19/20 points - Matthew Jukes
"Unexpected in every way, this is a wine as unique and singular as its inimitable and unprecedented recipe. The result of blending such vastly disparate components is astonishing in its harmonious synergy. It unites magnificent depth of blackberry, blueberry and satsuma plum fruits, dark spice and black pepper, seamlessly marrying the fruit magnificence of Grange with the fine-boned, mineral structure of La Chapelle. The summer of 2021 was afflicted with frequent heavy rains in the northern Rhône, swelling the berries and necessitating removal of some of the clear juice from the saignées to increase the skin-to-juice ratio. The season was one of the finest in South Australia in decades, cool by modern standards, but in fact in line with long-term averages – a classic in the truest sense. These restrained seasons collide to set a brightness and energy of crunchy acidity that propels its super-fine, velvety tannins with spectacular definition. The elegance and structural finesse of La Chapelle is the perfect partner to the opulence of Grange, not counteracting, contradicting, nor even offsetting, but rather synergising to accent, embrace and propel each other’s strengths. This is astounding on the highest order. The full ripeness, new American oak and sheer, voluminous presence of Grange in no way dominates the more delicate and savoury La Chapelle! Dark chocolate oak never overwhelms, but rather confidently pushes fruit and structure upwards and outwards. It holds every splendid detail in suspended animation for minutes. I love its plush Grange fruit core, its intriguing La Chapelle pepper/spice, its impossibly seamless harmony and most of all its velvet-fine and elegant tannin profile of fine granite, tapped by deep roots of old vines at the apex of Hermitage. Penfolds Grange La Chapelle Shiraz Syrah stands as a towering monument to the courageous tenacity of Gago and Frey. Bravo!."
99 points - Tyson Stelzer
"This extraordinary intercontinental blend of French syrah and Australian shiraz is a great cloud of spices and smoke. Extremely rich and plush, this has a unique texture on the full-bodied, wide-screen palate. The very fine-grained tannins anchor this masterpiece that marries the boldness of Grange at the front with the coolness of La Chapelle at the extremely long finish. The first vintage of this limited production wine that looks set to become a collector’s item. Drink or hold."
98 points - James Suckling