The Auswine Forum

I will be there on the 28th about 9am with a varied collection of wines. anybody else going?
I think forumites may be interested in everyones experiences.
Hold nothing back, good, drink-up or totally stuffed please let us all know.

I live in hope that I do not have too much drain cleaner.

Here's a question.....

How dud does a wine have to be before the re-corking clinic suggests it be used as drain-cleaner?

The reason I ask is that at auctions, if looking at granges more than 25 years of age, is it "safe" to bid for those "passed" by the clinic in the last few years? Of note, they often sell for less than those untouched by the re-corking clinic.

Interested in any thoughts/experiences.

Cheers,

Monghead.

crusty2 wrote:I will be there on the 28th about 9am with a varied collection of wines. anybody else going?
I think forumites may be interested in everyones experiences.
Hold nothing back, good, drink-up or totally stuffed please let us all know.

I live in hope that I do not have too much drain cleaner.

I'm not going this year - my only two bottles with low fill levels/leaking capsules got passed with flying colours two years ago at the last clinic. It's a great experience crusty, and I think you'll find it interesting - my fingers are crossed all your bottles pass too.

monghead wrote:Here's a question.....

How dud does a wine have to be before the re-corking clinic suggests it be used as drain-cleaner?

The reason I ask is that at auctions, if looking at granges more than 25 years of age, is it "safe" to bid for those "passed" by the clinic in the last few years? Of note, they often sell for less than those untouched by the re-corking clinic.

Interested in any thoughts/experiences.

Cheers,

Monghead.

Clinics only open and assess wine that have ullage levels below the base of the neck and/or signs of significant leakage - wines in good visual condition won't be opened. As someone mentioned before, it's a good way of weeding out bad bottles before someone else buys them at auction. If the wines aren't up to scratch (ie corked or oxidised) the owners will be told on the spot - the wines won't be refilled or recapsuled, and stopped with a plain cork without Penfolds branding. Auction houses should be aware of this, and any bottles in this condition should be near worthless.

Penfolds hosted a ROP tasting just last year and looked at an almost complete vertical, so I'd expect the winemakers on hand will make a pretty accurate judgement on the spot if a bottle isn't up to expectations. While in the past they've passed some slightly advanced bottles and added an amended drinking window to the clinic label, I wouldn't be surprised if they're ruthless this time around - at the last clinic they suspected some bottles had been through previous ones and had their clinic labels removed prior to/after sale at auction.

Auction houses highlight bottles that have passed the clinics because they figure it should generate a higher sale price. The exception would be potential purchasers who don't like the idea of bottles being topped up with a small amount of the current vintage, or the thought of taking the chance on another cork after one has already done the job (although of course, the reason it's being examined is the cork's on its way out anyway). Personally that's something I can cope with, and I'd pay more for a bottle that's passed a clinic.

Cheers,
Ian

I went to the Sydney clinic and couldn't have been happier with my experience. The staff were so nice, accommodating and approachable.

I took a bottle of 1974 St Henri, which I bought at auction (due to it being my birth year) and didn't think I'd have much luck with it. I know the vintage was pretty awful and, in addition, the capsule was damaged.

They withdrew the cork in one piece, which was a feat in itself, and poured a little in a glass. I was surprised to see a vibrant red colour and the guy who was helping me commented that he thought it may still be good! I let out a sigh of relief. He tasted it and said it was still holding up well, though I'd probably need to drink it this year. I even got a chance to taste it before he topped it up with the current vintage. He then certified the bottle with a special sticker and walked me over to the corking machine. The guy there leveled out my bottle, re-corked and re-capsuled it and wrapped it in some Penfolds clinic paper.

It was such a great time - I didn't want to leave!

Quick question as an aside.

If your Penfolds is found to be corked at one of the clinics, does Penfolds have any policy on replacement of faulty bottles (corks)? Assuming one can provide proof of purchase.

Mattwine wrote:Quick question as an aside.

If your Penfolds is found to be corked at one of the clinics, does Penfolds have any policy on replacement of faulty bottles (corks)? Assuming one can provide proof of purchase.

I don't know to be honest - I haven't read or heard of any replacement policy in regards to TCA ruined wine discovered at clinics. I only witnessed one rejected bottle when I went and that was an oxidised 1983 Grange. That was at the very end of the second day, and they said it was an unusually good run with only a few rejects over the two days.

Cheers,
Ian

Took an 83 Grange to the clinic in Melbourne last week and it was corked. They don't replace on the spot. I don't think it would matter if you can't provide proof of purchase - if it's corked it's corked. Rang Penfolds 'customer service' line yesterday and left a message on their answering service - still watiing for a call back.

JF wrote:Took an 83 Grange to the clinic in Melbourne last week and it was corked. They don't replace on the spot. I don't think it would matter if you can't provide proof of purchase - if it's corked it's corked. Rang Penfolds 'customer service' line yesterday and left a message on their answering service - still watiing for a call back.

From recent experience it is a bit of a corporate machine. Found a nice guy at the other end on one call but he has since left the company. Good luck and let us know how it goes!

cheers

Carl

Well after a slow start things couldn't have ended better. After not having my first call returned I made a second call yesterday afternoon and managed to speak to an actual real life human being. I explained my situation with Alex from customer relations and he promptly replied that if the taster at the clinic said it was corked then that's good anough for him. I made a time to meet Alex at Fosters head office in Southbank this morning to arrange a replacement. At 11.15 a.m. Alex promptly handed over a 2002 Grange and I gladly handed over my corked 83.

Well done Fosters/Penfolds.

Disclaimer: I own Fosters shares (unfortunately)

JF wrote:Well after a slow start things couldn't have ended better. After not having my first call returned I made a second call yesterday afternoon and managed to speak to an actual real life human being. I explained my situation with Alex from customer relations and he promptly replied that if the taster at the clinic said it was corked then that's good anough for him. I made a time to meet Alex at Fosters head office in Southbank this morning to arrange a replacement. At 11.15 a.m. Alex promptly handed over a 2002 Grange and I gladly handed over my corked 83.

Well done Fosters/Penfolds.

Disclaimer: I own Fosters shares (unfortunately)

Not bad. New for old but a decent outcome (got the 02 instead of the current 03)

One caveat is that it seems informal rather than an organized process. Need to find out if the US and UK clinics have similar outcomes now.

cheers

Carl