Beschreibung:

PENFOLDS GRANGE: 1951 - 1998 THE COMPLETE HISTORY FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER OUTSIDE OF AUSTRALIA EVERY VINTAGE OF GRANGE. THIS LIKELY ONE OFF HISTORIC AUCTION HAS EVERY GEM THE GRANGE CONNOISSEUR COULD WISH FOR. HISTORY Conceived by Max Schubert, who in 1948 was appointed Chief Red Wine Maker at Penfolds, during a visit to the major wine growing regions of Europe in 1950. Upon his return he wanted to produce a wine that had the capability of ageing and improving over a period of at least 20 years. Due to a lack of commercially available quantities of the Bordeaux grape varieties a decision was taken to use Shiraz. In 1951 an experiment was undertaken to make two different wines. One a control wine which was made in standard 1000 gallon, well seasoned, dry red cask and the other (Grange) to be aged in 5 small new, unseasoned oak barriques for what was to be a total of 18 months. After the success of this wine, Max Schubert went into production commercially in 1952. A few years later Penfolds head office started to ask questions as to why so much money was lying in the cellars not being sold. Samples from 1951 to 1956 were presented for an assessment by the then Managing Director, friends of the board and top management. As Max himself put it "The results were disatrous." One well known wine critic made the following remark "Schubert, I congratulate you. A very good, dry port, which no one in their right mind will buy, let alone drink." In 1957 just before the vintage, the news came down from head office, production of Grange was to stop. However, with the help of Jeffrey Penfold Hyland, Max continued on his quest. Production was reduced and as finance was no longer available for new barrels, the best of the old barrels were used. For the next three years through to the 1959 vintage Grange was made behind closed doors. As the earlier vintages began to soften and become more approachable, people began, albeit slowly, to take notice. Finally just prior to the 1960 vintage news reached head office that the wines, were, actually not that bad after all and the green light was given to resume production. The final triumph came in 1962 when Penfolds began entering the 1955 in the nation's wine competitions, the wine broke all records and an avalanche of Gold medals were awarded, over 50 in all. Australian wine as a whole has much to thank Max Schubert for, indeed we can all learn from the example he has set. As he himself said; "we must not be afraid to put into effect the strength of our own convictions, continue to use our imagination in wine-making generally, and be prepared to experiment in order to gain something extra, different and unique in the world of wine." Penfolds, Bin 1, Grange Hermitage--Vintage 1951 South Australia Level: into neck See front cover illustration An experimental wine, this first vintage was not commercially released. Only 160 cases produced. Perhaps one of the rarest wines we will offer this year. 1 bottle per lot