Tasted with ttepper at Christie's "The Classic Wines of Penfolds"

Super dark color.
Absolutely incredible nose even at the young stage of this wine.
NIcely sweet, and super concentrated mint, black olive, dark fruit nose.
On the palate it has simply gorgeous structure, balance, and complexity with beautifully integrated dark earth fruits.Tremendous terrior flavors ooze from the thick unctuous liquid they call wine. Super pleasurable tannin that definitely stands up and makes you take notice, but is fairly smooth. It still lets you know this is a very young wine however. Definitely needs time, yet so pleasureable to drink now anyway. Super long finish that purveyed an earthy terrior aftertaste with slight oak.
One note... you'd never know this wine was 14.5% alcohol. I believe this is pretty high when compared to most Granges. Most of Penfolds wines actually for that matter.

Absolutely loved this... but wait at least 10 years if you can and you will be rewarded!!!

RRI 98+

Excellent!!!

This is good news. I plan on holding this for quite some time.

I had this side-by-side with the '01 Integrity (Thanks so much, anthony!) and loved them both but I thought the Integrity was the better wine, and not just for current consumption.

I haven't had the Integrity, but very much look forward to it.

But question.... is it a fair comparison?

rev,

it was a tough comparison. i for one thought the 98 grange was better. don't get me wrong the integrity was no slouch either.

Nice to know my investment is worthy. OK so it's only one bottle but at least I've got one. Thanks.

Rev...

The Grange and Integrity side-by-side were like the Dominus and the Beringer at the VC dinner.
They were completely different stylistically (is that a word?), but both highly impressive!

a few bottles of this is simply sitting on the shelf at the local supermarket over here. I forget the price, but as I recall it's steep.. but not too steep, considering. Unfortunately with the $/£ ratio at it is right now, that immediately adds 10%+ to the price.

I think it's a fair comparison. Two young 99 point Syrahs from the same country.

Costco had it for $215. I seem to remember seeing it in the $180's or so.

Not that I spend that much on wine....


Okay maybe on a CASE of wine....

I bought mine at Costco for $169.99/btl. Looking forward to trying it - in about 10 years or so...

i picked mine up for $155 in PA

Mine was £115 including p&p.

Anthony-

$155???
What are 2 QC '99's worth to you???

I ought to spank you, young man.

the pricing i got on that was not the norm from what i have heard. in ten years i promise to pop one open with you

DR T...

I already tried that ploy. It didn't work for me, either.

That anthonyiez is just too clever to fall for my tricks!!!

A promise from a good Italian is one written in blood.

I will make sure I'm alive 10 years from now.

There would be no honor in him if he did not open it with you, Dr. T. And we know he is an honourable dude.

its a deal dr. t. sometime in the future we will get together and sit down to a nice meal and enjoy some nice aged grange. just make sure you remind me. i can only keep a promise if i remember