TN: 1982 Grange

[Baby Chickpea]

<b>1982 Penfolds Grange Hermitage [sic]</b>
Slight brown tinges with mid red hues. Good clarity. On the nose, sweet berries and barely any noticeable oak. Touch of alcohol volatility. The palate is quite lovely and medium-bodied. Still relatively undeveloped and tasting youthful despite its age. But I cannot see it improving markedly and is drinking superbly now. This wine has hardly budged in the last five years (I have had it every year) abut also doesn’t appear to be going anywhere. Good follow through on the palate and finishes with just a slightly tannic shell. Very good length. Tannins supple yet velvety and plentiful (unlike the vicious tannins of the 1983 – one of the most highly regarded but not for me as I do not believe it will ever come into balance). Quite lovely. No hurry to drink up but to me it is at its peak. <b>Excellent 18.0 / 20</b>

[Bytown Rick]

I still have some in the cellar, I haven't tried it lately, and was wondering how it was doing. Thanks for the note.

Rick

[Adam]

Anyone had the 81' recently?? thoughts?

thanks, Adam

[Mike Hawkins]

Had the 82 on Saturday, and to be honest was surprised by its youthfulness. Sweet vanilla and berry nose, caramel, coffee and berry notes on the palate. It did not have the leatheriness or earthiness I expected for a 22yo. Decent length with a dry, dusty tannin finish, much in the mould of Danny's comments.