Super premiums and Penfolds Grange magnums dominated Oddbins April 4 auction.
The highlight of the sale was a bottle of Penfolds Grange 1958 selling for $13,751.
Current auction market favourites Three Rivers & Fox Creek, all attracted spirited bidding, selling above the estimates.
Grange magnums continued their resurgence, the 1990 selling for $1,700, 1991 $1,250 and the 1995 $1,1150.
Shiraz again dominated the sale, Hardys Eileen Hardy maintained its previous strong showing with Henschke Hill of Grace achieving or exceeding the top end of pre-sale estimates.
Buyers are becoming very much aware of the importance of vintage with recognised classic vintages such as 90, 91, 96 and the 98's coming onto the market and commanding a premium over lesser vintages from 92, 93, 95 and 97. A poor vintage from a major winemaking area can 'taint' a whole year, giving perceptive buyers a chance to purchase good wines at reasonable prices.
Demand for wines in the $15 or less category was slow, with the super premium and premium wines commanding all the attention. Given the reputation and small production figures of these wines, against similar quality wines from Old World regions, it is a mark of confidence and respect in the Australian Wine Industry, and perhaps an indication of where our future market lies.