1981 Penfolds Grange Bin 95 wine Australia sold by Angry Wine Merchant Penfolds Estate Australia sold by Angry Wine Merchant Penfolds Estate Valley Australia sold by Angry Wine Merchant
1981 Penfolds Grange Bin 95 wine Australia sold by Angry Wine Merchant
Penfolds Estate Australia sold by Angry Wine Merchant
Penfolds Estate Valley Australia sold by Angry Wine Merchant

1981 Penfolds

Grange Bin 95

Shiraz

Australia / South Australia

$495
RP 97
Size:
Quantity:

Availability: 1

1981 Penfolds Grange Bin 95 – A Testament to Australian Heritage

The 1981 Penfolds Grange Bin 95 is a remarkable example of Australia’s most iconic and enduring red wine. Crafted under the legacy of Max Schubert’s visionary winemaking philosophy, this vintage embodies the unmistakable power, structure, and longevity that define Penfolds. Decades after release, the 1981 Grange continues to stand as a touchstone for collectors of fine and rare wines worldwide.

Tasting Notes

The 1981 Grange offers a mature bouquet of dried fig, plum compote, and cedar, layered with hints of tobacco leaf, earth, and dark chocolate. The palate reveals a harmonious blend of savory and sweet elements — evolved fruit, silky tannins, and a long, graceful finish that showcases its perfect balance and depth after more than four decades in bottle.

Winemaking & Vineyard Details

Composed primarily of Shiraz (with a small portion of Cabernet Sauvignon), the 1981 Grange was sourced from premium vineyard sites across South Australia, including Barossa Valley, Magill Estate, and McLaren Vale. Fermented in open vats and aged for approximately 18 months in American oak hogsheads, the wine captures Penfolds’ classic style — robust yet refined, built for long-term aging.

Investment & Collectibility

Now an extraordinary museum piece, the 1981 Penfolds Grange Bin 95 is prized by collectors for its historical importance and impeccable provenance. As one of the world’s longest-lived and most collectible wines, Grange remains a cornerstone of fine wine investment. Perfect for your collection.

Vintage Insights

The 1981 vintage in South Australia was relatively cool and dry, leading to smaller yields but exceptional fruit concentration. The result is a Grange of poise, depth, and elegance — less opulent than warmer years but beautifully balanced and refined, showing its longevity with grace.

  • 95 points – Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
  • 94 points – Wine Spectator
  • 93 points – James Halliday

Explore Related Collections

RP 97

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

The 1981 stood out as slightly superior. Winemaker John Duval always felt this was a tannic style of Grange, but the wine has shed its tannins, and this is one of the few vintages where the percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon was above 10%. Sweet notes of creme de cassis, cedarwood, charcoal, and barbecue spices are followed by a full-bodied, opulent wine displaying heady amounts of alcohol, glycerin, and density in its full-bodied, skyscraper-like texture. I was drinking this wine with great pleasure in the mid-nineties, yet here it is nearly 15 years later, and the wine does not appear to have budged much from its evolutionary state. This is a testament to how remarkably well these wines hold up, and age at such a glacial pace. Reviewed by Robert M. Parker, Jr., Issue date: June 30, 2009. Drinking window: N/A.

Domestic Shipping

We currently ship to all U.S. states where the shipment of alcohol is legally permitted. Orders are fulfilled via UPS.

Orders placed Monday through Thursday before 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time typically ship the same day. Orders placed after 2:00 p.m. on Thursday through Sunday will ship the following Monday.

Same-day delivery may be available within the Los Angeles Metro area if placed before noon. Please contact us at (626) 714-7006 to arrange expedited local service.

Packaging & Warm Weather Shipping

To protect wine quality, all orders are packed in EPS foam shippers with gel packs when necessary. During warmer months, we recommend selecting Next Day Air service. If Ground shipping is selected during high temperatures, a signed waiver may be required to release us from liability due to heat exposure.

For OWC (Original Wooden Case) orders, bottles are removed and shipped in foam for safety. The wooden case ships separately via Ground unless otherwise requested.

Weather Holds & Free Storage

In periods of extreme weather, we reserve the right to delay shipment until safe conditions return. If you request immediate shipment during such periods, you must confirm in writing and acknowledge that you waive any condition guarantees.

We also offer complimentary temperature-controlled storage for up to 6 months from the date of purchase. Select the “Hold for Weather” option at checkout and we will coordinate shipping at a later date.

Insurance

We provide free shipping insurance for loss or visible damage during transit, per carrier terms and conditions.

