Distinguished Langtons Classification. A piece of Australian wine industry folklore, Michael was conceived as an exclusive bottling of two exceptional barrels, it still represents Wynn's best of vintage. Named after Wynn's young son, Michael 1955 is a legend of the Australian wine industry. It gained much richness from the prior use fortified wine cask in which it was matured. Good bottles of the original release still represent a memorable tasting experience. An expression of the finest Coonawarra vineyards, only ever made in the most outstanding vintage years.

Excellent Langtons Classification. A multiple trophy and gold winner at national and international wine shows. Acknowledged as one of Australia's and indeed one of the new world's finest Cabernet Sauvignon. A long term cellar dweller with concentration and intensity of flavour, this immensely powerful wine requires long term ageing, ten or twenty years, to fully appreciate its complexity.

Wolf Blass Grey was originally produced exclusively from Langhorne Creek Cabernet Sauvignon. The region is renowned for its alluvial soil which produces sensational Cabernet wines. 1995 was one of the driest vintages in South Australia for many years, resulting in Cabernet Sauvignon of intense varietal characters. Deep and entrancing with concentrated and minty menthol dark tarry fruits, lavishly treated with smoky, creamy and treacle oak, showing excellent varietal berry characters, there are ample nuances of cassis, curranty and violet undertones.

A very highly rated year, from a cracker of a growing season across South Australia, especially for the pure varietals. A dry and cool stretch throughout the vintage lead to generously flavoured Cabernet berries which ripened long and perfect in the favourable Indian summer. Typically redolent with peppermint and eucalypt, heady berry fruit aromas, all the trademarks and fragrances which identify good Langhorne Creek Cabernet, the palate is full bodied with exceptional fruit flavours, pearly oak, and a refined finish.

Langhorne Creek is renowned for its deep, rich soil, which produces Cabernet wines of great richness and enormous depth of flavour. This superlative Cabernet growing district is renowned for rich soils, which drives the development of powerful characters in the local fruit. Wolf Blass was blessed with an extended Indian summer for it's source vineyards, the combination of a cooler vintage and late, warm ripening conditions lead to Langhorne Creek Cabernet Sauvignon which really was the pick of the pick for reds that year.

Grey Label has always been produced from the best Cabernet Sauvignon that Wolf Blass can source, from the finest vineyards in Langhorne Creek. Grey Label is a very special member of the Wolf Blass wine family. Apart from being the founder's favourite wine, it was the first to carry his name when released in 1967. This legendary wine is conspicuous for it's regional eucalypt and mint characters, savoury tannins and generous, black cherry flavoured palate. Grey Label traditionally mates well with chargilled, braised or roasted red meats.

A hallmark label, a wine of impeccable character and credentials, regularly claiming a litany of trophies and medals at international wine shows. The Classic Brown Label, from the year that saw Wolf Blass claim International Winemaker of the Year at the London International, is a magnificent example of why Australia rapidly gained repute through Wolf Blass, for the production of world class Shiraz. Wolf Blass icon winemaker John Glaetzer's Classic Shiraz was regularly the most successful entrant in the Shiraz classes during this period.

From the sumptuous 1991 vintage, the year before Wolf Blass won Trophy for International Winemaker of the Year at the International Wine and Spirit Competition. Enjoying luxuriant access to a supply of old vine fruit, from seriously good cool climate vineyards renowned for producing full flavoured, robust Shiraz. Only the finest quality batches from the vintage was released under this label, personally selected by Wolf Blass from premium parcels in the Barossa and Eden Valleys, Clare, and the McLaren Vale.

From the exceptional 1991 vintage, this smooth and elegant edition is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Shiraz, sourced from McLaren Vale, Coonawarra and Clare Valley. The bouquet has the typical Black Label intensity of rich chocolate, mint and fruit aromas complexed by vanilla oak. Plump and hedonistic, full bodied and intense with blackberry fruits, integrated wood and incredible warmth, this sumptuous and historic wine sits ready to drink alongside succulent, slowly braised meats in rich wine-based sauces.

The history of Bodegas Vega Sicilia began in 1848, when Toribio Lecanda bought a 2,000 hectare property from the Marquis of Valbuena. In 1864, Eloy Lecanda established the wineworks which epitomise the romance of Tempranillo. Vega Sicilia continue to deliver concentrated and elegant wines.

Vega Sicilia is unquestionably a unique wine, one of the great Spanish classics. It's personality is derived from the quality of fruit, rigour at elevage and uncompromising attention to detail throughout vinification. From a universal perspective, the peculiar characteristics of Unico Cosecha define it as a very Spanish wine, a living national treaure that commands and receives respect at it's very mention. Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Merlot, a complex but profound cepage of great elegance and finesse, with the capacity to evolve for a very long time.

