Critic Reviews
97 Points - James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion
“From the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Clare Valley and Magill Estate, 98% shiraz and 2% cabernet sauvignon; it finished its fermentation in 100% new American oak hogsheads and was matured therein for 18 months. Peter Gago has commented it is not as 'Barossa-ish' as the '08, and it's true the bouquet has fragrant sweet and savoury spices, the palate with licorice and black fruits, oak riding high, but guaranteed to be relegated to second place as the wine comes into balance around 2030.”
97 Points - Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate
“The 2009 Grange Shiraz is comprised of 84% Barossa, 8% McLaren, and a little Clare Valley and a little Magill fruit with a small 2% of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. At this youthful stage, this deep garnet-purple colored wine puts forward a vivid expression of blackberry preserve aromas amid underlying cassis, black cherry, spice box, char-grilled meat and chocolate box notes. Surprisingly medium to full-bodied with taut flavors that are very closed in the mouth, it has firm, chewy tannins to structure through the long and earthy finish. Drink it 2018 to 2035+.”
96 Points - Tyson Stelzer, Wine Taste
“The result is a lavish and seductive Grange that juxtaposes generous fruit and sweet American oak with confident tannin structure, though without the finesse or longevity of the greatest vintages of the modern era. A powerful and intricately complex style layered with sweet, ripe berry compote, mixed spice, candied orange rind and dark chocolate and coconut oak, opening out to hints of game and coal steam. It's dense, sweet-fruited and voluptuous, controlled by firm, finely poised, seamless tannins of impressive grip and presence.”
96 Points - Andrew Caillard MW, Andrew Caillard MW
“Betwixt two great Grange vintages, 2009 will always be seen as a dark horse. It reminds me of the 1963 vintage which was finally recognised during the 1990s as a great year. This is classic Grange with intense dark chocolate, dark berry, panforte, licorice aromas and meaty barrel ferment complexity. It's robust in style with deep set panforte, dark fruit, Turkish Delight flavours, dense, chalky but sinuous textures, superb mid-palate richness and plenty of new vanilla, coconut oak notes.”