Adult Signature Required

All shipments of alcohol require an adult signature (21+) upon delivery. Carriers will not release packages without adult authorization. Additional charges may apply for re-delivery, redirection, or failed delivery attempts.

Shipping Address Accuracy

Orders are shipped to the exact shipping address provided at checkout. Angry Wine Merchant is not responsible for errors or omissions in the address submitted by the customer. If a package is delayed, returned, or misdelivered due to incorrect shipping details, the customer assumes full responsibility. Additional shipping fees may apply if re-shipment is required. By placing an order, you confirm that the shipping address entered is correct and agree to these terms.

States We Ship To

We ship to the following U.S. states:

Alabama (AL), Alaska (AK), Arizona (AZ), Arkansas (AR), California (CA), Colorado (CO), Connecticut (CT), Delaware (DE), Florida (FL), Georgia (GA), Hawaii (HI), Idaho (ID), Illinois (IL), Indiana (IN), Iowa (IA), Kansas (KS), Kentucky (KY), Louisiana (LA), Maine (ME), Maryland (MD), Massachusetts (MA), Michigan (MI), Minnesota (MN), Mississippi (MS), Missouri (MO), Montana (MT), Nebraska (NE), Nevada (NV), New Hampshire (NH), New Jersey (NJ), New Mexico (NM), New York (NY), North Carolina (NC), Ohio (OH), Oklahoma (OK), Oregon (OR), Pennsylvania (PA), Rhode Island (RI), South Carolina (SC), South Dakota (SD), Tennessee (TN), Texas (TX), Vermont (VT), Virginia (VA), Washington (WA), West Virginia (WV), Wisconsin (WI), Wyoming (WY)

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International Shipping

We do offer international shipping where legally allowed. For details, click here or contact us directly.

  • CRITICAL REVIEWS
  • WINEMAKER NOTES
RP 97

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

The 1981 stood out as slightly superior. Winemaker John Duval always felt this was a tannic style of Grange, but the wine has shed its tannins, and this is one of the few vintages where the percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon was above 10%. Sweet notes of creme de cassis, cedarwood, charcoal, and barbecue spices are followed by a full-bodied, opulent wine displaying heady amounts of alcohol, glycerin, and density in its full-bodied, skyscraper-like texture. I was drinking this wine with great pleasure in the mid-nineties, yet here it is nearly 15 years later, and the wine does not appear to have budged much from its evolutionary state. This is a testament to how remarkably well these wines hold up, and age at such a glacial pace. Reviewed by Robert M. Parker, Jr., Issue date: June 30, 2009. Drinking window: N/A.

1981 Penfolds Grange Bin 95 – A Testament to Australian Heritage

The 1981 Penfolds Grange Bin 95 is a remarkable example of Australia’s most iconic and enduring red wine. Crafted under the legacy of Max Schubert’s visionary winemaking philosophy, this vintage embodies the unmistakable power, structure, and longevity that define Penfolds. Decades after release, the 1981 Grange continues to stand as a touchstone for collectors of fine and rare wines worldwide.

Tasting Notes

The 1981 Grange offers a mature bouquet of dried fig, plum compote, and cedar, layered with hints of tobacco leaf, earth, and dark chocolate. The palate reveals a harmonious blend of savory and sweet elements — evolved fruit, silky tannins, and a long, graceful finish that showcases its perfect balance and depth after more than four decades in bottle.

Winemaking & Vineyard Details

Composed primarily of Shiraz (with a small portion of Cabernet Sauvignon), the 1981 Grange was sourced from premium vineyard sites across South Australia, including Barossa Valley, Magill Estate, and McLaren Vale. Fermented in open vats and aged for approximately 18 months in American oak hogsheads, the wine captures Penfolds’ classic style — robust yet refined, built for long-term aging.

Investment & Collectibility

Now an extraordinary museum piece, the 1981 Penfolds Grange Bin 95 is prized by collectors for its historical importance and impeccable provenance. As one of the world’s longest-lived and most collectible wines, Grange remains a cornerstone of fine wine investment. Perfect for your collection.

Vintage Insights

The 1981 vintage in South Australia was relatively cool and dry, leading to smaller yields but exceptional fruit concentration. The result is a Grange of poise, depth, and elegance — less opulent than warmer years but beautifully balanced and refined, showing its longevity with grace.

  • 95 points – Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
  • 94 points – Wine Spectator
  • 93 points – James Halliday

Explore Related Collections

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