From the parched and wizzened old vines on the austere and distinguished St Peters vineyard in Victoria's dry western grazing lands. The Seppelt St Peters Grampians Shiraz is a legendary wine from the House of Seppelt, combining the fruit of precious low yielding old vines with one and a half centuries of experience. St Peters embodies the unique style of Grampians Shiraz and demonstrates the ability of these old vineyards to yield extraordinary wines with outstanding palate structure, immense weight of fruit and refined, elegant tannins.

The 1999 is a stepping-stone on the long pathway of Petaluma's success at crafting the ultimate Coonawarra Merlot. The paradox of supreme quality is always how to achieve in the vineyard, concentration and structure without sacrificing the finesse which is a hallmark of the world's best Merlot. Coonawarra's innate suitability for this varietal, and Petaluma's distinguished sites, offer a mosaic which maximises the quality of this exceptional wine.

Excellent Langtons Classification. The batches of fruit were kept intentionally small, with further selectivity during the winemaking to ensure only fully ripe barrels were incorporated into the finished Cuvee.

Labelled very plainly as Penfolds Claret, Grange Hermitage 1967 claimed the seventh Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy for best one year old red in the land. 1965 Grange had already claimed the same accolade two years previously. Individual bottles of vintage 1967 may be labelled as Bin 74 or Bin 95. Max Schubert describes vintage 1967 as sweet, complex and intense, stocky /truffle like. Developed with ripe, concentrated, meaty chocolate flavours, silky tannin structure and long, well balanced finish.

Grange combines the intensity and stature of peerless quality new world Shiraz, with the complementary influence of completely new, fine American oak. Grange 1965, plainly labelled as Penfolds Claret, claimed the coveted Jimmy Watson Trophy, Australia's highest and most distinguished accolade. Vintage 1965 continued to amass conspicuous wine show awards well into the 1970s. Bottles were marked with Bin numbers 69 and 70, 71 and 95. A very autumnal style of Grange, seasoned with intriguing mushroom notes, cedar and pastoral leaf.

The 1989 Grange Hermitage is beginning to show some seriously attractive older maturation characters, developing sooner by comparison to its more robust 1988 and 1990 counterparts. 91% Shiraz 9% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Kalimna and other Barossa vineyards, as well as the McLaren Vale, it has the typical solid structure and strength of character to produce another classic Grange.

The hallmark of this release is powerful fruit intensity, superb length and typical Grange complexity, showing integrated fruit and oak flavours which are very persistent, reflecting the exceptional quality of the 1988 vintage. An ideal growing season followed by a warm dry vintage, produced an elegant Grange. 94% Shiraz, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon from Kalimna and other vineyards in the Barossa, Padthaway and McLaren Vale. A classic Grange, from an outstanding vintage year, the 1988 will develop superbly until 2008 and beyond.

The pinnacle of Australian wines, Grange is always exciting and opulent.

A very great Grange, the mild and relatively dry growing season lead to a very successful vintage. This was the final release crafted by Max Schubert's successor Don Ditter.

The unique and distinctive Grange style is based on ripe Shiraz fruit and stylish American oak in fine harmony. The 1985 Grange is predominantly Shiraz with a small amount (1%) Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from the Kalimna and other superior vineyards in the Barossa, Clare Valley and Modbury (Adelaide Plains). A cool to mild growing season followed by similarly good conditions at vintage, with late rain delaying picking. An elegantly structured vintage with blackberry black olive plum flavours, and firm savoury tannins.

A meticulous regimen for vineyard selection, coupled with exacting winecraft, ensures each vintage of Grange displays a different character.

The 1983 Grange is one of the grandest ever, an exceptional wine and a standout edition from what was otherwise a disastrous vintage across most of Australia's winegrowing regions. Fires, hail, drought and heat, it all happened in 1983. Somehow Penfolds seemed to rise above the adversities of the vintage and produced monumental flagship wines. This Grange stands muscular, powerfully constructed and robust, one of the finest Granges of all time, a great Australian Shiraz with a claim to being one of the finest ever.

Intensely spicy, raspberried, honeyed wine – incredibly fragrant – with cedar and cranberry scents frollicking throughout. These characteristics work better on the nose than they do in the mouth, yet still it's as long and impressive as a freight train. Some will love this wine's fleshy, warm sweetness, others may find it too oddball – but it's in fine balance.

Winemaker John Duval called the 1981 a big, tannic Grange. It is just that, a very powerful, inky, purple-colored wine that is still almost primary and unevolved in its surprising youthfulness. This formidably endowed, broodingly backward, thick, full-bodied, muscular wine has a boatload of chocolate-infused plum, caramel, and cassis flavors. With high tannin, huge grip, and some propensity toward austerity, this is a monster Grange that may not totally assimilate the high levels of tannin, but there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about its future.

