Penfolds launches new Grange and Collection

The 2010 Penfolds Grange was officially launched in London yesterday and joined eleven other wines, spanning five vintages (2010-2014), to form The Penfolds Collection.

Penfolds intend to consolidate their top wines into one annual release.

In a move by Penfolds to concentrate attention on one annual release and marking the 60th consecutive vintage of Grange, Penfolds have developed their premium “Collection” and announced they will be continuing with the once yearly launch in future.

Undoubtedly the star attraction, the 2010 Grange is already garnering critical praise around the world and, speaking to the drinks business this week, winemaker Peter Gago claimed it to be the best he’s seen, even better than the much vaunted 2008 vintage and, whilst not cheap, the 2010 release price of £460 is lower than that of the 2008.

Made with fruit from Penfolds’ top Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards in south Australia, Grange is renowned for its longevity but the 2010 is nonetheless already approachable and critics last night described it variously as “opulent”, “a giant of a wine” and “incredibly concentrated”.

Penfolds’ flagship red was joined by their top white, the 2012 Yattarna, as well as, amongst others, Penfolds staples the 2012 Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon and the 2012 Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz, often referred to as “poor mans Grange” or “baby Grange”.