Rewards of Patience Edition 9 | Penfolds News

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Rewards of Patience

Rewards of Patience

A LANDMARK EDITION:

CELEBRATING 40 YEARS

Every Penfolds wine carries a story earned over time. With the release of the Ninth Edition of The Rewards of Patience, those stories are revisited, refined and brought into sharper focus – revealing how patience, when honoured, becomes its own reward.

Released in 2026, the Ninth Edition marks forty years since the first publication of Rewards of Patience and the 75th anniversary of Penfolds flagship, Grange. Across those decades, it has become an indispensable reference for collectors and professionals alike – a living record of how Penfolds wines evolve, mature and ultimately reveal themselves.

Affectionately known as the Penfolds ‘Form Guide’, the Ninth Edition respects its heritage while offering a fresh perspective – shedding light on not only when to drink, but the reward that time delivers.

Penfolds Rewards of Patience book

Rewards of Patience

THE TASTING PANEL

A convergence of experience, independence and global perspective.

The authority of the Ninth Edition rests on an independent panel of internationally respected wine writers, critics and commentators — each contributing their own lens, shaped by geography, discipline and experience.

The tasting panel is listed at the end of this article.

VOICES FROM THE TASTING ROOM

Across over 500 hundred wines and four cities, moments of clarity emerged – wines settling into themselves, revealing balance, texture and persistence that only time delivers.

“To monitor ‘all things Penfolds’, tastings were assembled for an A List of global media in Paris, Hong Kong, London and Adelaide for this ninth Edition of our ‘diary’ tome.”

— Peter Gago, Chief Winemaker, Penfolds

“Virtually every significant wine that Penfolds has made since the early 1950s.”

— Nick Ryan, Wine columnist, The Australian

“Older St Henri vintages are so delicious to taste, with their mouthwatering sapidity, loose limbed tannic frames and fragrance that lingers over the palate.”

— Jane Anson, Wine journalist, author and multimedia publisher (janeanson.com)

Wine Critics tasting Penfolds Wines

Wine Critics tasting Penfolds Wines

Grange, tasted across generations, offered its own quiet revelations.

“The 1962 is, amazingly, probably the ideal vintage to drink now. Another standout was 1994 — Peter Gago’s first red wine vintage.”

— Jancis Robinson, Wine correspondent, Financial Times; founder, jancisrobinson.com

These observations are woven throughout the Ninth Edition – not as verdicts, but as signposts, guiding interpretation and understanding.

Rewards of Patience

DISCOVER THE MAKING

OF REWARDS OF PATIENCE

Forty years. Nine Editions. Eighteen decades of stories.

TASTING NOTES AND DRINKING WINDOWS

The Ninth Edition presents a refreshed and considered suite of tasting notes across the Penfolds portfolio, from Special Release Bins such as the infamous 1962 Bin 60A to Koonunga Hill. Each note , captures the wine’s condition, character and stage of evolution, alongside its ideal drinking window. These tasting notes are exclusive to Rewards of Patience, shaped by the collective insight of the Ninth Edition panel.

Where possible, multiple bottles from the Penfolds archive – including the rarest – were opened to ensure accuracy. Where wines were unavailable, historical records and prior assessments were carefully referenced, maintaining a complete and continuous narrative.

Complementing the book, original Penfolds tasting notes, spanning decades of releases, remain available online. Together, these two records – one current and interpretive, the other archival – offer a deeper understanding of how Penfolds wines have evolved over time.

view tasting notes

A LIVING REFERENCE

More than an archive, Rewards of Patience is an evolving chronicle of Penfolds itself — its craftsmanship, its ambition, and its enduring relationship with time.

The Ninth Edition stands as both reflection and guide: grounded in forty years of perspective, yet attentive to what lies ahead. For collectors, drinkers and custodians of the cellar, it remains a trusted companion – one that understands patience not as waiting, but as knowing when to seize the moment.

GRANGE AT 75: MOMENTS COMING INTO VIEW

GRANGE AT 75: MOMENTS COMING INTO VIEW

As Grange marks its 75th anniversary, the Ninth Edition highlights a series of releases now entering, or approaching, their peak drinking windows. Together, they offer timely touchstones for personal milestones still to come – birthdays, anniversaries and moments worth marking.

The following vintages sit confidently within their drinking windows for upcoming 30th, 40th and 50th birthdays—and, in the not‑too‑distant future, 60th celebrations:

1963 Grange “The finish rolls on for minutes without dipping or losing momentum. This is an extraordinary wine.” — Matthew Jukes.

