Penfolds Grange Hermitage 1980

**Penfolds Grange Hermitage 1980 - 750ml** The 1980 Penfolds Grange Hermitage is a well-regarded, fully mature wine that exhibits a classic Penfolds profile, with diverse professional and user reviews indicating both elegance and power depending on the bottle's provenance and aeration. The 1980 Penfolds Grange is a vintage that showcases the signature Penfolds style and has aged gracefully, with excellent bottles still offering a profound experience. As with any aged wine, provenance (storage history) is a major factor in the condition of an individual bottle. It is widely considered to be at peak maturity now, with some bottles potentially improving further over the next few years if cellared impeccably. Professional and User Reviews Robert Parker (94+ points): Described it as still a "young wine" at age 29, exhibiting "massive earthy, meaty, bacon fat notes" with a full and rich character and slightly rustic tannins. James Suckling (92 points): In a 2017 review, he found it to be a "layered and beautiful wine" with chocolate, cedar, walnut, and berry character, holding on nicely with a medium body and soft, delicious texture. Jancis Robinson (18/20 points): Noted its dark ruby color with a black core, finding it rich, warm, and attractively medicinal, with good balance and a fresh finish. Winemaker Don Ditter: Described "intense, fragrant chocolate/cherry/prune/dried fig aromas" with a "dense and chewy" palate, generous fruit flavors, and superb length.