1996 Penfolds St Henri

[reschsmooth]

Would you buy a bottle of St Henri:

1. For $120?
2. From a bottle shop where they can't confirm it's history viz storage, etc but a bottle shop which specialises in semi-aged wines rather than cheap and cheerful new releases?

Thanks in advance

Patrick

[TiggerK]

Hmm,

I think I would only buy it if I was going to drink it within the next week or two, that way I could take it back if it tasted of either nothing (slightly oxidised - most likely scenario for a bad bottle), or really crap. For long term storage, and lets face it, while it'll likely be a great drop if a good bottle (after a solid long decant - but keep an eye on it), it really won't shine for another 5-15 years, so you pay your money you take your chances.

I've had a few too many bad old bottles to be generally confident personally. Bring on screwcaps for every bottle everywhere I say.

Cheers
TiggerK

P.S As an eternal optimist it pains me to sound cynical, but corks are such a lottery, esp with late 90's Aussie wines IMHO.

[Wayno]

Had a bottle of this a little while back. Good wine but not $120 good. Still I suppose it's all relative ...

[reschsmooth]

Thanks guys

I did ask, to see what they said, how the bottles had been stored for the last 10 years - imagining a bottle shop environment would not be ideal for wine storage with everybody else's grubby hands picking it up, etc. Anyway, she indicated that they had generally been cellared 'properly' and brought up to the shop front recently. She was non-commited and I didn't place too much weight on the comment.

They have at least 3 bottles there. I may get one soonish and try it out.

I ask about the price because: RRP for current release seems to be about $90-100 and elsewhere, I have seen 96 for north of $130 (I know, in and of itself does not make $120 a great price). Saw one listed as being signed by the wine maker for $160+ - I don't drink signatures.

[Partagas]

I agree with Tigger, if you are going to drink it soon then possibly yes. Price is about normal I think (not cheap). How is the ullage?

I have had the great pleasure in having had a few of these over the years and they hold a huge place in my fantastic wine experiences. All bottles tried were simply stunning, memorable and everything I adore about wine and Shiraz. Also had heaps of life left but the all round boldness with superb finesse and finish made it a gem at the time (after a big decant). So if you get the same sort of bottles I did (my bottles were all from Auction at different times, think I have had 4 or 5) look forward to a classic IMO.

Sam

[reschsmooth]

How is the ullage?

Good point - I haven't specifically checked the bottles for ullage or other signs of decay, so to speak. But, the capsules (from memory) looked reasonably clean and I will investigate levels next time I am in there.

[Softie]

No I would not because there are wine retailers who have a main stream activity of museum storage for later sale, and the prices for meticulously cellered bottles are much the same.

I bought one ST H 96 last year from one such source and LOVED it. If one has the money, a terrific way to learn about your taste for aged premium wines. But any retailer should back the product (esp. for regulars) or not sell it, IMO.

John