Penfolds Grange 1996

Now fully mature at three decades old, the 1996 Penfolds Grange is an archetypal example of Australia's most celebrated wine - concentrated, balanced and powerfully structured, still shrouded in opulent fruit.

The 1996 shows a vibrant plum red colour with aromas of cinnamon and mixed spice alongside blackcurrant, blueberry and boysenberry fruit, savoury underlying notes of earth, cold tea and roast chestnuts, plus barrel-ferment richness. On the palate it is concentrated and structured, with blueberry at its core and thick, ripe tannins beneath layers of opulent fruit.

• Producer: Penfolds
• Country: Australia
• Region: South Australia
• Appellation: Barossa Valley
• Vintage: 1996
• Grape: Predominantly Shiraz (Grange's signature blend)
• Bottle size: 75cl
• Alcohol: 14% ABV
• Style: Full-bodied dry red wine, now mature
• Critic score: 98 points, The Wine Advocate (Robert Parker); 97 points, Jeremy Oliver
• Serving temperature: 17-18C
• Decanting: 30-45 minutes recommended
• Food pairing: Wagyu steak, game and aged hard cheeses
• Storage: Store horizontally in a cool, dark place with a stable temperature
• Drinking window: Mature and drinking beautifully now