# Penfolds Grandfather Rare Tawny 20 Years (NV)

- **Producer:** Penfolds
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** fortified
- **Grapes:** Shiraz, Grenache, Mataro, Cabernet Sauvignon
- **Region:** South Australia, Australia
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 20.1%
- **Average price:** €100
- **Vegan:** No
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now
- **Serving temperature:** 14–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** grape, orange, liquorice, plum, vanilla, chocolate, coffee, toast, dried fig, prune, caramel, toffee, hazelnut, walnut

## About this wine

Penfolds Grandfather Rare Tawny dates back to 1915, when winemaker Alf Vesey set aside an exceptional oak cask at the Nuriootpa winery for the exclusive enjoyment of the Penfold family. Named 'The Grandfather' after the oldest tawny in the blend, it made its commercial debut in 1965. Sourced from premier South Australian vineyards, this iconic fortified wine represents decades of winemaking heritage and multi-generational dedication in the Barossa Valley and beyond.

## Interesting facts

- First set aside in 1915 exclusively for the Penfold family's private consumption.
- Matures through a meticulous 6-stage Solera system to maintain a minimum average age of 20 years.
- Displays a unique olive-green or khaki rim, a hallmark signature of extended oak aging.

## Food pairing

Rich fortified tawny wines require dishes with equal intensity, sweetness, or strong savory elements. High sweetness in desserts prevents the wine from tasting dry or sharp, while saltiness and fat in blue cheese create a classic harmonious contrast against the wine's rich sweetness and high acidity.

## Wine making process

Crafted using a six-stage Solera maturation system, individual varietal batches of Shiraz, Grenache, Mataro, and Cabernet Sauvignon are initially aged in seasoned oak hogsheads. At 14 years, the components are blended together before entering the Grandfather Solera. Fermentation is arrested with high-proof ex-still spirits (78%-85% ABV). The final blend achieves a minimum average blended age of 20 years, imparting incredible concentration and seamless integration.