TN: 1999 Grange v 1999 Hill of Grace

Stuart · Post by **Stuart** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 10:01 pm

The winner is HoG - by a long way.

1999 Grange: Disapointing to be honest. A tired wine out of balance. The nose was dominated by oak, the black fruits struggling to make an appearance, no lifted notes. The palate lacked concentration, the acid had faded, leaving a flabby wine. The saving grace was the exquisite fine grained tannins. Perhaps a dodgy bottle - although no TCA detected.

1999 HoG: An exceptional wine. Great Balance. Still youthful. At the bigger end of medium bodied. Reminiscient of great Bordeaux. The nose was lifted, fruit driven, very complex, oak in balance. The palate was intense, complex, supported by the finest of powdery tannins.

This was my first Hill of Grace. I am interested to know if anyone else prefers HoG to Grange - in general.

Cheers,
Stuart

Mike Hawkins · Post by **Mike Hawkins** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 1:38 am

Definitely a dodgy bottle of Grange. Nothing like the 4 experiences I've had with it.

In general, I prefer Grange to HoG, but not so in 1990. The HoG is mindblowing. Frankly, there are many years (at least 50%) where I prefer Mt Edelstone to HoG.

Cheers

Mike

Craig(NZ) · Post by **Craig(NZ)** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 6:47 am

HOG is a bit more up and down in my experience (which i admit is getting a bit dusty). Price means I seldom try it now and only have one bottle in the cellar which once gone wont be replaced :-(

Agree with mike the 90 HOG was awesome also loved the 94. if you like your wines exotic then HOG is the go, if you like them more compact and structured Grange??

Gary W · Post by **Gary W** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 1:34 pm

I'd have the Grange by a length ahead of the HOG. I reckon those late 90's HOG are a lottery... I love the 99 Grange too...one of my favourites. Even bought some.
GW

JamieBahrain · Post by **JamieBahrain** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 2:16 pm

JamieBahrain · Post by **JamieBahrain** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 2:17 pm

I prefer HofG. Romantic sense of place- very approachable too. Grange in great vintages is hedonistic.

I had some 99 Grange turn up the other day instead of the ordered 96. Perhaps I should have kept them?

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 3:35 pm

There once was a boy called Brett.

He had a sister called Anna.

They liked pet mice.

Because they put their hearts at ease.

tos · Post by **tos** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 4:46 pm

Nice poem/post

From what i've read - haven't tasted them personally - Brett & Anna's mice are no longer residing at Henschke.

cheers
tos