.
 
Penfolds Luxury & Icon wines are available from 1st May 2009 from selected wine retailers including, for those readers inthe UK, Berry Bros & Rudd, Majestic Wine, Addisons Wines, Waitrose, Selfridges, Harrods and other independent wine merchants.