Penfolds Grange Bin 95 2008

An utterly majestic Shiraz, sleek and seamless, brimming with ripeness on a framework that allows for grace and expressiveness in equal measure. The intensity of fresh blueberry and plum fruit holds attention until the nuances kick in, offering glints of exotic spice, coffee, cocoa, bay leaf and mint. Shows tremendous presence without a lot of weight, the tannins noticeable but not even close to getting in the way. A great wine now, with plenty of room to grow. Drink now through 2040. 330 cases imported.

Very deep garnet-purple in color the 2008 Grange reveals a truly decadent nose with tons of spices, fruit cake and black & blue fruit compote notes along with nuances of chocolate and potpourri. The full and rich, multi-layered palate has a little oak still showing, it is going through a little bit of a structural stand-out stage, but it doesn't detract on the long and complex finish. It still needs a good few years to develop, though this very opulent, expressive Grange shows the very best of this vintage and the vineyards it hails from.

Tar, mint, lifted blueberry and chocolate ganache dance on the nose. The midpalate is seamless, there is an exquisite textural finesse that shines with tar, cocoa, vanilla and blueberry while an edge of minty brightness lends freshness. It is this freshness that characterises the entire wine and lends it timeless poise. Wonderful now but will evolve.

This has all the size and weight you've come to expect from Australia's most famous wine. Huge fruit and huge oak combine in a full-bodied, richly textured package that delivers waves of toasted coconut, vanilla and intense dark berries yet remains embryonic more than five years after the harvest. That said, the texture isn't quite as tight or as fine as some other vintages—expect this to be early maturing by Grange standards, and best from 2020–2040.

Inky purple. Intensely perfumed, expressive aromas of dark berry preserves, bitter chocolate, fruitcake and smoked meat, with a spicy topnote. Sweet, palate-staining blackberry, vanilla and dark chocolate flavors are sharpened and lifted by juicy acidity and show superb delineation and back-end power. Supple tannins come on late and give grip to a sweet, impressively persistent finish with grace notes of floral pastille and allspice. While this wine will no doubt age with ease, I find it almost shockingly approachable now.

A layered and intense red with superb depth and fruit. Full body, wonderful depth and texture with a plush velvety mouthfeel. Flavorful finish.

Sweet and broad on the nose. Then minerally on the palate. A really nice combo! Still youthful but very promising and long. Really exciting. I may be under-scoring it.