5 Stars – Drink Now

1976 Grange “So complete, it’s almost perfect. Tender, fresh, melodic. It’s still soaring” — Tyson Stelzer.

5 Stars – Drink Now to 2045

1982 Grange “Intricate and subtle with beguiling freshness and symmetry.” — Nick Butler MW.

5 Stars – Drink Now to 2035

1989 Grange “Catch this vintage earlier rather than later to wallow in the fabulous fruit.” — Matthew Jukes.

5 Stars – Drink Now to 2035

1990 Grange “Composure and completeness. A wine of dizzying dimensions.” — Nick Ryan

5 Stars – Drink Now to 2050

Spanning three, four, five and six decades, each wine carries its own story of time, place and patience.

Meet the tasting panel

MEET THE TASTING PANEL

Together, their insights shape every aspect of the Ninth Edition, bringing depth and clarity to the tasting notes and guiding collectors as their wines continue to evolve.

The panel includes:

Andrew Caillard MW (Author) – Australia

Wine critic, historian and former auctioneer (The Australian Ark)

Peter Gago AC (Chair) – Australia

Chief Winemaker, Penfolds

Jane Anson – France & United Kingdom

Wine journalist, author and multimedia publisher (janeanson.com)

Dr Neil Beckett PhD – United Kingdom

Wine judge and editor, World of Fine Wine

Tamlyn Currin – United Kingdom

Wine writer and sustainability editor, jancisrobinson.com

Matthew Jukes – United Kingdom

Wine writer, author and editor, matthewjukes.com

Jancis Robinson MW OBE – United Kingdom

Wine correspondent, Financial Times; founder, jancisrobinson.com

Georgie Hindle – France & United Kingdom

Wine journalist and Bordeaux correspondent, Decanter

Brendan Carter – Australia

Multimedia opinion leader and drinks entrepreneur (bottleshock.tv)

Dr Angus Hughson PhD – Australia

Wine writer, digital publisher and Australian correspondent, Vinous

Erin Larkin – Australia

Wine writer and Australian correspondent, Robert Parker Wine Advocate

Nick Ryan – Australia

Wine columnist, The Australian

David Sly – Australia

Journalist and Australian correspondent, Decanter

Jennifer Doherty MW – Hong Kong

Wine buyer, educator and independent consultant

Alexandre Ma – China & France

Multilingual wine critic, publisher and educator (alexandrema.com)

Edward Ragg MW – China & United Kingdom

Associate professor, wine critic and educator

Fongyee Walker MW – China & United Kingdom

Wine judge, entrepreneur and educator

A Landmark Edition: Celebrating 40 Years

Every Penfolds wine carries a story earned over time. With the release of the Ninth Edition of The Rewards of Patience, those stories are revisited, refined and brought into sharper focus – revealing how patience, when honoured, becomes its own reward.

Released in 2026, the Ninth Edition marks forty years since the first publication of Rewards of Patience and the 75th anniversary of Penfolds flagship, Grange. Across those decades, it has become an indispensable reference for collectors and professionals alike – a living record of how Penfolds wines evolve, mature and ultimately reveal themselves.

Affectionately known as the Penfolds ‘Form Guide’, the Ninth Edition respects its heritage while offering a fresh perspective – shedding light on not only when to drink, but the reward that time delivers.

Penfolds Rewards of Patience book

Rewards of Patience Tasting Panel

THE TASTING PANEL

A convergence of experience, independence and global perspective.

The authority of the Ninth Edition rests on an independent panel of internationally respected wine writers, critics and commentators — each contributing their own lens, shaped by geography, discipline and experience.

The tasting panel is listed at the end of this article.

VOICES FROM THE TASTING ROOM

Across over 500 hundred wines and four cities, moments of clarity emerged – wines settling into themselves, revealing balance, texture and persistence that only time delivers.

Wine Critics tasting Penfolds Wines

“To monitor ‘all things Penfolds’, tastings were assembled for an A List of global media in Paris, Hong Kong, London and Adelaide for this ninth Edition of our ‘diary’ tome.”

— Peter Gago, Chief Winemaker, Penfolds

“Virtually every significant wine that Penfolds has made since the early 1950s.”

— Nick Ryan, Wine columnist, The Australian

“Older St Henri vintages are so delicious to taste, with their mouthwatering sapidity, loose limbed tannic frames and fragrance that lingers over the palate.”

— Jane Anson, Wine journalist, author and multimedia publisher (janeanson.com)

Wine Critics tasting Penfolds Wines

Grange, tasted across generations, offered its own quiet revelations.

“The 1962 is, amazingly, probably the ideal vintage to drink now. Another standout was 1994 — Peter Gago’s first red wine vintage.”

— Jancis Robinson, Wine correspondent, Financial Times; founder, jancisrobinson.com

These observations are woven throughout the Ninth Edition – not as verdicts, but as signposts, guiding interpretation and understanding.

