Penfolds has unveiled its ultra-exclusive new wine, Grange La Chapelle 2021, now officially available in limited quantities in Hong Kong. A highly anticipated vintage, this release signifies an unprecedented collaboration in the world of viticulture, showcasing the artistry and innovation of two legendary winemakers: Peter Gago of Penfolds and Caroline Frey of La Chapelle, who proved that it does take two to tango.
Grange La Chapelle 2021 emerges from the deep-rooted friendship between Gago, chief winemaker of Penfolds Grange, and Frey, chief winemaker of La Chapelle in France, but their partnership is not merely a blending of wines—it is a celebration of culture, tradition, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. Resulting from that is a pioneering 50/50 blend of French Syrah and Australian Shiraz, marrying the storied terroirs of Hermitage and South Australia in a way that has, as far as memory serves, never been accomplished before.
While Penfolds and La Chapelle have crossed paths before, including at a major tasting organised by The Institute of Masters of Wine decades ago, and again in 1987, at a luncheon at the Rakel restaurant in New York (helmed by a young Thomas Keller, no less) co-hosted by Gerard Jaboulet and Max Schubert, where the 1971 Penfolds Grange and 1978 Jaboulet Hermitage La Chapelle was poured. 38 years later, this connection has now come full circle.
For the exclusive Grange La Chapelle 2021, the grapes were sourced from two iconic regions: the steep slopes of Hermitage in France, renowned for its powerful Syrah, and the sun-soaked vineyards of Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, and Clare Valley in Australia, celebrated for their exceptional Shiraz. Each varietal brings its unique characteristics to the blend, resulting in a wine that is not only bold but also remarkably refined.
On the nose, the Grange La Chapelle 2021 reveals a bouquet of black cherry, pomegranate, and raspberry, along with subtle hints of spice and earthiness, while the palate is woven from a rich tapestry of flavours, revealing a bold and elegant structure to encapsulate the shared history of Syrah and Shiraz, and paving the way for future possibilities. While the 2021 vintage marks the first release, both winemakers are committed to continuing this exceptional collaboration in the years to come, Mother Nature permitting.
Grange La Chapelle 2021 was officially launched at an intimate, invite-only black-tie event in Paris earlier this year on 9 February 2025, a fitting celebration of the partnership that brought this wine to life, attended by distinguished guests from the wine industry and beyond. For the discerning collector and oenophile, a limited quantity of Grange La Chapelle 2021 is available in Hong Kong from grangexlachapelle.com at HK$17,500 for a 750 ml bottle.
All images courtesy of Penfolds.
