I have an opportunity to acquire some Penfolds Grange in various vintages - 71, 82, 83, 85. Definitely a wine I’ve always wanted to try, but looking for any input from those who have experience with older Grange. Thinking about just making an offer on all of the bottles, but not sure if I should prioritize any certain one. Got a couple photos that show upper to mid shoulder ullage. Unclear on cellaring conditions, but this collection is all getting sold off for personal reasons so it’s probably worth taking a shot at. All input welcomed!
71 is a legend and can be a great great wine, the 82,83 and 85s are not slouches either and all will give you a nice drink.
The 85 is in a slightly leaner style than the 82 and 83.
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The 71 is one of the great wines in the history of the wine world. The 82 would be my choice of the other wines.
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The 1982 is quite good. I have had it 3 times in the past 20 years and it has barely budged- which is okay since it is sitting in a very good place! Have never had the 71, but it is reportedly off the charts. These wines really hold and endure for the long term, so I think just about any vintage that is at least good is a safe bet assuming the provenance works out to have been solid.
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A look at the Cellartracker ratings for Grange in the past 5 years shows that the 1971 is the #1 (of all Granges tasted, not just of the 4 vintages) with an average rating of 96.8pts. 1983 is #9 (95.5pts), 1982 is #10 (95.5pts). So If you can, I would buy all three vintages (I’ve only had the 1983 in the past year and it showed superb, incredibly complex, ever changing and with a great structure, still slightly young-ish!). The 1985 is only #49 on that list (92.7pts) and won’t likely bring you the full Grange experience.
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I’ve only had the 71 one time when dining at the restaurant at Penfold’s Magill Estate. It was memorable. Have drunk over a case of the 82 and each bottle was equally memorable. I concur with the post recommending you buy the 71, 82, and 83.
I’m jealous of your opportunity! ![[cheers.gif]](/uploads/db3686/original/2X/0/0ff9bfcdb0964982cd3240b6159868fbdf215b1a.gif "cheers"){kind=small}
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I’m jealous of your past times
used to pound bottles of 81 and 82 for the princely sum of $46.95. Drank well early, mid, late. Wish I had 71. Max Schubert’s story of Grange is a great one.