A fabulous Grange, powerful, seamlessly constructed wine with perfect levels of glycerin and extract. The wine still seems very youthful, made in a very voluptuous, blockbuster Grange style. It is just now reaching its plateau of drinkability.

Memorable for being the last of all vintages to be bottled in the original buff white foil capsules, the first edition to be made available in magnums, nowadays there are usually six hundred magnums of Grange bottled each year. Winemaker Don Ditter describes 1979 as complex, with plenty of soft, slightly lifted tobacco, berry gamey fruit fragrances. A highly concentrated palate with rich, cedar blackberry fruit, firm and massive, all supported by dry tannins before a long flavourful finish.

The 1960 to 1977 editions of Grange Hermitage were regularly entered into Australian Wine Shows with considerable success. Max Schubert retired as chief winemaker in 1973, but remained involved as mentor and Winemaker Emeritus for another twenty years. Schubert described 1977 Grange as "Complex and vibrant, sweet, meaty truffly fruit with perfumed apricot marmalade and black fruit notes. Concentrated and textured with sweet, briary, apricot, star anise. Fine dry tannins and excellent length. A remarkable wine!"

Tastings in September 1999 confirmed that the sheer intensity, power and overall balance of 1976 Grange meant it deserved its place as one of the great vintages of the 1970s.

1975 was the year Max Schubert retired from his post as Chief Winemaker, although he remained a consultant to Penfolds and kept an office at Magill Estate. He was succeeded by Don Ditter, who had worked with Penfolds as a winemaker since 1946. Penfolds 1975 Grange won two Gold and five other medals at Australian wine shows between 1976 and 1981.

Considered a good wine from one of the most difficult vintages in memory for Max Schubert and Don Ditter. Rigorous grape selection saw one of the smallest Grange yields on record at 2300 cases. It was future Chief Winemaker John Duval's first vintage with Penfolds and the first Grange to be made at Nuriootpa in modern steel fermenters. All previous vintages were made in traditional open concrete vessels at the original Magill Estate wineworks. Winner of a Trophy, four Gold and three other medals at Australian wine shows from 1976 to 1989.

Considered an undistinguished vintage, it won a trophy, five Gold, four Silver and six Bronze medals between 1974 and 1982.

Penfolds Grange 1972 won a Gold and four other medals at Australian wine shows in 1973, 1976 and 1977. Originally described by the winemakers as, medium deep brick red in colour, intense liquoric dark chocolate blackberry violet aromas with hints of vanilla spice. A loose knit palate with herbs and camomile, meaty mocha flavours and fine cedary tannins. A single batch was unintentionally oxidized before bottling, resulting in some bottle variation. Otherwise a lovely elegant wine, and a very good Grange vintage

A good portion of Cabernet Sauvignon for this year, weighing in at 13%. 1971 created a sensation when it won gold and topped its class at the Gault-Millau Wine Olympiad in Paris in 1979, beating the best Rhone Valley wines. It also won a trophy, four gold, four silver and five bronze medals at Australian wine shows between 1971 and 1982.

Despite carrying many different Bin numbers in the early years, Grange was always labelled Bin 95 from the 1970 vintage. This wine is a favourite of Don Ditter, who worked at Penfolds from 1946 and succeeded Max Schubert as Chief Winemaker in 1975. The 1970 Penfolds Grange is a blend of 90 per cent Shiraz and 10 per cent Cabernet Sauvignon, from Kalimna, the Barossa and Adelaide's Magill Estate vineyard. Vintage conditions were dry, a growing season with rainfall 40 per cent less than normal.

A wine of extraordinary dimension and power, intensely concentrated and packed with fruit sweetness, Penfolds Grange requires medium to long-term cellaring. With time, it develops into an immensely complex, beguiling wine that seduces the senses. Considered a very successful release from what Max Schubert considered a difficult vintage, 1969 Grange went on to win five Trophies, six Gold, six Silver and two Bronze medals between 1969 and 1975. Bottles from this vintage were labelled with two different Bin numbers 826 and 95.

A great vintage from a magnificent era, bottles labelled Bin numbers 71, 72 and 95.1966 Penfolds Grange claimed four significant gold medals and several prestigious accolades between 1969 and 1980. A cépage of 88% Shiraz and 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, picked off the eminent Kalimna site and several other distinguished blocks of Barossa vine, the revered Magill Estate and Morphett Vale properties in Adelaide Hills. A fairly dry growing season followed by a warm vintage with near ideal conditions, matured eighteen months in all new American oak hogsheads.

