Penfolds Great Grandfather Rare Tawny was created in 1994 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Penfolds. Subsequent blending material has been sourced from stage six of the ‘Grandfather Solera’ and individual batches of maturing Grandfather that are identified as having exceptional quality. These components are further aged before being blended and introduced into the ‘Great Grandfather Solera’. After an initial launch of exactly 1994 bottles to commemorate the year of its inaugural release, Great Grandfather is only ever released in limited quantities to ensure the age and quality of the style is never compromised. With a minimum average blended age of 30 years, Penfolds Great Grandfather Rare Tawny delivers a beguiling mix of age, structure, strength and complexity with each and every sip. Specially selected South Australian vineyards. Many of the vineyards selected for the production of the first release of Great Grandfather are still utilised for the current release. These vineyards are selected for their consistently high quality and reliability year after year. As Great Grandfather is produced using a Solera system and sourced from additionally matured Grandfather stocks, it will always retain every variety used, albeit in small amounts. Of the some 13 varieties identified the major varieties which form the backbone of the blend from year to year are Shiraz, Grenache, Mataro and Cabernet. A specially selected ex-still fortifying spirit that has a distinctive aroma and flavour is then added. The selected spirit has an abv of 80-85% with the power and intensity to accompany and enhance the 30 years of age concentration and complexity without presenting as the dominant character. While spirit is the main driver of style in younger wines it becomes a less dominant contributor in wines of this age as the aged components take the forefront. The current Great Grandfather Solera contains a vintage span of 42 years with individual components covering 1960 to 2002 included. This large span of vintages ensures consistency and that the required level of age and youth for complexity and freshness is maintained. Lustrous deep tawny in colour with an obvious yellow-green edge. The aromas are intense, fragrant and seductive. Alluring toffee/praline notes. Rich fruit characters of quince paste, fig, raisin and candied peel. Toasted almonds and roasted chestnuts. The aromatic elements conspire into a wonderful integration, that complexes and evolves in the glass. Seamless and integrated from start to finish. Dark fruitcake, milk and dark chocolate, coffee, vanillin and aniseed all in abundance. Toffee/brûlée sugar with orange zest and marzipan add length and balance to the palate. The richness and weight of the wine are held in harmony by the spirit-acid balance, which conveys the long, persistent finish.

Quinta do Noval is the go to Port house for those who prefer VP in a more elegant guise. 1995 was a terrific year at Noval and now almost 20 years old, it is a beautifully balanced and supple wine with a lush, plump texture and smooth, round tannins. Intense flavours of plums, raisins and dark chocolate abound with a hint of secondary development now peaking through.

Château Guiraud is a large Sauternes property that is the only 1er Cru Classé, with the exception of its illustrious neighbour Château d`Yquem, that is located within the commune of Sauternes itself. Guiraud's 85 hectares of vineyards are located on one of the hills above the village of Sauternes. They are planted with 65% Sémillon and 35% Sauvignon Blanc. The grapes are harvested in "tries" and the juice is then fermented in oak barrels. The wine is then aged in oak casks (50% new) for 2 years. Guiraud is a very ambitious property with aspirations to produce a wine that will one day rival d`Yquem. The wines are astonishingly rich, especially in light of the high proportion of Sauvignon Blanc in the blend, and are undoubtedly amongst the finest wines being produced in Sauternes today.

After Yquem, Château Climens is regarded as the region's second best wine. Where Chateau d'Yquem is known for concentration and lusciousness, Climens strive for elegance, purity and freshness. For those looking to discover the best of Sauternes, this wine is a must.

Don PX grapes are the speciality of Toro Albalá and each is treated exclusively, from harvest to desiccation. It is this total control process that gives the wines their unique character and their creator strives to excite the wine taster with each one. The Toro Albalá winery began in the heart of Southern Cordoba in 1922, which is famous for its wine region Montilla-Moriles. Toro Albala winery has received awards in recognition of its constancy in the world of viticulture. Patience bears sweet fruit, something which winemaker and enologist Antonio Sánchez knows well, having dedicated all his life to this and for whom the Pedro Ximénez grapes are as if they were his own offspring, grown under the best conditions to ensure sufficient character and to be a part of the most wonderful dinner gatherings. This project has spanned many years, generations in fact.