97 Points James Halliday — A Sumptuously Smooth Velvet Cushion of Black Fruit

My Wine Man on Penfolds Grange

Penfolds Grange is not merely Australia's greatest wine — it is one of the most celebrated and collected wines on earth. Created by the visionary Max Schubert in 1951 against the wishes of Penfolds management, Grange was initially rejected and nearly discontinued before being recognised as a masterpiece of winemaking. Today it stands as Australia's only First Growth equivalent, a wine that commands the attention of the world's finest collectors, sommeliers, and auction houses. Grange is a multi-regional blend, drawing on the finest Shiraz fruit from South Australia's most distinguished vineyards — Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Magill Estate, and beyond — unified by Penfolds' signature use of American oak and the extraordinary skill of its winemaking team. The 1998 vintage is one of the most legendary Granges ever produced — a wine of extraordinary concentration, seamless texture, and almost supernatural longevity that has been described as virtually immortal.

Tasting Notes

Deep purple-red, it oozes blackberry, blackcurrant and licorice from every pore, the palate a sumptuously smooth velvet cushion of small black fruits. It will outlive anyone who can afford to buy it. 97 Points — James Halliday

Style & Drinking Window

Full-bodied and monumental, the 1998 Grange is now in its magnificent mature drinking window after more than 25 years of cellaring. The tannins have resolved into a seamless, velvety structure of extraordinary depth and persistence. Drink now through 2035 and well beyond. Decant for a minimum of 2–3 hours — or open the bottle the morning of your dinner and allow it to breathe slowly throughout the day. This is a wine that rewards patience at every stage.

Food Pairing

The sumptuously smooth black fruit depth, licorice intensity, and seamless tannin structure of the 1998 Penfolds Grange make it the ultimate partner for Australian Sher Wagyu Rump Cap M8/9 from My Meat Man. The wine's blackberry, blackcurrant, and licorice complexity mirrors the extraordinary fat marbling and umami depth of M8/9 Wagyu beautifully — whether slow-roasted whole, reverse-seared and rested, or carved thick and served medium-rare with nothing more than sea salt and a resting jus.

Why This Is a Smart Buy

At HK$4,888, the 1998 Penfolds Grange Bin 95 is one of the most extraordinary fine wine opportunities on our shelves. The 1998 is widely regarded as one of the greatest Granges ever produced, and at auction it regularly commands HK$7,000–10,000+ through Langton's, Christie's, and Sotheby's. At HK$4,888, this represents a compelling opportunity to acquire a 97-point, fully mature Grange of legendary status — a wine that, as Halliday himself noted, will outlive anyone who can afford to buy it.

Looking for a Different Style?

- 2004 Penfolds Grange Bin 95 Shiraz — 98-point sibling vintage, extraordinary concentration and structure
- 2001 Penfolds Grange Bin 95 Shiraz — 96-point mature Grange, majestic black fruit and mocha complexity
- 2012 Torbreck RunRig Shiraz Viognier — Barossa Valley powerhouse, opulent and richly structured