The Auswine Forum

Hi all, (my name is Clayton)
I have been hovering around the board for a while so thought it was time to join. I am only learning about wine so my input will be rather limited but I have made alot of my purchases based on the forum members thoughts displayed on this site.
I live abroad but most of my wine is stored in Newcastle for my return(not sure when) so I tend to have a soft spot for hunter shiraz!!! Is this bad???
I require a little help on an old topic, Grange, but any advice would help me out. I have just had the opportunity to purchase some 99 Grange at a reasonable price and also have the chance to get my hands on some 96. I have looked through my wine bibles and although 96 has great ratings the 98(also well rated) is much more expensive on the secondary market.
My reason for asking is I plan to sell a few bottles off in the future and keep a few for myself. I would rather know the reason for this price difference before it is too late.
Many forum memebers rave about the 96 vintage - my tastings are of cheaper bottles- ie.Bin range.
Thanks in advance.

Clayton
Welcome!
Others know Grange better than me, but 98 got hyped up more than 96, which helped it's secondary market price achieve such high levels. Whether the 98 hype remains, or market interest shifts to 96 or 99 in the future is a question you may wish to think about if it's partly about *investment.

For comparison, it's possible to get 99 Grange from some Uk companies (e.g. Majestic Wines) for ~ £100 (about €140), though this is cheaper than it had been. Anything under €160 for the 96 Grange would be very competitive with prices here.

Hope you enjoy the forum & your wines

Ian

* N.B. Good storage is vital if you're looking at this as an investment. Buyers want to know the cellaring history & it's probably worth looking at commercial cellaring facilities to provide proof of good storage & peace of mind for the future buyers. Factor this into the costs if you're looking seriously at the returns you'd expect. I personally don't use commercial cellaring, as I plan to drink every one of my bottles!

Hi frascati,

Liking Hunter Shiraz is a most noble trait. You are obviously a person of excellent character.

Yes, 1998 Grange received more hype in the US, therefore auction prices are greater. Here is Australia, the majority of wine lovers are seeing the general 1998 SA vintage to not be holding together as well as the 1996s, the majority of the Penfolds 1998 Bin range included in this general statement. However, I am not going to go out on a limb in saying the 1998 Grange compared to the 1996 Grange will not be as good, but many are stating the the 1996 is at least as good as the 1998. Buy the 1996.

Also, many are rating the 1999 a better vintage than the 1998 in the Barossa now - more structure for better aging while many 1998s are at their peak. Again, whether this applies to Grange will be found out in time.

Welcome,
Adair

Good to see another lurker has come out!

Everyone is welcome here regardless of expertise although I hope you move on from the Hunter