96 Points James Halliday — Majestic Grange at Over Two Decades of Age

My Wine Man on Penfolds Grange

Penfolds Grange is not merely Australia's greatest wine — it is one of the most celebrated and collected wines on earth. Created by the visionary Max Schubert in 1951 against the wishes of Penfolds management, Grange was initially rejected and nearly discontinued before being recognised as a masterpiece of winemaking. Today it stands as Australia's only First Growth equivalent, a wine that commands the attention of the world's finest collectors, sommeliers, and auction houses. Grange is a multi-regional blend, drawing on the finest Shiraz fruit from South Australia's most distinguished vineyards — Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Magill Estate, and beyond — unified by Penfolds' signature use of American oak and the extraordinary skill of its winemaking team. The 2001 vintage produced a Grange of remarkable power and complexity — a wine that has continued to gain weight, depth, and dimension with every passing year in the cellar.

Tasting Notes

It is extraordinary how this wine has gained power, weight and complexity since first bottled. Now majestic black fruits, licorice and chocolate/mocha notes run through the palate. Great tannins sustain and support the back palate and finish — a wine that, as James Halliday famously noted, would live forever. 96 Points — James Halliday

Style & Drinking Window

Full-bodied and monumental, the 2001 Grange is now in its glorious mature drinking window with over two decades of cellaring behind it. The tannins have fully resolved into a seamless, velvety structure that carries the wine's extraordinary fruit concentration with effortless grace. Drink now through 2030 and beyond. Decant for a minimum of 2 hours — or open the bottle the morning of your dinner and allow it to breathe slowly throughout the day.

Food Pairing

The majestic black fruit depth, licorice, and chocolate/mocha complexity of the 2001 Penfolds Grange make it the ultimate partner for Australian Sher Wagyu Rump Cap M8/9 from My Meat Man. The wine's perfectly ripe tannins and mocha richness mirror the extraordinary fat marbling and umami depth of M8/9 Wagyu beautifully — whether slow-roasted whole, reverse-seared and rested, or carved thick and served medium-rare with nothing more than sea salt and a resting jus.

Why This Is a Smart Buy

At HK$2,999, the 2001 Penfolds Grange Bin 95 offers a rare opportunity to acquire a fully mature, 96-point Grange at a price that remains compelling against its international auction value. The 2001 Grange regularly trades at HK$4,000–6,000+ through Langton's, Christie's, and Sotheby's — making this an outstanding buy for the collector who wants to drink now rather than wait. This is Grange at its most generous and expressive.

Looking for a Different Style?

- 2004 Penfolds Grange Bin 95 Shiraz — 98-point sibling vintage, even greater concentration and structure
- 2012 Torbreck RunRig Shiraz Viognier — Barossa Valley powerhouse, opulent and richly structured
- 2004 Yarra Yering Dry Red Wine No. 2 — 96-point Yarra Valley legend, fragrant and hauntingly complex