Grange 1998 - Q & A fr Peter Gago

MartinC · Post by **MartinC** » Sat Dec 13, 2003 4:13 pm

Link: http://fora.erobertparker.com/ubb/ultim ... 1;t=024056

Adam · Post by **Adam** » Sun Dec 14, 2003 2:20 pm

I spoke to the Korean importer of penfolds on Thursday night, he got allocated 60 6-packs...a pretty large allocation for a market like this!

Price is around $400-450, not too bad for a country with 65% import duties.

MartinC · Post by **MartinC** » Sun Dec 14, 2003 4:26 pm

The true story isnt answered here. Mr.Gago is just being diplomatic. I believed the OZ market got squeezed. A retailer I know got only 2 btls., some less than 30% of their usual allocation. If there is a ration, I believed the stocks are being hoarded for capital appreciation due to the market demand.

The international market got their fair share. The reason it's readilly available in UK is becos generally the Pom's palate are more inclined towards subtlety and very old aged wines and Grange seems a bit too "rich" for their liking.

I believed by doing this Penfolds will pissed their regular supporters(retailers/consumers alike) and I forsee they will face hard times trying to flog their 1999 & 2000 Grange in the near future.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Dec 19, 2003 12:23 am

MartinC wrote:
The reason it's readilly available in UK is becos generally the Pom's palate are more inclined towards subtlety and very old aged wines and Grange seems a bit too "rich" for their liking.

Really?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Dec 19, 2003 1:25 am

Martin

Thanks for the tip off re 98 Grange and th UK. Let's keep quiet til after X-mas as I am trying to marry a few logistical problems- 2 cases London-Bahrain-Adelaide!

I would be devastated to miss the opportunity!

Davo · Post by **Davo** » Fri Dec 19, 2003 1:54 am

Interestingly 2 bottles of 98 were sold at auction in Perth this month for $445 and $443 each. This is down by about $50 a bottle from the previous month and about $250 a bottle cheaper than I have seen it from several retailers I have seen.

Where does this fit into the conspiracy theory?

JamieBahrain · Post by **JamieBahrain** » Fri Dec 19, 2003 6:09 am

Davo

Is that apples and oranges? Does it include buyers premium?

I suppose the conspiracy theory maybe the freely available Grange 98 on the overseas markets at under $400 Aus a bottle.

Davo · Post by **Davo** » Fri Dec 19, 2003 10:32 pm

JamieBahrain wrote:Davo

Is that apples and oranges? Does it include buyers premium?

I suppose the conspiracy theory maybe the freely available Grange 98 on the overseas markets at under $400 Aus a bottle.

JB,

Add 8% buyers premium and it still is a lot less than the $700 a bottle I have seen it at retail.

Overseas is less GST and WET so should be around 38% cheaper than Oz.

London Correspondent · Mon Dec 29, 2003 12:49 am

Grange in London was STG 109 upon release, about AUD 243 at the time, although the AUD has flexed its muscles since.

Exporting back into Oz attracts a 48% import duty, so it's still cheaper than buying locally.

JM

JamieBahrain · Post by **JamieBahrain** » Mon Dec 29, 2003 4:08 am

JM

What are storage costs in London for a case of wine?

What is the London market doing re 98 Grange? Up or down or both?

Just in the process of buying a case.

Regards JamieBahrain

London Correspondent · Sat Jan 03, 2004 8:17 am

Jamie,

Sorry for the tardy response, I've been busy getting food poisoning in Rome.............don't ask. BTW, what's up with those tragic Italian wines?

I bought the Grange from two Supermarkets for STG 109. I know Tesco's has some at this price in South Kensington/Earls Court. To be honest, it's been sitting beside my desk at work while I've been locating a shipper willing to take care of the import tax, not an easy task!

London cellar providers are very thin on the ground. Best of luck.

JM