Dan Murphy's and Other Wine Deals

[The Warlock]

Thoughts on a 2011 Penfolds grange for $375?

Agree with the Doc, some critics were critical of Penfolds for even producing a Grange in 2011 due to the appalling vintage (there is no 2011 Hill of Grace for this reason). Might as well just buy some bottles of some other high end Barossa from the good recent years such as 2010 & 2012. St Hallett Old Block 2012 for example.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Yeh i was thinking the same thing. Just wanted a second opinion.

Thanks for replying. Guess ill have to pass on the offer.

No problems,

FWIW, I bought some of these from Langtons instead:

https://www.langtons.com.au/product.../john-riddoch-cabernet-sauvignon?basket=34027

 

[mini2]

Thoughts on a 2011 penfold grange for $375?

I wouldn't mind one for that price if you're happy to give us a pointer or two, it's for a stupid concept called birth year wine.

 

[Sedimental]

I wouldn't mind one for that price if you're happy to give us a pointer or two, it's for a stupid concept called birth year wine.

You could also consider some top end WA Cabernets from the reliable 2011. Would be able to buy 3 or 4 very rewarding bottles for the same outlay

 

[mini2]

You could also consider some top end WA Cabernets from the reliable 2011. Would be able to buy 3 or 4 very rewarding bottles for the same outlay

Already bought a case of Diana Madeline and Moss Wood. I thought it's missing a bottle of Grange that's all.

 

[prozac]

Mrs prozac, a couple of friends and myself will be opening a 1985 Grange in about 10 days to celebrate a wedding anniversary. It only scores a 6/10 on Langtons but will be our first so we don't know any better.

 

[ghinx]

wasn't a public offer. If 2011 was your birth year, you would be quite young now . im not sure if you are legal to drink. hahahh

 

[AnonymousCoward]

Already bought a case of Diana Madeline and Moss Wood. I thought it's missing a bottle of Grange that's all.

It's still Grange, so it'll still be good. Just not worth the $600 Penfolds was asking for at release. Whether it's worth $375 I have no idea, but I'd take a punt at the price. Unlike single vineyard release like HoG, Penfolds has the benefit of lots of grapes to bring in for Grange.

 

[The Warlock]

Penfolds Grange 2011 - JH93 Cellar to 2026 - You'll be needing to whip it out on or around their 15th birthday....

 

[AnonymousCoward]

Penfolds Grange 2011 - JH93 Cellar to 2026 - You'll be needing to whip it out on or around their 15th birthday....

CT reviews (including from our own Wozza) seem much better than JH: https://www.cellartracker.com/wine....DW2195904_1_K420e755631be4cdb4c0b8a1c8b8ca8bd
Jancis Robinson gave it 18/20 with a drinking window of 2024 to 2040.
Which experts to trust?

 

[The Warlock]

CT reviews (including from our own Wozza) seem much better than JH: https://www.cellartracker.com/wine....DW2195904_1_K420e755631be4cdb4c0b8a1c8b8ca8bd
Jancis Robinson gave it 18/20 with a drinking window of 2024 to 2040.
Which experts to trust?

Too true. Usually JH gives inflated marks and cellar potential and he seems to favour the established order....now this!
Penfolds will be rubbing him off their Christmas card list at this rate.

 

[Daver6]

Agree with the Doc, some critics were critical of Penfolds for even producing a Grange in 2011 due to the appalling vintage (there is no 2011 Hill of Grace for this reason). Might as well just buy some bottles of some other high end Barossa from the good recent years such as 2010 & 2012. St Hallett Old Block 2012 for example.

The difference though is HoG is a single vineyard wine whereas Grange can be from anywhere. So it's much easier to blend and source the fruit to make a decent wine. Just because 2011 was a poorer vintage doesn't mean all the fruit is rubbish. Having said that, I wouldn't be spending $375 for a 2011 Grange either.

 

[beefarmer]

It's still Grange, so it'll still be good. Just not worth the $600 Penfolds was asking for at release. Whether it's worth $375 I have no idea, but I'd take a punt at the price. Unlike single vineyard release like HoG, Penfolds has the benefit of lots of grapes to bring in for Grange.

quite possibly, multi choice grapes are not as ideal as single vineyard. I really don't know, but there certainly is a perception of more meticulous work and consequently quality on this idea. have we all been conned? if it tastes good, it is good and to be it matters little. As far as grange goes, it also epitomizes the fact that at under fifteen percent, you don't have to mention the grape. the famous grange hermitage aint a hermitage at all is it AC ? A bit like viognier in a shiraz, except that shows up a lot easier, but the quintessential pairing of hoges and stropp, of shane warne and cell phone texting, of shiraz and cabernet is magic.

