Dan Murphy's and Other Wine Deals

[Dr Ralph]

With Penfolds you're paying a premium to have their name on the label.

I don't think you're always paying a premium. At RRP yes definitely. But at the discounts wines like BIN 28, 389, 407 and St Henri's are often seen at, I just couldn't agree with this claim.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Saw this on OZ Bargain very late last night and thought it wouldn't be honoured because it appears to be a pricing error. But I can report I've just returned from a click and collect at my local Coles store and got 10 bottles for $10 each (including free Coles liquor bags!). Normally around $35 at Dan's.

You may have some luck with the offer, although it's now saying 'unavailable' at the location I chose to collect from.

Also scored a $15 rebate for first online order via cash rewards. So 10 bottles cost a total of $85.

Just one note - you have to pay for online orders at Coles via a credit card. You can't use a gift card, so there's no extra saving to be had.

https://shop.coles.com.au/online/national/penfolds-father-10-year-old-tawny-port-non-vintage

 

[Cruiser Elite]

AC - interested to hear your suggestions of wines that are 'as good but cheaper' that 389 ~$50 and RWT ~$100.

And before you answer I am happy to 'pay to have Penfolds' on the label - always interesting to note the reactions of guests when the see an opened bottle of Penfolds in front of them.

 

[cove]

Penfolds 707 is my favourite. It is not produced every year so I go Cullens Diana Madeline as the second choice.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Penfolds 707 is my favourite. It is not produced every year so I go Cullens Diana Madeline as the second choice.

The 707 is outstanding. It's been a while since I've had one and I know the price has climbed to around $350 a bottle.

The Diana Madeline is very good, but not in the same league as the 707. The DM is around $100.

I had a friend bring a bottle of the DM to a recent dinner party. It was as a gift and not for drinking on the night. That friend is welcome back anytime!

 

[Dr Ralph]

always interesting to note the reactions of guests when the see an opened bottle of Penfolds in front of them.

Indeed. It's instantly recognisable around the world.

 

[Steady]

The 707 is outstanding. It's been a while since I've had one and I know the price has climbed to around $350 a bottle.

I thought the latest vintage had gone up to $500+ (direct from Penfolds)

 

[cove]

The 707 when it is produced is the best that Penfolds produce. It is way better than Grange but the price hikes are alarming.
Silver Oak is my special one in California.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

AC - interested to hear your suggestions of wines that are 'as good but cheaper' that 389 ~$50 and RWT ~$100.

And before you answer I am happy to 'pay to have Penfolds' on the label - always interesting to note the reactions of guests when the see an opened bottle of Penfolds in front of them.

Don't get me wrong - I buy a decent amount of Penfolds - I have several bottles of Grange, and 19 bottles of various RWT vintages in storage. I'm just saying you pay extra for having Penfolds on the label. Just like you pay extra for having Chateau Latour or Johnnie Walker.

As for similar quality wines, I'm not sure if you're asking for my personal recommendations, or you're challenging me for some evidence. If the latter, I'd recommend looking at https://www.langtons.com.au/classification as these are all wines where the market has said that they're worth keeping: minimum of 10 vintages and maintain their value in the secondary market. This is over decades, with many hundreds/thousands/tens of thousands of transactions.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

Indeed. It's instantly recognisable around the world.

That's called marketing. Johnnie Walker and Nescafe are recognisable all over the world too.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

I don't think you're always paying a premium. At RRP yes definitely. But at the discounts wines like BIN 28, 389, 407 and St Henri's are often seen at, I just couldn't agree with this claim.

You're trying to say that you can't find any shiraz in Australia (or the world) at the $75 price (for St Henri) that's comparable in quality?
As for Bin 407 - there's a ton of good Cabernet out of Coonawarra and Margaret River at that price or cheaper that's just as good - let alone from Bordeaux.
Bin 389's a bit tricky, because I don't think there's that much good Shiraz Cab blends out there anymore - Yalumba Signature and Limestone Ridge spring to mind.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

AC definitely only seeking your opinions and recos on similarly priced wines that are as good or better than what 389 and RWT are 'buyable' at. I am certainly not attempting to challenge or in any way be inflammatory - I'll leave that to others - I have already clearly stated wine preferences and purchases are totally subjective - nobody is right or wrong or should purport to be - sharing is caring is appreciated.

 

[beefarmer]

Whilst Penfolds don't make bad wine, there's a ton of Australian (not to mention foreign stuff) that's as good but cheaper. With Penfolds you're paying a premium to have their name on the label.

