The Auswine Forum

sparky wrote:

Michael McNally wrote:

Chuck wrote:All back in the cellar for another 10-15 years+. Many thanks Penfolds and Moira for your excellent service. A very pleasant experience tasting these wine and knowing they will be in good nick tucked in bed for the long haul.

Stelvin rocks!

Chuck

Sorry Chuck, are you saying they are re-corking Grange etc in screwcaps????? It is one way you could interpret your statement.

Cheers

Michael

No, of course we don't re-cork Grange in screwcaps. It wouldn't be a re-corking clinic then, it would be a decanting clinic.

Sorry for the confusion. Merely a statement on closures. I'm a total convert although I recall Peter Gago (I think) raising the issue of Stelvins in the secondary market in the future. The telltale signs of poor storage (excessive ullage, leakage etc) may not be as obvious with stelvin.

Chuck

You may say I should get out more, but I will never forget the very pleasant experience of my first (and only) Penfolds Clinic at the Ridge Hotel in Brisbane in 2002.
I arrived with my six early '70s Grange and was invited to taste the current Penfolds releases while I waited for my appointment. I had taken a good friend with me and the whole process absolutely knocked his socks off. We were treated like honoured guests by the staff & winemaker who officiated (can't remember his name) but regretably two of my six were over the hill. The other four were tasted (by all of us) and topped up, recorked & certificated. We finished off a terriffic experience with a complimentary coffee watching the sun set over the city.
I subsequently sold the remaining four Grange at auction for considerably less than their book value but was happy as I paid about $25. each in 1975.

I have to say I took a 82 Grange to the Sydney Clinic a couple of weeks ago. The 9:30 roll call was not to early to being offered a collection of tastings, had a good chat with the wine makers and other attendees. The Grange was perfect for it's age, more tastings and a certified bottle later I was off to find a coffee before getting into the car. The Grange will be drunk this christmas with dad, looking forward to it already. In some ways I am very critical of Penfolds however I cannot fault their service and experience with the clinic, really well done.