Oddbins final auction of the year was highlighted by the record price paid by the record price paid for a single bottle of Australian wine, $33,660 paid by an anonymous Queensland collector for the bottle of Penfolds Grange 1951.
The sale comprised 1,600 lots of premium Australian wine and small quantities of imported wine.
Wide interest in the sale was evidenced by over 200 bidders registering for the auction.
Keen interest was seen in the demand for 1950’s Grange – collectors are seeking the hard to find vintages to finish sets.
Prices remained firm, however bidders are becoming selective about vintages, and some areas such as the Coonawarra are feeling a backlash from bidders.
Shiraz remains the firm favourite, with the well published "Riesling Revival" continuing. A selection of older rieslings from Petaluma attracted a lot of interest.
A small selection of imported wine sold well:–
Ch Lafite 1953 - $1,250, 1961 - $920, 1967 - $165, 1983 - $200; Ch Le Pin 1985 - $720 and Ch de Valandraud 1993 - $680. Highly sort after burgundies from Domain Laurent achieved $130 for the Romanee St Vivant 1er cru, Aux Beaumonts 1995, while the Charmes Chambertin made $140.
Barossa Shiraz from some smaller makers sold well – Veritas Hanisch Shiraz 1996 - $55. Greenock Creek Creek Block Shiraz 1996 - $52, Torbreck Runrig Shiraz Viognier 1995 - $75 and the Steading Grenache 1997 - $55.00. These handcrafted wines, made in small quantities reflect the demand for high quality Barossa Shiraz and the excellence of recent vintages.