About this winery

The success of Penfolds has been driven by the generations of visionaries and innovators. From the beginning in 1844 to today, the merging of science, art and innovation has driven Penfolds to become one of Australia’s most famed and respected winemakers. After the success of early sherries and fortified wines, founders Dr Christopher and Mary Penfold planted their vine cuttings they had carried on their voyage over to Australia. In 1844 the fledging vineyard was officially established as the...

See the Penfolds detail page for more information on this brand

Product notes

The Grandfather name dates back to 1915, when an oak cask containing the finest blend of available Tawny material was set aside for the exclusive use of the Penfold family. This wine was known as The Grandfather due to the age of the oldest Tawny in the blend. With each vintage varietal batches are selected for Grandfather. These batches are individually aged in seasoned old oak casks before being blended together at 14 years of age. This blend is then introduced into the ‘Grandfather Solera’. This Solera consists of six stages that are designed to fully integrate all components offering consistency and freshness with a final minimum average blended age of 20 years

Production notes

As Grandfather is matured utilising a Solera system all vintages introduced into the system are retained forever. This system of maturation ensures freshness, consistency of quality and style is sustained over the decades. The Solera currently contains vintages from 1960 to 2004. Including some 44 individual vintages in the Solera is testament to the complexity and age yet also highlights the importance of freshness and fruit.

Tasting notes

COLOUR: Deep tawny with a distinctive yellow-green edge characteristic of extended wood maturation. NOSE: Intense raisin fruits, fruitcake, liquorice, roasted walnuts all integrated together seamlessly with a freshness contradicting age. PALATE: Classical Penfolds fruitcake, liquorice and vanillin oak flavours with a sweet full and round mid-palate, and a finish that persists on and on.