Emerging from 10 years of experimentation, Grange Hermitage began its fully fledged commercial journey with the release of the 1960 vintage, which was labelled variously as Bin 45, Bin 49, and Bin 95. Typically, Max Schubert would incorporate a soupçon of cabernet sauvignon to add phenolic torque. At the time, the plantings of cabernet sauvignon were extremely limited in South Australia, much less than had been available in the 1890s. But in 1945, Penfolds had acquired the valuable Kalimna Vineyard on the western edge of the Barossa Valley, including the now famous 1888 Block 42 plantings. The 1960 Grange Hermitage comprises around 8% of this material. Most of the parcels of shiraz grapes come from vineyards that have since been pulled up because of expanding populations and urban development. Morphett Vale, once belonging to the Southern Vales, is now a suburb of Adelaide, and Magill Estate, the home of Penfolds, is now a postage-stamp vineyard compared to its glorious past. 1960 Penfolds Bin 49 Grange Hermitage South Australia 5 Deep crimson in colour. Lovely complex espresso, choco-berry aromas and flavours with panforte, roasted almond, wax polish notes, plentiful chocolaty textures, superb mid-palate volume, and fresh, persistent quartz acidity. All the elements are in perfect symmetry, highlighting both the beginning and the endurance of a timeless signature style. Based on Magill Estate, Morphett Vale, and Kalimna Vineyards. Bottled 10/11/1961. Foil capsule over metal capsules. Embossed shoulder ‘Penfolds’. Very badly bin-soiled labels, fragile, damaged. Levels base of neck. 12.8% alc The story of Max Schubert’s ‘secret’ or ‘hidden’ Granges created a wine industry fable of overcoming the odds that would propel Grange Hermitage into the fine wine stratosphere. innovative new practices, including completing fermentation in new American oak hogsheads. But after the project was officially terminated by top management in 1956, improvisation and the use of seasoned oak barrels was required.
Hong Kong, March 2026
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