2022 Penfolds Grange Bin 95, Barossa Valley

The nose is nothing short of glorious and it is, somewhat shockingly, completely unfurled and open with fresh-picked rose petals, fresh rolling tobacco, and handfuls of fresh earth. In fact, none of the tasting notes has any of the dried characteristics one finds in other vintages. It is majestic, commanding and full-bodied, but also lithe, athletic and certainly more ‘Burgundian’! And I have never thought this word, let alone written it. It is conversational and charming, and the tannins are fresh, fine-grained and imperial. They are certainly big and athletic, but they are also civilised, elegant and downright incredible. This is a perfect example of a perfect, near-drinking Grange. That said, I have no doubt it will run for at least three decades, too!

100 points Mathew Jukes

In the billowing proportions that define Grange, it always tends to be the cooler seasons that I favour, and 2022 embraces all of its power amidst tremendous complexity. All the Grange hallmarks are here, in full cinematic dimensions: fresh liquorice straps, coal steam, black olives, cocoa and crushed ants. Magnificent concentration like only Grange can deliver is supported by a full fanfare of fruit and new American oak tannin structure of fine-grained texture and immense intensity. Another great vintage for Grange, with an incredible future before it! Drink 2052-2067.

97 points Tyson Stelzer

97/3% shiraz/cabernet sauvignon matured for 18 months in new American oak hogsheads. A deeply fruited, powerful Grange release from vintage conditions that play into the hands of those who respect the wine's impeccable pedigree of longevity. Impenetrably dark in colour, with ripe satsuma plum, blackberry, blueberry and black cherry fruits at the base, with hints of ginger spice, black pudding, dark chocolate, pan drippings, purple flowers, barrel spice, licorice, soot, graphite, a light formic lift and a suggestion of something ferrous akin to the tang of a blacksmith's anvil. It's deep and resonant; the tannins are fine and sinewy, rising up through the dense fruit, tending to chocolatey as they coalesce. Acidity is fine and sympatico with the fruit weight, providing line and length as those powerful flavours stretch out fully. Tuck it away for a decade and have a peek, then perhaps make it two.14.5%

97 points Dave Brookes for Halliday Wine Companion Jun 2026

Few wines have shaped the reputation of Australian fine wine like Penfolds Grange. Conceived by the visionary Max Schubert in the early 1950s, Grange challenged convention from its very first vintage, surviving early criticism to become one of the world's most revered and collectible wines. Today it stands alongside the great First Growths of Bordeaux, the finest Grand Crus of Burgundy and Italy's greatest icons, recognised not simply as Australia's most famous wine but as one of the benchmark collectible wines on the planet. Every release is the culmination of decades of experience, uncompromising fruit selection and a winemaking philosophy that has remained remarkably true to Schubert's original vision.

Grange is never tied to a single vineyard. Instead, it is assembled from the finest parcels of Shiraz sourced from exceptional vineyards across the Barossa Valley, often complemented by small amounts of fruit from other premium South Australian regions when the vintage demands. Every vineyard is assessed independently, with only the most outstanding fruit earning a place in the final blend. Matured for around eighteen months in new American oak hogsheads, Grange has forged a style unlike any other, combining immense concentration with extraordinary harmony. The 2022 vintage has delivered fruit of remarkable depth, freshness and definition, allowing the Penfolds winemaking team to craft another chapter in one of Australia's greatest winemaking stories.

Almost opaque in the glass with an inky crimson black core, the bouquet is captivating from the first pour. Blackberry compote, satsuma plum and blackcurrant mingle effortlessly with dark chocolate, liquorice root and blueberry before giving way to layers of anise, clove, cedar and vanilla bean. As the wine slowly unfurls, more complex notes emerge with remarkable precision, including graphite, black olive tapenade, roasting spices, espresso, cigar box, ironstone and hints of crushed eucalyptus. Every swirl reveals another dimension, reflecting the immense complexity that has become the hallmark of Grange.

The palate is monumental yet impossibly refined. A dense core of perfectly ripened black fruits glides across the tongue with remarkable poise, supported by velvety tannins that are both commanding and beautifully polished. New American oak contributes subtle notes of mocha, coconut, sweet spice and cedar without ever dominating the fruit, while vibrant acidity keeps the wine focused and energetic despite its extraordinary concentration. Layers of black cherry, mulberry, cocoa, savoury herbs and mineral nuances continue to unfold long after the final sip, building towards a finish that seems almost endless. It is a wine of immense scale, breathtaking balance and effortless authority, destined to rank among the finest modern releases of this Australian icon.

A wine of this stature deserves equally memorable company. Pair with dry aged wagyu, slow roasted beef rib, venison loin with black truffle, charcoal grilled lamb saddle or simply enjoy with mature Parmigiano Reggiano while contemplating one of the world's truly great wines. Although profoundly impressive in its youth after extended decanting, the real magic lies in patience. Grange has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to evolve for forty years or more, gradually revealing ever greater nuance, complexity and grace. For collectors, this is not merely another vintage. It is another opportunity to own a piece of Australian wine history.