Penfolds is an iconic Australian wine producer established in 1844 when Dr. Christopher Rawson Penfold and his family arrived from England and paid the princely sum of £1,200 for 500 acres of the best land in Magill. He planted French vine cuttings with the intention of producing his own “medicinal tonic” wine.

When he passed away, his wife Mary assumed responsibility for the 60 acres of vines in The Grange Vineyard, which was then producing several varieties. She managed the estate for 25 years, passing it on to her daughter Georgina and son-in-law Thomas Hyland when she retired. The Penfold family continued to operate the business very successfully and retained a controlling interest after the company became public.

Penfolds now has an extensive portfolio that includes the ‘House Style’ collection, numbered-bin releases, special bins, and fortifieds among others. It has played a pivotal role in the evolution of winemaking in Australia and across the world.

Penfolds has earned numerous accolades for its flagship and most iconic wine, Grange, the creation of former Chief Winemaker Max Schubert who aimed to match the finest, aged Bordeaux wines. Initially rejected by Penfolds management, the experiment was kept secret and barrels of wines were hidden behind a fake wall in the tunnels at Magill Estate. With bottle age development, a second tasting was greeted with enthusiasm and production was restarted.

Penfolds vineyards are located primarily in South Australia on prime land throughout the state’s most esteemed viticultural regions. Throughout its history, Penfolds has owned and leased vineyards in addition to sourcing grapes from independent growers. Its grapes are sourced from more than 220 vineyards and grape growers across Australia. This strategy reflects the tradition of multi-vineyard and multi-regional sourcing, first introduced in the 1860s by Mary Penfold, and allows for a consistency of style and quality across vintages, something Penfolds is renowned for.

The original and most powerful expression of Penfolds multi-vineyard, multi-district blending philosophy, Grange is arguably Australia’s most celebrated wine and is officially listed as a Heritage Icon of South Australia. Crafted utilizing fully-ripe, intensely-flavored and structured Shiraz grapes, the result is a unique Australian style that is now recognized as one of the most consistent of the world’s great wines. With an unbroken line of vintages from the experimental 1951, Grange clearly demonstrates the synergy between Shiraz and the soils and climates of South Australia.

In the realm of Australian wines, the name Penfolds is synonymous with excellence, and the 2014 Penfolds Grange offers a testament to that reputation. Hailing from the esteemed viticultural region of South Australia, this Syrah is a masterclass of what the varietal can achieve in the hands of skilled winemakers.

The 2014 vintage has been celebrated by critics and connoisseurs alike, scoring consistently high ratings. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate and Wine Spectator both awarded the 2014 Penfolds Grange a remarkable 98 points. The wine, as described by Wine Advocate, is "rich, concentrated and intense." It is full-bodied, enveloping the palate with a velvety feel and loaded with plummy fruit, framed in vanilla and cedar. An indulgent wine, it demonstrates both power and elegance, promising longevity even by Grange standards.

The Wine Spectator review encapsulates the wine's lavish complexity, noting "gobs of creamy, milk chocolate–laden maraschino cherry, raspberry framboise and Earl Grey tea aromas," with a myriad of other nuanced flavors coming in wave after wave.

The wine is a beautiful red, with 14.5% alcohol content, and is sealed with a traditional cork. The blend is predominantly Shiraz (98%), with a touch (2%) of Cabernet Sauvignon. It was aged in new American oak hogsheads for 20 months, contributing to its depth and richness.

The 2014 Penfolds Grange is an iconic wine, representative not only of its producer but of the power and potential of Australian winemaking. It is a wine to be savored and celebrated, one that will undoubtedly continue to develop and impress in the years to come. Whether enjoyed now or cellared for future enjoyment, the 2014 Penfolds Grange is a wine experience to remember.