Grange is arguably Australia’s most celebrated wine and is officially listed as a Heritage Icon of South Australia. Grange boasts an unbroken line of vintages from the experimental 1951 and clearly demonstrates the synergy between Shiraz and the soils and climates of South Australia.  Penfolds Grange utilises fully-ripe, intensely-flavored and textured Shiraz grapes. The result is a unique Australian style that is now recognized as one of the most consistent of the world’s great wines. The Grange style is the original and most powerful expression of Penfolds multi-vineyard, multi-district, blending philosophy.

Vintage 2003 is 97% Shiraz, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon from estate vineyards in Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Langhorne Creek, Coonawarra, Magill Estate (Adelaide). 

Wine Spectator, October 2008, 94/100: "Supple ripe and generous with its blueberry plum and mocha flavors riding easily over finely wrought tannins and extending into the long expressive finish. Rich complex and evocative this has plenty of flavor packed into a beautifully balanced package. Drink now through 2020. 680 cases imported."

Stephen Tanzer's IWC, September 2008, 93/100: "Seductively perfumed nose offers cassis blueberry cherry-cola violet and dried fig scents with a suave undercurrent of smoky minerals. Deep finely etched cherry and dark berry flavors are complicated by mocha and candied licorice becoming riper with air. Full fleshy and sweet on the impressively long finish which is nicely braced by dusty tannins. This is more energetic than most wines from this vintage."

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, February 2009, 92/100: "Penfolds- iconic 2003 Grange is Shiraz blended with 3.5% Cabernet Sauvignon from Coonawarra. It was aged for 15 months in 100% new American oak. Opaque purple-colored it offers up aromas of cedar cigar box leather Asian spices and blueberry. It will evolve for 5-7 years and drink well from 2014 to 2030."

James Halliday, July 2008, 95/100: "Deep and bright colour; major surprise along the lines of the '00, albeit in very different style; here there is density and structure; the fruit is rich, but not spongy or dead. Ultra careful selection." 

Wine & Spirits, February 2009, 93/100: "The warm, dry conditions of the 2003 vintage come across in the roasted cherry flavors of this wine. Initially, there's some burn to it, like the smoke as a fire settles into glowing coals. Air brings out the beautiful, dark fruit, which reads as plump, relaxed and silky. A relatively subtle vintage of Grange, this has the intensity and firmness to age with grace."

Producer's Notes:

Deep purple to crimson. Intense blackberry, praline, herb garden, malty aromas with graphite, leafy notes. Ample blackberry, brambly flavours with fine grippy tannins, plenty of mid-palate richness and mocha, malty oak. A robust yet balanced wine with plenty of vigor and freshness.  Drinking Window: 2016 ••• 2045

*Please note that this is a 1.5L bottle.