Penfolds 2014 release - any takers?

[Rednick]

Thanks for the note Michael, I picked up a 6 pack of this - good vintage and normally one of my favourite Bin wines, figured I couldn't go too wrong and from your note looks like a good punt.

Cheers - Nick

[Sean]

deleted

[sejanus]

My take on it is it's just a bad/average year so it's easy to slam them as quality drops but price remains fixed.

IMO the 2008/2010 Bin 28/389/407 are superb wines and whilst not bargains, I don't believe they are overpriced.

[Redwine&Rum]

My take on it is it's just a bad/average year so it's easy to slam them as quality drops but price remains fixed.

IMO the 2008/2010 Bin 28/389/407 are superb wines and whilst not bargains, I don't believe they are overpriced.

Agree. Can't see how they can keep raising prices for a bad vintage. Crazy business. What are they going to do in a damn good vintage. Raise the hell out of the prices again? Probably. The chinese will buy it all.
2011 was a horrible year, and combined with price increased, I am not touching any.

Add in the Bin 150 for 2008 and 2010. Sensational.

[daver6]

Does the average punter on the street really know what year was a good, average or rubbish vintage? My experience says no. They just go and buy Bin whatever because that's what they do.

[wiggum]

Yes you are right but the average punter will only buy a $75 389 for a special occasion or present etc in a single not a dozen. Surely that impacts on their inventory movement!!

[Diddy]

Has anyone else started receiving emails from retailers offering pre-sale on the upcoming Icon Releases?

The 2010 St Henri seems to be getting some strong reviews including 100 points from Andrew Caillard MW.

It's been offered at $85/bottle - what are your thoughts on the price point?

[Andy.L]

Has anyone else started receiving emails from retailers offering pre-sale on the upcoming Icon Releases?

The 2010 St Henri seems to be getting some strong reviews including 100 points from Andrew Caillard MW.

It's been offered at $85/bottle - what are your thoughts on the price point?

At that price, it's an easy pass for me. St Henri is a good wine in a good vintage, but I think it's worth is in the $60 mark.

Cheers
Andy

[GraemeG]

Cellartracker asks for a score

This field isn't mandatory.

Ha!

I posted 5000 notes, nary a score among them...
GG

[catchnrelease]

Has anyone else started receiving emails from retailers offering pre-sale on the upcoming Icon Releases?

The 2010 St Henri seems to be getting some strong reviews including 100 points from Andrew Caillard MW.

It's been offered at $85/bottle - what are your thoughts on the price point?

Considering Andrew Caillard is employed by Woolworths I'm sceptical as to just how impartial his points are.

$85 seems okay-ish by Penfolds standards. I may buy a bottle to keep for a special occasion down the track, given that it's 2010. I'm interested to see whether the 2009 Grange is still at the marked up price that the 2008 got. Likewise I'm intrigued by the 2010 Grange release - I wouldn't be surprised to see that one climb up in price even further.

[Diddy]

Has anyone else started receiving emails from retailers offering pre-sale on the upcoming Icon Releases?

The 2010 St Henri seems to be getting some strong reviews including 100 points from Andrew Caillard MW.

It's been offered at $85/bottle - what are your thoughts on the price point?

Considering Andrew Caillard is employed by Woolworths I'm sceptical as to just how impartial his points are.

$85 seems okay-ish by Penfolds standards. I may buy a bottle to keep for a special occasion down the track, given that it's 2010. I'm interested to see whether the 2009 Grange is still at the marked up price that the 2008 got. Likewise I'm intrigued by the 2010 Grange release - I wouldn't be surprised to see that one climb up in price even further.

Fair call regarding the impartiality of Caillard... That being said, if you look at the 100 points relative to other wines, say the 2009 Grange at 98 points, it suggests it's a decent wine in his opinion.

To answer the 2nd part of your comment regarding the 09 Grange pricing, the email I received suggested a shelf price of $986.00, but a pre-sale price of $695.00.

[n4sir]

The 2010 St Henri seems to be getting some strong reviews including 100 points from Andrew Caillard MW.

Has Caillard (along with Halliday & and few others) moved to CraigNZ's 107 point scale and forgot to mention it?

[daver6]

Has anyone else started receiving emails from retailers offering pre-sale on the upcoming Icon Releases?

The 2010 St Henri seems to be getting some strong reviews including 100 points from Andrew Caillard MW.

It's been offered at $85/bottle - what are your thoughts on the price point?

Its certainly a wine Im considering buying. I'm off to the Icons release dinner next week so will get a decent try then before buying. However, my gut tells me I should be able to get it for less than $85 somewhere in the next few months. Just don't believe the TWE hype that it will all sell out within a week due to Chinese demand

[Diddy]

However, my gut tells me I should be able to get it for less than $85 somewhere in the next few months. Just don't believe the TWE hype that it will all sell out within a week due to Chinese demand

I received another email today with a sub $80 price tag - let the price wars being!

