Super premium wines
It is now only 3 weeks to the annual release of Australia’s most famous wine, Penfolds Grange, on Thursday 2 May. This year it is going to be more expensive than ever and it is timely to consider the alternatives at that rarified end of the market.
First to Grange
This year’s release, the 2008 vintage, has been rated 100points by The Wine Advocate, it doesn’t get any better than that! The recommended retail price for Grange this year will be $785, up $100 on last year’s vintage!
Henschke Hill of Grace
But there are alternatives. Australia’s second most famous wine is Henschke’s Hill of Grace. The latest vintage, also the 2008, has recently been released and is available for $595 which is similar to last year’s price. Incidentally this is the 50th vintage of Hill of Grace. Hill of Grace and Grange are two quite different wines, although they are both Shiraz. Grange is a multi-region blend while Hill of Grace is a single vineyard wine and they taste quite different.
Torbreck The Laird
Torbreck is a relative new comer to this end of the market with only two vintages of The Laird having been released, 2005 and 2006. The 2006 is available for $700 and is the only one of these super premiums I haven’t tried. But having drunk a couple of bottles of the “cheaper” Run Rig, only $225, which were sensational, and having heard Dave Powell’s personal description of the development of The Laird, I am sure it will be worth the money.
Chris Ringland
Of course topping all these in the price stakes is the Chris Ringland Shiraz. It could cost you somewhere between $800 and $1200 if you can find a bottle! It is an awesome wine and yes it is superior to Grange and Hill of Grace.
