Latest Penfolds 2021 Australia Collection celebrates 70th anniversary of Grange

The Penfolds 2021 Australia Collection continues the leading Australian wine brand’s commitment to its multi-region winemaking approach. 

Penfolds’ iconic Grange, arguably Australia’s most famous wine, was almost never made if its late former winemaker Max Schubert hadn’t defied orders to shelve his pet wine project and continued to work on it in secret. When the Grange Hermitage – as the wine was then known – was finally unveiled in 1951, it went on to become the multiple-award winning wine that catapulted Penfolds into winemaking nobility. Over the years, the multi-region approach that defined the Grange also shaped Penfolds’ winemaking philosophy.

70 years on, this still holds true. Current chief winemaker Peter Gago took over the reins from Schubert in 2002, and continued the Penfolds Grange’s winning ways. The latest range of wines from the Australian winemaker made under Gago’s keen eye, the Penfolds 2021 Australia Collection, not only celebrates 70 years of the Penfolds Grange, but also its multi-region house style.

In fact, of the entire 16-bottle 2021 collection spearheaded by 2017 Grange, almost all are multi-region and multi-vineyard blends. There is a smattering of single-region wines, and just one single vineyard expression.

“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!” crowed Penfolds chief winemaker Peter Gago, who just got inducted into wine magazine Decanter’s prestigious Hall of Fame.

“Long may it continue … and modern Grange vintages such as ’08, ’10 & ’16 patiently await judgement in 2071,” added Gago. Implying, of course, that the 2017 vintage is most likely headed the same direction as its predecessors in terms of ageability.

Beyond the flagship Grange, the likes of 2019 Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2020 Bin 311 Chardonnay, and 2020 Bin 23 Pinot Noir, extol Penfolds’ multi-region approach. The 2020 Bin 311 Chardonnay for example blends fruit from three different vineyard regions – Tasmania, Piccadilly in New South Wales, and Henty in Victoria – while the 2020 Bin 23 Pinot Noir is put together with fruit from Tasmania, Henty, and Adelaide Hills.

On the other hand, expressions like 2019 Bin 150 Marananga Shiraz and 2019 Bin 138 Barossa Valley Shiraz Grenache Mataro adopt a more region approach, if you’re more into exploring regional terroir as opposed to winemaking style.

The 2019 Magill Estate Shiraz remains Penfolds’ sole single vineyard monopole. And rightfully so, as the spiritual home of Penfolds.

The full Penfolds 2021 Australia Collection is as follows (with recommended retail price):

In addition to the 2021 range, Penfolds will be launching two limited-edition wines, Superblend 802.A and 802.B Cabernet Shiraz. These wines are made from parcels normally designated for Penfolds flagships, from the coveted 2018 South Australian vintage including significant parcels of fruit from the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale and Coonawarra with smaller blending components sourced from Wrattonbully, Robe and Clare Valley.

The Penfolds Australia Collection 2021 wines are currently available at select supermarkets and fine wine retailers in Singapore. The Superblend 802.A is available now at a recommended retail price of S$1280, while the Superblend 802.B will be launched in August 2022.

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