[phillisc]

Umm Diddy this could get interesting, hope to try the 2010 St Henri tomorrow night here at Langtons 6th in little old Adelaide.

If I can get some at the price you are suggesting or less, then maybe 6 to put away.
Won't be trying Grange or anything else in the Pennies range...got to the point now in my humble wine life and buying habits, that I will now only taste wine at these sorts of functions that I intend to buy.
Can't see the point really and only gets me cross when I know I can not ever afford it...bit like a test drive of a Rolls...good expereince but unfortunately will never appear in my driveway .

Cheers Craig

ps. let the kraft man do his thing...trim trim and trim the price

[catchnrelease]

Out of interest, how many members here did purchase the 2008 Grange, and is anyone going to grab the 2009 vintage?

[maybs]

I am prepared to admit I grabbed 2 bottles of the 2008 Grange. Probably not a logical decision but in 20 years time when I am drinking it, also probably not one I will regret. Time heals all bank account wounds

[Diddy]

Out of interest, how many members here did purchase the 2008 Grange, and is anyone going to grab the 2009 vintage?

A few more reviews are starting to come through on the 09 Grange:-

http://www.goodfood.com.au/good-food/dr ... 37hnw.html

Huon Hooke - 93/100
Jeni Port - 94/100
Ralph Kyte-Powell - 94/100

Seems to be a reasonably general consensus that's it's not one of the 'classic' Granges.

[daver6]

Seems to be a reasonably general consensus that's it's not one of the 'classic' Granges.

Well Im shocked that this isn't the ninth consecutive vintage of the century!

[Diddy]

I believe Uncle Dan's is doing a free tasting of the St Henri later this afternoon at selected stores. They have details on their website.

[Gasman]

Picked up a six pack of St Henri at $72.90 a bottle from Dan's. Not too bad a price for what seems to be a classic vintage of I wine I quite like.

[Diddy]

Picked up a six pack of St Henri at $72.90 a bottle from Dan's. Not too bad a price for what seems to be a classic vintage of I wine I quite like.

Don't want to upset you, but it seems there's been a further price drop since this morning!

[catchnrelease]

Picked up a six pack of St Henri at $72.90 a bottle from Dan's. Not too bad a price for what seems to be a classic vintage of I wine I quite like.

Don't want to upset you, but it seems there's been a further price drop since this morning!

Also completely sold out!!! None of the stores near me had any stock left. Given the price has dropped below $70 I was up for a few bottles, but am now on the waiting list.

[Gasman]

Picked up a six pack of St Henri at $72.90 a bottle from Dan's. Not too bad a price for what seems to be a classic vintage of I wine I quite like.

Don't want to upset you, but it seems there's been a further price drop since this morning!

No stress. Happy to secure a case at $72.90 bottle. Interesting how the popularity of this vintage has pushed the price DOWN at Dan's. Seems contrary to usual market dynamics. Am I missing something?

[sejanus]

I'm having a glass of 2010 St Henri's as I work (tough I know).

It's a seriously good drop - an absolute steal at $73. I'm going to get a case.

[Diddy]

Picked up a six pack of St Henri at $72.90 a bottle from Dan's. Not too bad a price for what seems to be a classic vintage of I wine I quite like.

Don't want to upset you, but it seems there's been a further price drop since this morning!

No stress. Happy to secure a case at $72.90 bottle. Interesting how the popularity of this vintage has pushed the price DOWN at Dan's. Seems contrary to usual market dynamics. Am I missing something?

I think you were incredibly lucky to get them at $72.90. I called a few of the bigger retailers and they'd exhausted their allocations already!

I wonder whether it was a deliberate marketing ploy to restrict stock at launch...?

Should be interesting to see how quickly they come back into stock (if at all).

[Diddy]

Interesting how the popularity of this vintage has pushed the price DOWN at Dan's. Seems contrary to usual market dynamics. Am I missing something?

I was interested to see if they were trying to match other stores, but I can't see anywhere else sub $70 or even close for that matter.

Very interesting...

[Diddy]

Also completely sold out!!! None of the stores near me had any stock left. Given the price has dropped below $70 I was up for a few bottles, but am now on the waiting list.

Where are you based?

[Phil H]

Just attended an advertised tasting at a location that did not know they were tasting it. After a quick chat with the manager, a bottle was opened, needless to say there wasn't a queue.
Unfortunately the wine had no time to open up and as expected was very closed. Very dark inkish color, dark fruits - mainly blackcurrent, with oak in the background being very subdued. Tanins were prominent, with the wine having good length and balance. A classy wine showing plenty of potential.
In summary worth a go with the price down to $69.90 in single bottle buy. Needless to say just purchased 1 bottle to revisit in about 10years time.

[Gasman]

Good pick up Phil!