Penfolds Recorking Clinic
Penfolds clinics have been called the ultimate in after sales service. This was my first visit to a Penfolds clinic, and that was pretty much how it turned out, the ultimate in service. I had 7 bottles of Grange, 6 x 91s and a 96, for the clinic. You have to register in advance and are given a time allocation. On arrival you check in and then are given the option of tasting a range of Penfolds current release wines while you wait. While waiting you can chat to others who have also bought along their pride and joy wines.
Then you get called into the main room. A bit like being called in from the doctor’s waiting room only much more fun. You are allocated to a wine maker who looks after you and your wine. In my case it was the man himself Peter Gago, Penfolds Chief Winemaker. He first had a look at all the bottles which he pronounced to be in excellent condition. This was no surprise as they had all been locked away in professional storage since purchase. He then suggested that since they all looked so good we would only open the 96 and one of the 91s and if it was ok we would leave the rest untouched and let sleeping dogs lie. Peter’s assistant then opened the two bottles, the corks were examined and the wine tasted, first by Peter and then by myself. He of course had to spit out, I did not feel the same obligation.
Both bottles were given a clean bill of health, topped up with the latest Grange, re corked, re sealed, labelled, certified and signed, re-wrapped in tissue paper, and in the case of the 91, put back in its wooden box.
It’s not often you get the chance to have 10 minutes or so of the undivided attention of one of Australia’s most renowned wine makers for a chat about his favourite subject. It’s almost worth the price of a bottle of Grange just for the experience.
If you have Penfolds wines which meet the criteria, i.e. over 15 years old, take the opportunity to attend a clinic when it comes around again in two years’ time. Of course there is always the risk that you will come away disappointed having discovered that you prize bottle is now worthless, but as Peter said, at least you can take it home and drink it tonight, there is no point in keeping it any longer.
