Ken, tell us about this years Penfolds Bin range releases

[Ken Gargett]

It would be interesting to hear what you find out, Ken.

Interesting to note, normally Grange has a bit of cabernet added, but some vintage are pure shiraz (eg '91, '99, '00, '01). Or perhaps, it's an export only label? (ie not for domestic sale)

there are a few non-100% shiraz granges but it is the same for all. will track down which ones. they don't make one for offshore and one for us.

[Fuzz]

I was more thinking that the label is different for the export market, not the wine itself. (eg changing the volume from ml to cl)

[Tino]

I was more thinking that the label is different for the export market, not the wine itself. (eg changing the volume from ml to cl)

I'm pretty sure that the South Australia Shiraz labelling is for stock destined for the European market, we see that label in the UK. I think it's to comply with EU labelling regulations.

[Ken Gargett]

not sure re labelling but the guys at pennies have confirmed that it is the same wine for everywhere. they are confirming re the non blend years.

also, the labelling varies depending on the market. that is not a grange thing. applies to every oz wine. matter of law. wineries must comply with the laws of the market to which they are sending their wine. and they vary.

[srbbones]

not sure re labelling but the guys at pennies have confirmed that it is the same wine for everywhere. they are confirming re the non blend years.

also, the labelling varies depending on the market. that is not a grange thing. applies to every oz wine. matter of law. wineries must comply with the laws of the market to which they are sending their wine. and they vary.

Thanks for all the research!!! It sounds like they leave the "Bin 95" of the labels meant for the US market

[Ken Gargett]

an update - this from the peter gago, who makes the stuff.

Bin 95 is still used on most Grange labels in almost all markets. It is my understanding that in some markets, however, there literally isn’t enough space on the label …

e.g. in the United States BATF regulation demands that South Australia and Shiraz also be included on the front label.

[Bill Hayes]

Heading up to the Barossa or maybe the Coonawarra on May 24 then watch the footy at the newly renovated Adelaide Oval. Very much looking forward to it. From my time writing a bit of advertising copy for Penfolds I remember that 06 and 08 were great years for the region due I think to the hot weather. Then later the floods came a year or so later I think. Correct me if I'm wrong here. Anyway, if that's the case I can imagine the Grange would be pretty spectacular from 08'. Also heard great reviews from Hill of Grace but alas have never tried it.

[Fuzz]

Personally, I prefer Hill of Grace over Grange.

[srbbones]

an update - this from the peter gago, who makes the stuff.

Bin 95 is still used on most Grange labels in almost all markets. It is my understanding that in some markets, however, there literally isn’t enough space on the label …

e.g. in the United States BATF regulation demands that South Australia and Shiraz also be included on the front label.

Thank You Ken! You are a great resource

[Ken Gargett]

Heading up to the Barossa or maybe the Coonawarra on May 24 then watch the footy at the newly renovated Adelaide Oval. Very much looking forward to it. From my time writing a bit of advertising copy for Penfolds I remember that 06 and 08 were great years for the region due I think to the hot weather. Then later the floods came a year or so later I think. Correct me if I'm wrong here. Anyway, if that's the case I can imagine the Grange would be pretty spectacular from 08'. Also heard great reviews from Hill of Grace but alas have never tried it.

unless you are flying, be tough to make it back from coonawarra that day. barossa or mclaren vale the better idea. saw the oval for the ashes. was odd sitting there with half thee ground empty. shame as i'm sure they could have sold the tickets.

the 08 grange a cracker. if 90% of critics don't see the '10 as 98-100 points, then it will be a surprise.

HoG also a great wine. thought their 09 pipped the grange. but two great wines. these days, impossible to imagine a dud - i would think more likely to happen with HoG as it is a single vineyard so specific vintage conditions might cause a problem. much bigger canvas for grange.

