Are some wine prices ridiculus or what ?

[Guest]

Just looking at some of the absurd amounts paid for some wines (LePin, $3000 for a 1982 Petrus etc.) - Does anybody actually drink these wines do you think ?

[Craig(NZ).]

Why drink them when they have so much wank wank value??

[Wizz]

Yes, these wines get drunk on occasion. I know an irregular poster here who has drunk Le Pin and Petrus, albeit as part of a tasting rather than a bottle purchased for their own indulgence.

cheers

AB

[Rob]

It's all about demand and supply.

If someone can aford to drink these wines or some other even more highly priced one(DRC), then good on them.

Everyone's value and judgement is different, so I have nothing against them. Personally I will never buy them.

[Cables]

Wine as an investment, unless it is drinkable is a complete waste of money. It has no intrinsic value.

What value do you place on vinegar in a bottle with an old label on it?
What can it do for you? Where is its tradeable use?

It's not like a beautifully crafted piece of jewerelly or furniture that has true aesthetic appeal. - It is a bottle with liquid in it.

But if drinkable, then its all relative. The price is irrelavant.
They say that Kerry Packer once lost and also once won $25M in a single night playing blackjack. $250,000 per hand. - It's all relative and the price is just one or two or three more zeros on the end.

Still though, I'd like to drink an 82 Petus given the chance!!!!!!!!!

[Jakob]

Still though, I'd like to drink an 82 Petus given the chance!!!!!!!!!

Rockpool still has it on their excellent ( though usually, not in this case, pricey ) Wine List at, wait for it, $530
http://www.rockpool.com/Rockpool_Wines.html
If any forumites should make the journey, I'd certainly love to read the notes. I'm looking forward to an '82 Trotanoy from the 'cellar', which apparently comes so very close in this superb vintage.

[Michael]

Of course people drink them.

Remember that currency fluctuations make these wines considerably cheaper in America and Europe.

Also, many of these wines have been bought somewhat more reasonably on release and cellared for some time. I have been fortunate to drink quite a few vintages and the context always changes. Whether a tasting, a group pooling together, a generous guest etc.

PS. I think there is a typo on rockpools list, I would bet anything that it's lafleur petrus if the price is correct, or the price is missing an '0'.

[Baby Chickpea]

Yes I drink Le Pin, if only because I bought the 89 and 90 from Langtons years ago for $92 and $107 respectively when they first appeared after release. I have not been tempted to sell them for the massive prices. Absolutely delicious wine.

[Aussie Johns]

If you could buy 82 Petrus for $530, I'll jump on a plane now and have a bottle for lunch. I suspect a "zero" is missing.
BTW, that is one of the worst and most over-priced wine lists I have ever come across. How many terrible vintages of crap wines can you fit on the one page!!! Bin 28 for $110!!!!!!! Oh please, some-one tell then to get their hands off it.

[lantana]

Jakob,

I'd be snapping up all the Petrus 1982 for $530 Rockpool will sell you, it sold at Langtons for $2600 a bottle this year!!

Here's some comment from Parker re. the Petrus 1982:

"Lastly, the consistently inconsistent 1982 Pétrus was brilliant. This wine’s score can range from the upper eighties to virtually perfect. I don’t understand why, but this particular bottle was revealing some of the roasted herb, sweet caramel, and opulent black cherry fruit, full body, silky texture, and a hint of dry tannin in the finish. The color reveals some amber at the edge." Excerpt from RPJ

I wonder how the wines purchased from Langtons for $2600 will show, sure as hell glad I didn't take that gamble!

lantana

[markg]

Still though, I'd like to drink an 82 Petus given the chance!!!!!!!!!

Rockpool still has it on their excellent ( though usually, not in this case, pricey ) Wine List at, wait for it, $530
http://www.rockpool.com/Rockpool_Wines.html
If any forumites should make the journey, I'd certainly love to read the notes. I'm looking forward to an '82 Trotanoy from the 'cellar', which apparently comes so very close in this superb vintage.

$530 ???? Perhaps by the glass ?

[fred]

Everything is relative and Rockpool has had relative bargains:-

Just over a decade ago I was one of a table of 4 which went to dine there on that occasion for only 1 reason: 1961 Ch. Latour at $600 per bottle. Now, to most sane peole spending $600 on a 750ml bottle of wine is nuts under any circumstances but the people on this Board will understand...

All 4 diners were "wine nuts" ("geeks" was not a term in wide circulation at the time) with considerable experience.

Even then you could not buy that wine for that price.

It emerged that they had 3 bottles: the first was glorious, the second corked (what an experience rejecting the 1961 Latour - and some kerfaw!) - the third glorious.

Yes we only paid for 2 bottles (& how p***ed off would you have been if you had bought that one corked bottle at almost any price?).

I do not frequent Rockpool anymore owing to, inter alia, the attitude of staff which may be cited as "How fortunate that we allow you to come & eat here", & the perceived value, but the food has been excellent at times, and there WAS that bargain...

