The Auswine Forum

Received an email calling for registrations for the upcoming re-corking clinics later this year.

Announced dates & locations:-


I've put myself down for my sole bottle of Grange - anyone else planning on attending?

Tempted to take my only old bottle (1982) in, but at the same time a bit scared that I might have to hear what I don't want to hear!

Bobthebuilder wrote:Tempted to take my only old bottle (1982) in, but at the same time a bit scared that I might have to hear what I don't want to hear!

https://www.penfolds.com/en-au/wine-adv ... -questions

seems like if you have concerns or you're worried it's worth going.

Bobthebuilder wrote:Tempted to take my only old bottle (1982) in, but at the same time a bit scared that I might have to hear what I don't want to hear!

I would have thought potentially win-win - if found to be faulty you're part of the way there to getting a replacement and if in good nick then at least you can rest easy!

Hopefully the Adelaide dates roughly coincide with the new releases.
Have not been to Magill for about 5 years.
Whilst I won't ever be lining up with the lemmings, there's a good opportunity for Pennies to put on a few decent reds to fill the time in nicely, whilst we wait to have bottles checked.
Cheers
Craig.

My experience a few years ago with a couple of Bin 90As was good but you have to be careful. On inspection they advised both were in fine condition and did not need to be opened. What if they were corked? After some debate they agreed to check the contents and guess what - One was horribly corked. Ian (N4sir) could smell it across the room. Not their fault and they suggested a current release Grange as a replacement however after waiting almost 20 years I suggested another Bin 90A was the correct replacement. Sparky was there and she wanted to source a replacement which came a few days later. Both are now in the cellar waiting for them to mature. After reading various TNs this will not be any time soon but I am a very patient person.

Carl

Which vintage of Grange will they use to top up the bottles or replace corked bottles? I'm guessing 2011? Might be a better idea to wait for next year's clinic when 2012 Grange will be available.

I have a few bottles of 1986 and 1996 Grange, all bought many years back as I think there is better value around in wines more to my current taste than the current prices asked for Grange. I wouldn't be having them checked as I don't agree with the underlying philosophy of the way TWE runs this. My understanding (and feel free to correct me if I am mistaken) is that when inspection and recorking is done by Bordeaux chateaux they require a quantity of the vintage in question and a good bottle of the same vintage is sacrificed to top up any bottles that are sound but have low levels ie the re-corked wine is still all the vintage on the label. Topping up a wine with a current vintage to my mind creates a new wine different to what was originally bottled so its not for me.

Ozzie W wrote:Which vintage of Grange will they use to top up the bottles or replace corked bottles? I'm guessing 2011? Might be a better idea to wait for next year's clinic when 2012 Grange will be available.

Ozzie, good point.
I might not take the three granges (86, 90 and 94) along and just bring Magill's, St Henri and 707.

Cheers
Craig

Ozzie W wrote:Which vintage of Grange will they use to top up the bottles or replace corked bottles? I'm guessing 2011? Might be a better idea to wait for next year's clinic when 2012 Grange will be available.

2012 Grange is due for release in October, if you are really lucky you may get a top-up with that instead of the 2011 vintage (although I would not bet on it - it may be worth asking in advance)...

Australian clinics are every 2 years, so unless you are planning on going to an overseas clinic you will not get a top up with the 2012 Grange next year. More likely, you would be looking at the 2013 vintage in 2 years time, maybe the 2014.

Cheers,
Ian

What will people be taking to the clinic?

I'll be taking:
- 12 84 St Henri
- 2 76 Koonunga Hill
- 2 76 Bin 707

I'll have to dig around the cellar to find what else is hiding.

Taking a couple of 86 Grange and 3 Bin 90A's

I have more I could take but i'll wait a few more years.

What happens at the recorking clinic? Say if I had a 70's bottling with a white capsule, is it replaced with a white capsule or a red one? Do they mark on the bottle that the wine has been "clinic-ed", assuming that the wine is still sound?

AaronL wrote:What happens at the recorking clinic? Say if I had a 70's bottling with a white capsule, is it replaced with a white capsule or a red one? Do they mark on the bottle that the wine has been "clinic-ed", assuming that the wine is still sound?

Last year they were putting red caps on (first one that I have been too, so not sure on prior years)
If the wine is sound, a sticker is applied and signed.

sch5252 wrote:

AaronL wrote:What happens at the recorking clinic? Say if I had a 70's bottling with a white capsule, is it replaced with a white capsule or a red one? Do they mark on the bottle that the wine has been "clinic-ed", assuming that the wine is still sound?

Last year they were putting red caps on (first one that I have been too, so not sure on prior years)
If the wine is sound, a sticker is applied and signed.

Red capsules for a long time. see links for examples of clinic and non-clinic bottles @ Wickmans current auction
https://www.wickman.net.au/auction/APVi ... p?ID=15337
https://www.wickman.net.au/auction/APVi ... p?ID=15338

cheers
Phill

Thanks for that. I've seen a bottle of 1976 Grange with an unusually high fill level, as per below:



Doesn't mention anything about being cliniced, but given the high level and red capsule, it's probably safe to assume so

Just attended the Perth clinic where they recorked my 1982 and 1991 Grange. Peter Gago was great to talk to and said my 1982 is borderline and should be drunk within the next year - oh well, looks like I'll have to drink it!

Oh, they filled it up with 2008 - great vintage!! New cork, new cap, and nice grange tissue paper to wrap it in.

All in all, a fabulous service IMHO

WAwineguy wrote:Peter Gago said my 1982 is borderline and should be drunk within the next year

Was he referring to your particular bottle, or to the vintage in general?

AaronL wrote:Thanks for that. I've seen a bottle of 1976 Grange with an unusually high fill level, as per below:



Doesn't mention anything about being cliniced, but given the high level and red capsule, it's probably safe to assume so

Assumptions are the root of all stuff ups.
It could just as easily be a fake. Someone stuffed up and faked the red capsule rather than a white one.
Cliniced bottles all have a label on the back and are signed by one of the wine makers (Like the one below)
The label looks in too good condition to be 40 years old. Perhaps someone who has had experience with 76 Grange could comment on the over all look of the bottle/label, capsule etc.
If I was offered it for sale I would not be buying it.
Remember what Rudy did. I'm sure others will be out there doing it too.
I'd be intersted to know what an experienced acutioneer thinks (That's your cue Mark Wickman).

Bytown Rick wrote:

WAwineguy wrote:Peter Gago said my 1982 is borderline and should be drunk within the next year

Was he referring to your particular bottle, or to the vintage in general?

My bottle. Relax

WAwineguy wrote:

Bytown Rick wrote:

WAwineguy wrote:Peter Gago said my 1982 is borderline and should be drunk within the next year

Was he referring to your particular bottle, or to the vintage in general?

My bottle. Relax

Thanks .