[Bill Hayes]

Thanks Ken. Yeah, I'm not very familiar with the famous Barossa or Coonawarra even though I simply parroted ad copy and came up with visual concepts for quite a few of the Foster's stable when they handled the account. I seem to lean towards the Mornington Peninsula and Margaret River Chards, Pinot Noir and Cab sav though. But looking forward to it and learning a bit more. Also heading up to the Rutherglen Winery Walkabout Weekend. But that's more of a party weekend really. We've gone up for 21 years on a row and haven't really found a wine that I really enjoy - probably because I don't really like tokay and muscat at all. But I don't mind Moscato Asti. I prefer iced reisling, sherry and port. The Bobby Burns Shiraz seems to be the one that people like there and also some of the Pfeiffer reds from the cellar door. But alas my palate is usually dead from drinking to enjoy any of it.

[Ken Gargett]

It would be interesting to hear what you find out, Ken.

Interesting to note, normally Grange has a bit of cabernet added, but some vintage are pure shiraz (eg '91, '99, '00, '01). Or perhaps, it's an export only label? (ie not for domestic sale)

pennies tell me that the vintages that were 100% shiraz rather than shiraz with a small amount of cabernet are 1951 (which was the trial ) 1952 , 1963 , 1999 , 2000.

[Fuzz]

pennies tell me that the vintages that were 100% shiraz rather than shiraz with a small amount of cabernet are 1951 (which was the trial ) 1952 , 1963 , 1999 , 2000.

Odd. My Langton's guide shows the '01 as being 100% shiraz.

2001

Deep crimson. Intense liquorice/ redcurrant/ cedar aromas with some blackcurrant pastille notes. The palate is richly concentrated, fresh and fruit sweet with redcurrant/ liquorice flavours and chalky firm leafy tannins. It’s a touch soupy but it has good depth of fruit and flavour length. 100% Barossa Valley Shiraz.

50% Kalimna Vineyard (Barossa Valley), 50% Barossa Valley. Winter rains replenished soil moistures which sustained vineyards during a very hot, dry summer – marked sometimes by extreme heat. By late February/March cool dry temperatures prevailed stabilising baume levels.

[Ken Gargett]

Odd. My Langton's guide shows the '01 as being 100% shiraz.

2001

Deep crimson. Intense liquorice/ redcurrant/ cedar aromas with some blackcurrant pastille notes. The palate is richly concentrated, fresh and fruit sweet with redcurrant/ liquorice flavours and chalky firm leafy tannins. It’s a touch soupy but it has good depth of fruit and flavour length. 100% Barossa Valley Shiraz.

50% Kalimna Vineyard (Barossa Valley), 50% Barossa Valley. Winter rains replenished soil moistures which sustained vineyards during a very hot, dry summer – marked sometimes by extreme heat. By late February/March cool dry temperatures prevailed stabilising baume levels.

fuzz, i'll check but that came from the pennies global ambassador.

[Tino]

Odd. My Langton's guide shows the '01 as being 100% shiraz.

2001

Deep crimson. Intense liquorice/ redcurrant/ cedar aromas with some blackcurrant pastille notes. The palate is richly concentrated, fresh and fruit sweet with redcurrant/ liquorice flavours and chalky firm leafy tannins. It’s a touch soupy but it has good depth of fruit and flavour length. 100% Barossa Valley Shiraz.

50% Kalimna Vineyard (Barossa Valley), 50% Barossa Valley. Winter rains replenished soil moistures which sustained vineyards during a very hot, dry summer – marked sometimes by extreme heat. By late February/March cool dry temperatures prevailed stabilising baume levels.

Penfold's Rewards of Patience book has a similar note

[Fuzz]

Is that the latest (7th) edition of Rewards of Patience? Need to pick up a new copy one of these days.

[Tino]

Is that the latest (7th) edition of Rewards of Patience? Need to pick up a new copy one of these days.

It's the 6th edition, I haven't received the latest edition yet

[Ken Gargett]

It's the 6th edition, I haven't received the latest edition yet

i have a seventh edition sitting right next to me so it is out. they have done it in vintages, not wines. i think i preferred by wines.

[Ken Gargett]

Penfold's Rewards of Patience book has a similar note

interesting fuzz, the 7th edition of 'rewards' has the 2001 as 99% shiraz and 1% cabernet.