And the restructuring of their products and brand positioning has helped Treasury Wine Estates to a handsome half yearly profit as well.

 

[AUElwood]

Sorry to cause the argument against this brand. I have to admit that my intention is to seek more sharing advice on the wines that are comparable to RWT / 389 / 407 since I don't have that much drinking experience. $50 and $100 for 389 and RWT respectively are definitely good deals but I never have a chance to get one.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

AC definitely only seeking your opinions and recos on similarly priced wines that are as good or better than what 389 and RWT are 'buyable' at. I am certainly not attempting to challenge or in any way be inflammatory - I'll leave that to others - I have already clearly stated wine preferences and purchases are totally subjective - nobody is right or wrong or should purport to be - sharing is caring is appreciated.

For RWT, I think you'll find Elderton Command Shiraz is also a usually big shiraz at a cheaper RRP. Plus the usual stalwarts like Katnook Prodigy and D'Arenberg Dead Arm at a cheaper level. Edit: I buy about just as much Command as RWT, as these are my favourite "big" shirazes. I think if you like RWT, you'll like Command.

For Bin 389, it's a bit trickier - not as many Shiraz/Cab Sauv blends out there, but Lindeman's Limestone Ridge, Yalumba The Signature and Majella's Mallea are widely available cheaper prices.
Oh, and Glaetzer's Annaperenna for something a little different. Mollydooker Enchanted Path if you're willing to up your budget a little

 

[AUElwood]

For RWT, I think you'll find Elderton Command Shiraz is also a usually big shiraz at a cheaper RRP. Plus the usual stalwarts like Katnook Prodigy and D'Arenberg Dead Arm at a cheaper level. Edit: I buy about just as much Command as RWT, as these are my favourite "big" shirazes. I think if you like RWT, you'll like Command.

For Bin 389, it's a bit trickier - not as many Shiraz/Cab Sauv blends out there, but Lindeman's Limestone Ridge, Yalumba The Signature and Majella's Mallea are widely available cheaper prices.
Oh, and Glaetzer's Annaperenna for something a little different. Mollydooker Enchanted Path if you're willing to up your budget a little

Thank you AnonymousCoward, I have already bought an Elderton Command 2005 from Langton's and keeping it in my cellar! I would like to try the Glaetzer but never see any good deal.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

Thank you AnonymousCoward, I have already bought an Elderton Command 2005 from Langton's and keeping it in my cellar! I would like to try the Glaetzer but never see any good deal.

It appears Anaperenna can be had for $47 at DM at the moment (less the usual 12% via Wish cards/cashrewards/etc.) Probably unlikely to get cheaper than that as it's pretty popular and not mass produced like Penfolds.

I few other Shiraz/Cab blends that I've thought of, unfortunately not made every year, so not as readily available: Jacob's Creek Johann is one of my wife's favourites, and Jim Barry's PB. I've kept good vintages of both for >10 years, and they are excellent drinking. Both can be bought around the $50-60 mark when available.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

My search suggests this may be Maverick Trial Hill (there is a 2009 also). I know WM have had Maverick in the past.

Have tried the 2009 and 2010 - the 2010 could not be more different to the 2009 - it's big and amazingly spicy. Something to keep for a few more years methinks.

 

[carwashhair]

Whilst Penfolds don't make bad wine, there's a ton of Australian (not to mention foreign stuff) that's as good but cheaper. With Penfolds you're paying a premium to have their name on the label.

For Bin 389, it's a bit trickier - not as many Shiraz/Cab Sauv blends out there, but Lindeman's Limestone Ridge, Yalumba The Signature and Majella's Mallea are widely available cheaper prices.

Agree with AC here. While I'd never knock back a Penfolds Bin if offered, mostly I still feel I can pick up better value with other Aussie wines for the same price paid as a particular Penfolds. That said, I pick up the occasional one to pour for guests who enjoy them (e.g. a couple of St Henri 2010's recently for my Father and In-law's 70th in 4 years time)

As for the Shiraz Cab, one of the best value ones last year was the Wynns V&A Lane @$30/bottle. So good that I've even picked up a couple of bottles at near full price since tasting. It may be a Cabernet-dominant blend, but at 13.5% alc the subtlety was what won me. The fruit had an abundance of flavour but was never big or jammy like most Penfolds. Beautiful nose too.

 

[blackcat20]

The Wolf Blass Grey label Cab Shiraz is also a stunner.