By James Atkinson
Penfolds has announced the release of just twelve handmade vials of 2004 Kalimna Block 42 Cabernet Sauvignon valued at $168,000 each.
The limited edition, hand-blown glass ampoules are suspended within a wooden Jarrah cabinet by a bespoke glass plumb-bob.
"When a decision is made to open the ampoule a senior member of the Penfolds winemaking team will personally attend a special opening ceremony for the owner," the winemaker said.
"The winemaker will travel to the destination of choice, where the ampoule will be ceremoniously removed from its glass plumb-bob casing and opened using a specially designed, tungsten-tipped, sterling silver scribe-snap. The winemaker will then prepare the wine using a beautifully crafted sterling silver tastevin."
The glass sculpture was designed and hand-blown by Nick Mount, an internationally recognised glass artist.
Prominent Australian designer-maker Hendrik Forster prepared all the precious metal detailing. Furniture craftsman Andrew Bartlett designed and made the bespoke Jarrah cabinet, where the ampoule is suspended. The scientific–grade ampoule, designed to store the wine in an ideal environment, and encased within the glass sculpture, was created by veteran scientific glassblower Ray Leake.
The RRP will be around $168,000.00 AUD.