NV Penfolds Great-Grandfather Tawny

To record tasting notes and thoughts on fortified wines we might try which do not come from the demarcated region of the Douro Valley
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jdaw1
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NV Penfolds Great-Grandfather Tawny

Post by jdaw1 »

On Thursday 13th December 2012 a subset of the obvious suspects gathered at the Bell, Wendens Ambo CB11 4JY, to taste some treasures.

Links: Previously at the Bell: 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008.
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Alex Bridgeman
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Re: NV Penfolds Great-Grandfather Tawny

Post by Alex Bridgeman »

Dark orange in colour, with a slight green tone on the rim; 20% opaque. Very smelly on the nose, with lots of VA. Slow to develop on the palate, but eventually becomes deep and concentrated, with a thick and rich flavour. Good balancing acidity and a lovely long and rich finish. 91/100
Top Ports in 2023: Taylor 1896 Colheita, b. 2021. A perfect Port.

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Axel P
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Re: NV Penfolds Great-Grandfather Tawny

Post by Axel P »

I was extremely impressed that Dirk caught this served blindly because of the vanilla touch from the american oak at lunch.

Not bad, but not more than a "nice try" I thougt. Too sweet and not round enough for the cost of some 250-300 EUR.

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WS1
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Re: NV Penfolds Great-Grandfather Tawny

Post by WS1 »

I really liked this wine, but I would not buy it for this amount of money. I rather would buy lots of Noval 1937 Colheita .......

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RAYC
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Re: NV Penfolds Great-Grandfather Tawny

Post by RAYC »

I also really liked this wine, though it was sweet even for my taste (and slightly difficult to voice too positive an opinion with such obvious mutterings of disapproval coming from the guest of honour!)

From memory, i did think this was slightly let down by the finish, which i did not think offered either the length or concentration that i perhaps might have expected.

However, I thought this was a solid 90, and (not having paid for it!) found it very enjoyable.

In terms of QPR though, i would not be rushing to purchase at the pricing quoted by Axel (anyone know whether the "cellar door" cost in Australia is any better?)
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Re: NV Penfolds Great-Grandfather Tawny

Post by griff »

Not cheap in Australia either. About £150 or so a bottle and 15 years old. Only tried it the once; nice but not worth the expense. Very old vines however. There some nice older tawnies that are better value out there. Personally I prefer what James Godfrey is doing over at Seppeltsfield. Some nice Rutherglen tawnies as well.
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Re: NV Penfolds Great-Grandfather Tawny

Post by griff »

Just thinking, should this be in the port tasting notes section?
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Alex Bridgeman
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Re: NV Penfolds Great-Grandfather Tawny

Post by Alex Bridgeman »

griff wrote:Just thinking, should this be in the port tasting notes section?
No it shouldn't! Just don't think anyone important has noticed yet. Shhhh...
Top Ports in 2023: Taylor 1896 Colheita, b. 2021. A perfect Port.

2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
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Axel P
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Re: NV Penfolds Great-Grandfather Tawny

Post by Axel P »

griff wrote:Not cheap in Australia either. About £150 or so a bottle and 15 years old. Only tried it the once; nice but not worth the expense. Very old vines however. There some nice older tawnies that are better value out there. Personally I prefer what James Godfrey is doing over at Seppeltsfield. Some nice Rutherglen tawnies as well.
Shouldnt be confused with the normal Grandfather which is advertised to be 15 years old. The catalogue shows that this contains 25-35y old blends.

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Re: NV Penfolds Great-Grandfather Tawny

Post by griff »

Likely to be older but "average age of over fifteen years" is the age statement.

https://www.penfoldskalimnaclub.co.uk/o ... are-tawny/

They have a particular patch of vines going into it. Can't remember the name of the grape varietal but it was developed to be neutral and sweet to allow long aging.
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Axel P
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Re: NV Penfolds Great-Grandfather Tawny

Post by Axel P »

Thanks for the hint, Griff.
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Re: NV Penfolds Great-Grandfather Tawny

Post by christopherpfaff »

I was very surprised, when I read, that the average of the blend is only 15 years... if this is true I think they name is a great misnomer, if you ask any winelover what he expect from a wine how´s name is "GREAT Grandfather", no one would suggest a 15 year old blend...
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g-man
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Re: NV Penfolds Great-Grandfather Tawny

Post by g-man »

shouldn't this technically be in "other wines" ? =)
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