Rewards of Patience

DISCOVER THE MAKING OF REWARDS OF PATIENCE

TASTING NOTES AND DRINKING WINDOWS

The Ninth Edition presents a refreshed and considered suite of tasting notes across the Penfolds portfolio, from Special Release Bins such as the infamous 1962 Bin 60A to Koonunga Hill. Each note , captures the wine’s condition, character and stage of evolution, alongside its ideal drinking window. These tasting notes are exclusive to Rewards of Patience, shaped by the collective insight of the Ninth Edition panel.

Where possible, multiple bottles from the Penfolds archive – including the rarest – were opened to ensure accuracy. Where wines were unavailable, historical records and prior assessments were carefully referenced, maintaining a complete and continuous narrative.

Complementing the book, original Penfolds tasting notes, spanning decades of releases, remain available online. Together, these two records – one current and interpretive, the other archival – offer a deeper understanding of how Penfolds wines have evolved over time.

view tasting notes

A LIVING REFERENCE

More than an archive, Rewards of Patience is an evolving chronicle of Penfolds itself — its craftsmanship, its ambition, and its enduring relationship with time.

The Ninth Edition stands as both reflection and guide: grounded in forty years of perspective, yet attentive to what lies ahead. For collectors, drinkers and custodians of the cellar, it remains a trusted companion – one that understands patience not as waiting, but as knowing when to seize the moment.

GRANGE AT 75: MOMENTS COMING INTO VIEW

GRANGE AT 75: MOMENTS COMING INTO VIEW

As Grange marks its 75th anniversary, the Ninth Edition highlights a series of releases now entering, or approaching, their peak drinking windows. Together, they offer timely touchstones for personal milestones still to come – birthdays, anniversaries and moments worth marking.

The following vintages sit confidently within their drinking windows for upcoming 30th, 40th and 50th birthdays—and, in the not‑too‑distant future, 60th celebrations:

1963 Grange “The finish rolls on for minutes without dipping or losing momentum. This is an extraordinary wine.” — Matthew Jukes.

5 Stars – Drink Now

1976 Grange “So complete, it’s almost perfect. Tender, fresh, melodic. It’s still soaring” — Tyson Stelzer.

5 Stars – Drink Now to 2045

1982 Grange “Intricate and subtle with beguiling freshness and symmetry.” — Nick Butler MW.

5 Stars – Drink Now to 2035

1989 Grange “Catch this vintage earlier rather than later to wallow in the fabulous fruit.” — Matthew Jukes.

5 Stars – Drink Now to 2035

1990 Grange “Composure and completeness. A wine of dizzying dimensions.” — Nick Ryan

5 Stars – Drink Now to 2050

Spanning three, four, five and six decades, each wine carries its own story of time, place and patience.

Meet the Tasting panel

MEET THE TASTING PANEL

Together, their insights shape every aspect of the Ninth Edition, bringing depth and clarity to the tasting notes and guiding collectors as their wines continue to evolve.

The panel includes:

Andrew Caillard MW (Author) – Australia

Wine critic, historian and former auctioneer (The Australian Ark)

Peter Gago AC (Chair) – Australia

Chief Winemaker, Penfolds

Jane Anson – France & United Kingdom

Wine journalist, author and multimedia publisher (janeanson.com)

Dr Neil Beckett PhD – United Kingdom

Wine judge and editor, World of Fine Wine

Tamlyn Currin – United Kingdom

Wine writer and sustainability editor, jancisrobinson.com

Matthew Jukes – United Kingdom

Wine writer, author and editor, matthewjukes.com

Jancis Robinson MW OBE – United Kingdom

Wine correspondent, Financial Times; founder, jancisrobinson.com

Georgie Hindle – France & United Kingdom

Wine journalist and Bordeaux correspondent, Decanter

Brendan Carter – Australia

Multimedia opinion leader and drinks entrepreneur (bottleshock.tv)

Dr Angus Hughson PhD – Australia

Wine writer, digital publisher and Australian correspondent, Vinous

Erin Larkin – Australia

Wine writer and Australian correspondent, Robert Parker Wine Advocate

Nick Ryan – Australia

Wine columnist, The Australian

David Sly – Australia

Journalist and Australian correspondent, Decanter

Jennifer Doherty MW – Hong Kong

Wine buyer, educator and independent consultant

Alexandre Ma – China & France

Multilingual wine critic, publisher and educator (alexandrema.com)

Edward Ragg MW – China & United Kingdom

Associate professor, wine critic and educator

Fongyee Walker MW – China & United Kingdom

Wine judge, entrepreneur and educator

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