Penfolds Grange 1998

"A wine flirting with perfection and rivaling the legendary 1986 Grange,? wrote Robert M. Parker Jr. himself in his 98+ point review for The Wine Advocate. The flagship of the Penfolds collection, it is a mighty wine made of 97% Shiraz and 3% Cabernet from vineyards in Barossa and McLaren Vale. Deeply opaque violet, it is absolutely stunning. On the nose and palate, the "Grange? offers ripe blackberries, a touch of violets, some red meat, cassis, tar and leather, creamy vanilla and oak, cherry liqueur, pepper, and earth. The list could go on?it is so dense, complex, deep, long, and magnificent?an icon at peak maturity!