The Langton’s Penfolds auction has kicked off this week, with over 1800 bottles going under the hammer including a set of Grange from 1951 to 2014 and two bottles of 1951, the first vintage for Penfolds Grange.
The full set of Penfolds Grange is expected to break the Langton’s record for a Grange vertical, which currently stands at $349,500, which was paid for a 1951 to 2013 set at last year’s auction.
There are also two bottles of 1951 Penfolds Grange, which is the first vintage for this iconic wine, and these are expected to sell for over $70,000 each.
Tamara Grischy, Head of Auctions at Langton’s, said: “In 1995, I remember selling a set for $30,000. As the Penfolds brand has continued to evolve and become one of the biggest wine brands in the world, the demand keeps increasing.”
She added: “It’s very rare to see one bottle, let alone two, of the first Grange, which was a wine that Penfolds first Chief Winemaker Max Schubert made 68 years ago as an experiment. Both bottles are in amazing condition, and have outstanding provenance.
“This is a historic vintage, and represents the beginning of modern Australian wine. It is believed there are less than 20 bottles in circulation.”
There are also a number of other wines of note available in the auction, including 1963 St Henri, 1965 Penfolds Bin 389 and 1971 Penfolds Bin 389.
“You might be able to snap up a lovely Penfolds Bin for under $30. For under $60, you can probably get a Penfolds 1998 Kalimna Bin 28 Shiraz. It’s drinking beautifully at the moment, and can even be a nice first bottle to start your collection with,” Grischy said.
For novice collectors, Grischy added that research and patience are the secrets to success.
“Make sure to buy the best vintages of any wine, and be certain of provenance – buy through a trusted retailer or auction house,” she said.
“If you’re planning on starting a collection, make sure to store your wine correctly and get insurance if your wine is super premium. You can always contact one of our brokers for free advice and guidance, and they can also help you source wines for your collection, or sell wines on your behalf,” she added.
The auction, which is in its 23rd year and takes place every six months, started yesterday and will close Sunday 15 December at 7pm and you can head to the Langton’s website to see what is on offer.
“There’s always a mad rush of bidding in the last 30 minutes, so if you’re after a specific wine, make sure you’re alert on Sunday evening,” Grischy advised.