A powerhouse vintage and one of only a handful composed entirely of Shiraz, the 2001 Grange is a brooding, muscular wine that exemplifies Penfolds’ boldest style. Awarded 98+ points by The Wine Advocate, it boasts monumental concentration and structure, delivering waves of blueberry, chocolate, graphite, and spice within a dense, multilayered frame. Though still youthful and firm, its balance and intensity promise a long and thrilling evolution—one of the standout Granges of the early 21st century.

The Wine Advocate | RP 98+
Published: Oct 31, 2006
Drink: 2010-2030

It is always a treat to taste Australia’s most famous wine, Penfolds’ Grange cuvee (the word Hermitage has been dropped because of legal issues). The 2001 Grange is one of the few vintages of this cuvee to be composed of 100% Shiraz (the others being 1951, 1952, 1963, 1999, and 2000). Aged 17 months in 100% American oak, and tipping the scales at 14.5% alcohol, the 2001 is undeniably one of the top examples of this wine. At this stage, it appears to eclipse the 1998 and 1996. Inky/blue/purple to the rim, with a stunning perfume of blueberries, blackberries, chocolate, graphite, and earth, it boasts good acidity, huge tannins, magnificent concentration, and a multilayered, textured mouthfeel. It is a big, but impeccably well-balanced Shiraz that should shed some of its structure and tannin over the next 4-5 years, and be at its best between 2010-2030+. 

Jancisrobinson.com | JR 17.5
Published: Oct 4, 2024
Drink: 2019-2042

Bottle 1: Blackish garnet. A bit volatile! Sweet and a tad porty. Not the most refined. Dusty, dry, sweet finish.
Bottle 2: Sweeter and rounder, without the volatile-acidity element but it’s a bit dry on the end still.

Penfolds.com

Grange's reputation as one of the world's most celebrated wines continues to grow today. On its 50th birthday in 2001, Grange was listed as a South Australian heritage icon, while the 2008 Grange vintage achieved a perfect score of 100 points by two of the world's most influential wine magazines. With every new generation of Penfolds winemakers, Max Schubert's remarkable vision is nurtured and strengthened.