Oddbins Wine Auctions 25th Anniversary Auction was highlighted by a world record price for a set of Australia’s leading red wine – Penfolds Grange – when 44 bottles spanning the years 1951 – 1994 sold for $123,200 to an anonymous Adelaide bidder.
The auction held in conjunction with Tasting Australia, the biennial wine & food media festival confirmed the demand for premium Australian Wines World-Wide.
Whilst the set of Grange was the talking point of the auction there were records or near record prices paid for many wines.
Of particular demand were South Australian shiraz with strong bidding for Jim Barry Armagh 1985 - $180, 1988 - $145 & 1990 - $175. Wendouree confirmed its status as a consistent achiever at $100+ per bottle, with vintages of shiraz 1985 - $130, 1990 - $170, 1991 - $110 and the recently released 1997 - $75.
Henschke wines were in demand – rare hard to obtain early vintages of Hill of Grace – 1962 (HS) - $400 and Mt Edelstone 1956 - $520, 1963 (HS) - $160. Hill of Grace, with the exception of some notable vintages such as 1990 now performs at the same level as Grange and in the case of spirited bidding on some lots, can exceed Grange in price – 1982 - $220/$240.
A collection of wines from Max Schuberts’ private cellar exceeded pre-sale expectations. The wines sold with a certificate of authenticity from Max’s wife Thelma, saw spirited bidding to acquire a piece of Australian wine making history.
A run of Granges from 1968 – 1979 realised $400 per bottle, and a 1964 Bin 389 a staggering $460. Other experimental bins from the late 1950’s and early 1960’s achieved between $300 to $800 a bottle.
Grange prices were strong, with a selection of wine from the 1950’s attracting keen bidding, highlighted by a bottle from 1957 selling for $9,000. Other strong prices were – 1991 - $270, 1986 - $325, 1980 - $235, 1975 - $250, 1971 - $590, 1966 - $520 and 1959 - $1,400.
Of the cabernets Mt Mary 1990 achieved $250, 1991 - $145 and 1995 - $115. Moss Wood 1990 - $100, 1991 - $90, 1994 - $90 were the top prices paid for this variety. With the exception of superb producers such as these, the grape variety lags in popularity behind its shiraz counterpart.
A range of Jimmy Watson winners, some with some ullages saw the 1962 Hardys Cabernet achieve $300, Penfolds Bin 64 1963 - $450 and Basedows cabernet shiraz 1969 - $60.
Of the larger formats an imperial of Hill of Grace 1989 sold for $4,900 and the same size of Tatachilla Foundation shiraz 1996 - $1,000.