The 2021 Penfolds Australia Collection has been released, featuring a range of wines that are ‘a testament to the enduring house style’ of Penfolds, with the collection also celebrating the 70th anniversary of Penfolds’ flagship wine Grange.

Since it was first created as an experimental wine in 1951, Grange has enjoyed 70 years of unbroken vintage releases and has become a wine renowned by collectors for its identity, consistency and its aging ability.

Penfolds Chief Winemaker, Peter Gago, said: “The original aspiration for Grange was to create a red wine ‘capable of staying alive for a minimum of 20 years’.

“Tell that to sexagenarian vintages such as ’52, ’53, ’55 & ’62. Stunningly drinkable in 2021.

“Long may it continue, and modern Grange vintages such as ’08, ’10 & ’16 patiently await judgement in 2071.”

Overall the 2021 Collection comprises 16 wines, including the 2017 Grange, offering multi-region and multi-vineyard blends, single-region wines and a single-vineyard wine.

Penfolds said: “The Bins exhibit a savoury theme that runs through the 2019 reds, emphasised in the 2019 Bin 150 Marananga Shiraz which is reflective of the Barossa Valley in this year.”

Adding to this year’s Collection, Penfolds will launch two limited-edition wines made from parcels destined for Penfolds flagships: Superblend 802.A and 802.B Cabernet Shiraz.

“These two new wines are immediately Penfolds, yet different, propelling varied attributes that will challenge and engage. Spoilt by choice – A-Grade Cabernet Sauvignon and A-Grade Shiraz from a wonderful harvest; French and American oak barrels of the highest quality, and that much-coveted ingredient, time. And, winemaking blending freedom to re-configure the expected”, said Gago.

Carefully selected from the 2018 South Australian vintage, both Superblend wines include significant parcels of fruit from the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale and Coonawarra with smaller blending components also sourced from Wrattonbully, Robe and Clare Valley.

The pair will be released sequentially and are designed to be collected. Superblend 802.A will be available from September 2021, RRP AUD$900 each (750ml). Superblend 802.B will be launched a year later in August 2022.

The Australia Collection 2021 wines are available now at Penfolds Cellar Doors and select fine wine stores globally.

Andy Young

Andy joined Intermedia as Editor of The Shout in 2015, writing news on a daily basis and also writing features for National Liquor News. Now Managing Editor of both The Shout and Bars and Clubs.

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