 

[whatmeworry]

Do many people here buy wine rather as an investment then to drink?

 

[cove]

Not me as my sons don't drink red wine and we all have a use by date. I find I am drinking less but more of the better stuff so when we go out with friends I might turn up with a couple of the better reds that I have from the cellar. Not all of the finest Australian red wines have been priced out of reach but Penfolds have changed the price of their 707 dramatically in the last 10 years. I do think Grange comes behind 707 when it is made but Grange has a retail price that is higher.
I had 2 corks fail in Hill of Grace so I don't consider that to be an investment at all.
I think I have been drinking red wines for almost 50 years and was encouraged to continue by my recently retired cardiologist.
Wine is for consuming and sharing with friends.

 

[Rug]

Do many people here buy wine rather as an investment then to drink?

Not as a straight out investment; I cant afford Grange; Hill Of Grace; Australis and good French wine just to store and hope they age well; go up in value. I do cellar wines out of Langtons classification and that I like. I consider it an investment in my future health and happiness so in twenty years and I retire there will be a nice stash to enjoy till the end. I try to do both; consume it and store it. Wine is like gold its value is determined by many factors. Cheers

 

[Wozza]

I wouldn't mind one for that price if you're happy to give us a pointer or two, it's for a stupid concept called birth year wine.

I only had a small sample of the Grange 11. But it was very clear I was drinking a special wine. I still remember the countless flavours unfolding and that regal nose. It was so well made. For me, I got the same experience as drinking other Grange vintages. By no means the best I've had, but it was still Grange. And still very special.

The only noticeable difference was its lighter style, which may mean it won't be at its best at the 18 or 21 year mark (or longer). Not usually a problem for other vintages, so it may prove not to be a good choice as a birth year wine.

The value of the Grange is questionable, particularly in the 600s if it won't be in its prime in 18-21 years time. But I do fathom at the cost of producing such ludicrous wine with so much in it. I think it's pretty unique in world wine terms - and maybe why others don't copy it - it must be so expensive to produce.

With all that said, if I had the cash to buy two 11s at $375 each for a birth year excuse, then I would. I would probably open one around 2025 for another special occasion. And if it doesn't look like it has the legs to get to that 18th or 21st or whatever year you have in mind, then I'd just sell the remaining bottle on the secondary market at that point. I'd be surprised if you didn't get your money back and more if it's in tip top condition.

 

[Sedimental]

Already bought a case of Diana Madeline and Moss Wood. I thought it's missing a bottle of Grange that's all.

Maybe a "conception" Grange then!

 

[The Warlock]

I only had a small sample of the Grange 11. But it was very clear I was drinking a special wine. I still remember the countless flavours unfolding and that regal nose. It was so well made. For me, I got the same experience as drinking other Grange vintages. By no means the best I've had, but it was still Grange. And still very special.

The only noticeable difference was its lighter style, which may mean it won't be at its best at the 18 or 21 year mark (or longer). Not usually a problem for other vintages, so it may prove not to be a good choice as a birth year wine.

The value of the Grange is questionable, particularly in the 600s if it won't be in its prime in 18-21 years time. But I do fathom at the cost of producing such ludicrous wine with so much in it. I think it's pretty unique in world wine terms - and maybe why others don't copy it - it must be so expensive to produce.

With all that said, if I had the cash to buy two 11s at $375 each for a birth year excuse, then I would. I would probably open one around 2025 for another special occasion. And if it doesn't look like it has the legs to get to that 18th or 21st or whatever year you have in mind, then I'd just sell the remaining bottle on the secondary market at that point. I'd be surprised if you didn't get your money back and more if it's in tip top condition.

The quantity of Grange made by Penfolds is supposed to vary depending on the quality of the vintage because for Grange there is a fruit quality threshold which they stick to religiously. So, in theory all vintages should be excellent however you'd expect there to be far less cases of the "11 made because only a small amount of the fruit across their different vineyards would have been up to scratch.

That being said, I'd be put off by Halliday's 93 mark, the very same mark he gave to Norfolk Rise 2010 Merlot that was available on VM for under $10 recently. I think I remember reading an interview somewhere in which he had a bee in his bonnet about Penfolds releasing an "11 Grange after such a terrible vintage. So maybe this mark is his vengeance and the wine is in fact just as good as usual.

 

[Daver6]

Do many people here buy wine rather as an investment then to drink?

Wine is generally a pretty poor financial investment. Like others have said, I invest in it to drink in future, not to sell for profit.