| Origin | |
|---|---|
| Main grapes | |
| Other grapes | |
| Vintage | |
| Bottle sizes |
Penfolds Grandfather Rare 20 Year Old Tawny NV is an excellent Australian fortified wine with all the richness and complexity expected of a mature Tawny Port. Deeply flavoured yet beautifully balanced, it offers layers of dried fruit, raisins, fruitcake, roasted walnuts and liquorice, complemented by hints of caramel and sweet spice. A blend of carefully selected South Australian wines, it has a minimum average blended age of 20 years, with extended maturation in seasoned oak adding depth, concentration and a wonderfully mellow character.
First created in 1915, Penfolds Grandfather has a fascinating history. Originally reserved for the Penfolds family, this exceptional tawny is produced using a traditional six-stage solera system, blending mature wines from different years to achieve its distinctive consistency and complexity. At 19% ABV, it is a particularly good choice for those who enjoy the style of a mature Tawny-style wine and are looking for something a little different from a traditional Portuguese Port.
Penfolds Grandfather Rare Tawny is crafted from premium fruit sourced across South Australia’s top fortified wine regions. Rather than relying on a single vineyard, Penfolds selects parcels specifically for their depth and ageing potential. Many of these trusted vineyard sources have partnered with Penfolds for over 25 years, providing the consistent quality needed to underpin the wine’s signature balance of maturity, complexity, and vitality.
The defining signature of Penfolds Grandfather Rare Tawny is its traditional six-stage fractional blending system. Rather than relying on a single harvest, the backbone of this iconic tawny is built on key Barossa varieties – primarily Shiraz, Grenache, Mataro (Mourvèdre) and Cabernet Sauvignon – alongside 13 other grape varieties which have been introduced across the decades. These grapes provide different elements to the finished wine, from ripe fruit and structure to richness, concentration and spice.
Drawn exclusively from the sixth stage, the final blend maintains a minimum average age of 20 years. Extended oxidative oak maturation imparts signature layers of toasted nuts, rich caramel, and concentrated dried fruits, balanced by persistent fruit vitality. Fortified with neutral grape spirit to 19% ABV, the palate achieves a harmonious balance of natural sweetness, warmth, and seamless complexity.
Founded in 1844 by Dr Christopher and Mary Penfold, Penfolds Wines stands as one of Australia’s most iconic and revered wine producers. Mary Penfold played a key role in the business’s development, overseeing its growth and helping establish the blending traditions that remain central to the Penfolds approach. Generations of winemakers have since carried on that spirit of experimentation, attention to detail, and commitment to quality.
Long before achieving international acclaim for legendary red table wines like Grange, Bin 707, and Bin 138, the estate’s early heritage was steeped in the production of exceptional fortified wines and classic brandies. Building on over 180 years of South Australian heritage, Penfolds has expanded its world-class winemaking portfolio to encompass premier vineyards in California, Bordeaux, and Ningxia, China.
The Grandfather Tawny is an especially fitting expression of this heritage. Its origins in 1915 and its carefully maintained solera represent more than a century of accumulated winemaking knowledge. Today, Penfolds continues to produce a range of mature fortified wines that demonstrate the depth and character Australian winemaking can achieve.
Discover Penfolds Grandfather Rare 20 Year Old Tawny at Fareham Wine Cellar – a standout Australian fortified wine and an exceptional alternative to traditional 20-Year-Old Tawny Port. Perfect as a gift for any wine enthusiast or a luxurious treat for your own cellars.
Order online for UK delivery, or pop into our shop at 55 High Street, Fareham, Hampshire, where we are always on hand with expert advice.
Penfolds Grandfather Rare Tawny has a deep amber-mahogany colour, with attractive golden and green tinges reflecting its extended maturation in seasoned oak. The nose is rich and inviting, revealing layers of raisins, dried figs, fruitcake and liquorice, complemented by roasted walnuts, caramel and fragrant vanillin oak.
The palate is full, sweet and rounded, with concentrated dried-fruit flavours supported by notes of toffee, spice and toasted nuts. There is impressive richness through the middle, balanced by a freshness that prevents the wine from becoming heavy. The finish is exceptionally persistent, with lingering fruitcake, liquorice and mellow oak flavours.
A beautifully mature Australian tawny, combining richness and complexity with an elegant, lingering finish.
Penfolds Grandfather Rare Tawny is a natural partner for rich desserts, mature cheeses and as an after-dinner drink, perhaps with a fine Cuban cigar.
Serving suggestion: Serve slightly chilled between 12–16°C in a small Port or dessert-wine glass. Allowing it to warm gently in the glass will reveal further layers of aroma and flavour.
Over the years, Penfolds Grandfather Rare Tawny has won many awards and plaudits including:
1. Is Penfolds Grandfather Tawny a Port wine?
No. Penfolds Grandfather is an Australian fortified wine made in a tawny style, rather than Portuguese Port from the Douro Valley. It offers a distinctive Australian alternative to traditional Tawny Port, with similar characteristics of sweetness, dried fruit, nuts and extended oak maturation.
2. What does 20 Year Old mean on Penfolds Grandfather Tawny?
The 20-year age statement refers to the minimum average blended age of the wine, not the age of every individual component. Penfolds uses a six-stage solera system to blend and mature wines from different years, producing a final wine with a minimum average age of 20 years.
3. How should you serve Penfolds Grandfather Rare Tawny?
Serve Penfolds Grandfather Rare Tawny slightly chilled, ideally around 12–16°C, in a small Port or dessert-wine glass. It is ready to drink and does not require decanting. Enjoy it on its own after dinner or alongside mature cheese, chocolate desserts and dried fruit.
4. How long does Penfolds Grandfather Tawny last once opened?
Thanks to its fortification and extended oxidative maturation, Penfolds Grandfather Rare Tawny is generally more stable after opening than an ordinary table wine. Store the bottle with its stopper securely fitted in a cool place, preferably refrigerated. For the best drinking experience, aim to enjoy it within several weeks of opening, checking its aroma and flavour as it develops.