The 1964 Grange claimed a Trophy, four Gold and three other medals in 1968 and 1969. Individual bottles are labelled Bin numbers 95, 395, 66, 67 and 68.

Bottles labelled Bin numbers 59, 95, 456, 59A.

By the early sixties, Penfolds Grange had secured its future. The experimental work carried out by Max Schubert left lasting impressions. Penfolds work in research and development, working hand in hand with new ideas within the constraints of the knowledge of the time, resulted in an emerging Penfolds house style. This is the first Grange to use grapes from the cool-climate Coonawarra district. The wine won two Gold and three Silver medals in Australian wine shows between 1963 and 1968. Bottles labelled Bin numbers 95 and 395.

A significant turning point for Penfolds Grange, bottles were labelled Bin numbers 49 and 95, and are now becoming increasingly rare.

Last of the three hidden and secret Granges made by Max Schubert in defiance of a company order to cease production, the wine was released commercially after the ban was lifted. New oak was not used during the three secret vintages. Bottles were labelled Bin numbers 46, 49 and 95. The story of Grange is steeped in the Australian ethos. Max Schubert is an Australian folk hero, a lifelong winemaker who battled against the odds and then succeeded in creating one of the very great wines of the world.

Max Schubert knew intuitively that fruit power, concentration and ripe tannins were key components of optimum quality, he was well ahead of his time. Second of the three hidden, or secret Granges, made by Schubert in defiance of a company order to cease production. The wine was matured in the previous year's Grange barrels as new oak was not available. A blend of 94 per cent Shiraz and 6 per cent Cabernet Sauvignon from the Magill Estate and Morphett Vale at Adelaide, the Kalimna Vineyard and from other vineyards in Barossa and McLaren Vale.

The first of the so called hidden Grange, the wine was made without the knowledge of Penfolds management, who had ordered Max Schubert to cease production, eventually released as Bin 50 and Bin 113. A blend of 88 percent Shiraz and 12 percent Cabernet Sauvignon grown at the Magill Estate and Morphett Vale in the Adelaide Hills, with further components from vineyards in the McLaren Vale. A mild dry growing season, the wine received eighteen months maturation in the previous years Grange barrels.

Penfolds 1956 Grange is extremely rare - a curio and valuable collector's item. Well cellared bottles may show fully developed fruit and lacy tannins but most are past their best. A lighter Grange which spent less time (about nine months) in oak and was bottled early. Bottles labelled Bin numbers 14 and 53. The 1956 included a small amount (4 per cent) of Cabernet Sauvignon. From humble beginnings in the 1950s, Grange has maintained it's place as Australia's most prestigious red wine, and one of history's most unique.

An exceptionally long-lived Grange, a beautifully focused wine, considered one of the best Granges ever produced. The most decorated of all Granges, winning 12 Trophies and 51 Gold medals over 13 years from 1962. A lighter Grange that spent only nine months in oak, the 1955 Grange was a favourite of Max Schubert's, partly because it was the vintage that vindicated him by winning a Gold medal in the open Claret class at the 1962 Sydney Wine Show. Bottles were labelled Bin numbers 13, 14, 53, 54 and 95.

A Heritage-listed wine, the story of Grange is steeped in the Australian ethos. Penfolds 1954 Grange is extremely rare, a curio and valuable collector's item. All but extremely fine bottles are well past their peak. Internal criticism of Grange led Max Schubert to lighten the style slightly and the 1954 had only about nine months in oak. The criticism fired at Max Schubert's early Granges reflected the conservatism prevalent throughout winemaking circles.

260 cases of this wine were produced. This is the first Grange to incorporate wine from the Kalimna region in the Barossa. This was a revelation. An astonishing, great wine with remarkable vigor and freshness, this wine has a dark garnet color with considerable amber at the edge. A sweet nose of mushrooms, roasted herbs, tar, red and black fruits, and underbrush is followed by a wine with considerable opulence, flesh, and vivacity. The wine has terrific harmony and a long finish. It is an amazing effort that should continue to drink well.

A very hedonistic, almost decadent style of Grange, gorgeously opulent, almost Pomerol-like Grange with an over-ripe characteristic to the fruit. Cherry liqueur intermixed with cranberry and cassis presented in a seductive, full-bodied, very soft, forward style is truly not the classic Grange in the sense of having huge structure and massive concentration, but this wine is loaded, very corpulent, and fleshy. The wine is going to last for up to two decades, but it will be uncommonly succulent and delicious to drink young.

Though retired, Grange creator Max Schubert was proclaimed Man of the Year by UK Decanter Magazine in 1988. The hallmark of Grange 1988 is it's powerful fruit intensity, dominant length and profound complexity, persistent fruit and oak, reflecting the exceptional quality of the 1988 vintage.