The 2017 Penfolds Grange Syrah is a distinguished wine from South Australia. Produced by the renowned Penfolds winery, this vintage is composed entirely of Syrah grapes sourced primarily from the Barossa Valley (86%) and McLaren Vale (14%). It is notable for being only the seventh Grange release to be 100% Syrah. The wine boasts a 14.5% alcohol content and is sealed with a cork closure.
Professional reviews have consistently rated this wine highly, reflecting its exceptional quality. Decanter describes the wine as "surprisingly approachable" with a "seamless meld of fresh red fruits, mocha, and liquorice," and praises its "fabulous bouquet" and "impressive drive." However, they note that "some spiky raw notes stick out at the end," indicating the wine is still maturing. Decanter rates the wine a solid 96 points.
James Suckling also awarded the wine 96 points, highlighting its "deeply spicy and brooding nose" and "sinewy oak tannin." He notes the "big frame of fruit extract" and suggests the wine can be enjoyed over the next two decades. The Wine Advocate echoes this sentiment, also giving the wine a 96-point rating. They emphasize its "ample blackberry and cassis fruit" and "almost decadently creamy" texture.
Vinous offers a slightly higher score of 97 points, noting the wine's "superb clarity and spicy lift" and describing its "youthfully tannic finish" with "resonating cherry, blue fruit and floral notes." The Halliday Wine Companion also provides a 97-point rating, highlighting its "inky density and impenetrable presence" and the "wall of Grange tannins" that mark its structure.
Wine Spectator lauds the wine as "memorable, complex, aromatic, and explosively deep," awarding it an impressive 98 points. They detail a mix of "palo santo, dark chocolate, black olive, espresso, and hazelnut butter" in the flavor profile, with a long finish.
Finally, The Real Review matches Wine Spectator's 98-point rating, calling it a "quite magnificent wine and a great Grange." They note its "toasty-smoky-oaky scents of smoked-meats and toasted barrels" and its "tremendously long and satisfying" finish. Wine & Spirits gives a more conservative rating of 94 points but acknowledges its potential to develop further over the next decade.
In summary, the 2017 Penfolds Grange Syrah is a critically acclaimed wine known for its rich complexity, robust structure, and potential for aging. It is a classic representation of the Penfolds Grange line, celebrated by reviewers for its depth and elegance.