Penfolds Grandfather Rare Tawny 20 Year Old Fortified Wine
Penfolds has a long tradition of fortified wine production, dating back to 1844, when Christopher Rawson Penfold planted vines on the Magill Estate, to create the first fortified wines. The Grandfather name dates back to 1915, when an oak cask containing the finest blend of available Tawnies 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 the Grandfather rare Tawny . 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. 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. As Grandfather is produced using a Solera system it will always retain every variety used over the years, albeit in small amounts. Of the some 13 varieties identified the major varieties which form the backbone of the blend are Shiraz, Grenache, Mataro and Cabernet Sauvignon. Expect elegant notes of raisin-packed fruitcake, nutty praline, crème brûlée, oxidised Oloroso Sherry, walnut baklava and liquorice all sorts. Beautifully presented in an exquisite gift box featuring a Penfolds stopper and certificate of authenticity, Grandfather Rare Tawny is a highly coveted gift for life’s special milestones.