Remeber many paid far less for wines which now command astronomical prices:-

1971 Grange $13.20 (and I could have paid only $12.50!!!)

1976 HOG $4.27
1976 Mt Edelstone $3.77

1982 Ch Margaux $140

1982 Ch Petrus $160

1983 Moss Wood CS $9



and don't even thionk what Sydney real estate cost....

but the point is the purchasing power of money was higehr then; people earned less and in terms of wine, the number who were passionate was far fewer.

So what do you do : you value the wines for what you paid for them and drink them for enjoyment if that was the purpose of your purchase.

If you have to sell them you will get more than your money back - but often considerably less than the advertised price, and you will miss out on the joy of finding out just how great that wine was....or the disappointment that it wasn't!

[markg]

It emerged that they had 3 bottles: the first was glorious, the second corked (what an experience rejecting the 1961 Latour - and some kerfaw!) - the third glorious.

[Adam]

Having the 61' Beychevelle at $1500 and the 82 Petrus at $520 doesnt quite make sense.

Im in Sydney next week, if it is true, you will see me quietly sitting by myself consuming this!! Unless others want to join?

[Jakob]

BTW, that is one of the worst and most over-priced wine lists I have ever come across. How many terrible vintages of crap wines can you fit on the one page!!! Bin 28 for $110!!!!!!! Oh please, some-one tell then to get their hands off it.

Heheh Yes, the prices are, with few exceptions, awful. The level of choice offered could hardly be denounced though, and for those able ( and willing! ) to pay, that has to be a point of merit.

[radioactiveman]

I'm looking forward to an '82 Trotanoy from the 'cellar', which apparently comes so very close in this superb vintage.

Jakob,

Had this a couple of weeks ago. David Lole brought one along to a dinner here in Canberra. The following are his notes:

Chateau Trotanoy 1982 - This took some time to open up. Full of 'tinned corn' (GW), this fully mature Pomerol reveals an elegant, savoury mix of fruit and cedary oak, low acidity and melting tannins. Slightly out of place in this lineup to be fully appreciated, this wine was overshadowed by the previous wine. Excellent, all the same.

I thought this wine was wonderful. My first experience of a good merlot, one with structure and not just lolly sweetness. Blew me away. The previous wine mentioned in the note was an '83 Hunter River Burgundy.


Cheers

Jamie

[Gavin Trott]

The previous wine mentioned in the note was an '83 Hunter River Burgundy.


Cheers

Jamie

Jamie

Don't tell me, the

1983 Lindemans Hunter River Shiraz Bin 6600

[radioactiveman]

The previous wine mentioned in the note was an '83 Hunter River Burgundy.


Cheers

Jamie

Jamie

Don't tell me, the

1983 Lindemans Hunter River Shiraz Bin 6600

Gavin,

Yes, that's the one. It was quite good also. I was spoiled that night.



Cheers

Jamie

[radioactiveman]

Gavin,

Just read your latest mailer. Now I know why you asked.


I'm very tempted. Very, very tempted.


Cheers

Jamie

[Guest]

Radioactive Man

Would you care to share your tasting notes and thoughts about the 83 Lindemans 6600 please.

[radioactiveman]

Radioactive Man

Would you care to share your tasting notes and thoughts about the 83 Lindemans 6600 please.

Notes from the night (David Lole, aka Shrek):

Lindeman's HR Burgundy Bin 6600 1983- Still a healthy ruby colour verging to red in the edge. Still fresh, integrated nose and palate of licorice, raspberry, old leather and a little spice. Mid-weight, fine structure, excellent finish. Excellent stuff. Will go for quite a few years on this showing, one would think. Outstanding FWII.


For some at the dinner it was wine of the night, but not for me as I liked the Trotanoy the best. The 6600 would have been top three, though.

I didn't take notes but what David described above pretty much holds true for me. I thought it was quite enjoyable and may seek out some more.

Hope this helps

Cheers

Jamie


David: I hope you don't mind me posting your notes.

[Cables]

Thanks for that.

Based upon what one can currently buy in the same price region, the 6600 seems to represent good value for money.

I've ordered a few and will await with a keen interest as I help the cork do its little piroet out of the bottle.

[David Lole]

Radioactive Man

Would you care to share your tasting notes and thoughts about the 83 Lindemans 6600 please.

Notes from the night (David Lole, aka Shrek):

Lindeman's HR Burgundy Bin 6600 1983- Still a healthy ruby colour verging to red in the edge. Still fresh, integrated nose and palate of licorice, raspberry, old leather and a little spice. Mid-weight, fine structure, excellent finish. Excellent stuff. Will go for quite a few years on this showing, one would think. Outstanding FWII.


For some at the dinner it was wine of the night, but not for me as I liked the Trotanoy the best. The 6600 would have been top three, though.

I didn't take notes but what David described above pretty much holds true for me. I thought it was quite enjoyable and may seek out some more.

Hope this helps

Cheers

Jamie


David: I hope you don't mind me posting your notes.

Not at all, Jamie.

The two wines in question were served side by side with the Trotanoy served after the Lindy's. The 6600 was far more open, upfront and fruitier having been decanted some time earlier. Unfortunately the Trotanoy was straight from the bottle and suffered in comparison. With the small amount each person received, the Trotanoy probably needed a decent decanting to show its best on the night. Such is life.