Penfolds Re-corking Clinics

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As mentioned in posts in a number of threads (mainly the EpiQure and Nice Wines I have drunk, IIRC) there are a number of us with wine collections that include Penfolds wines, from which a number may be eligible to go to the re-corking clinics.

Now the nature of the clinics (given a certain time on a certain day) may mean that there won't be any AFF meet ups, but I know there will be a number of very interested members about what goes on at the clinics.

Allow me to now post some background for those interested.
 
Confirmation of my date and time received today:

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So if any other AFF'ers happened to have scored a similar time at the BNE clinic, I'll see you there
 
I registered a bottle 40+ y.o. Grange for Melbourne in early September.

Sydney and Brisbane session are booked out.

T&C's said:
1. Eligibility Criteria The purpose of a PENFOLDS Re-corking Clinic ("Clinic") is to service PENFOLDS red table wines that meet the eligibility criteria. PENFOLDS reserves the right to refuse to open any bottle of wine, regardless of whether it meets the eligibility criteria.

1.1 ELIGIBLE WINES

To be eligible for the Clinic, a wine must be:

  • a PENFOLDS red table wine;
  • at least 15 years old; and
  • must not be an Ineligible Wine.

1.2 INELIGIBLE WINES

If a wine meets the following criteria under (a) or (b) below, it will not be eligible for assessment at the Clinic ("Ineligible Wine").

  • Automatic Ineligibility
    A wine will not be eligible for assessment at the Clinic if it:
    • is without a label;
    • has a label that is illegible; or
    • has been assessed at a previous Clinic.
  • Discretionary Ineligibility
    A wine may not be eligible for assessment at the Clinic, as determined by PENFOLDS in its absolute discretion, if:
    • the level of wine has dropped below the shoulder; or
    • the bottle has experienced water submersion.

1.3 OTHER

We note that:

  • bottles in good condition will not normally be opened;and
  • under no circumstances will PENFOLDS re-label any wine that is presented at the Clinic

2. Assessment: Wines After 1960 (1960 vintage onwards, inclusive)


  • Both the PENFOLDS winemaker and the owner of the wine must decide whether or not to open the wine.
  • Once agreed, PENFOLDS shall taste and assess the wine.
  • If in PENFOLDS absolute discretion the wine is in an acceptable condition and the wine is found to be a good example of the wine style and vintage, the wine will be:
    • topped up with a recent vintage of the same wine;
    • re-corked with a Clinic cork;
    • re-capsuled at the Clinic; and
    • labelled with a Clinic Certification label, signed and dated by a PENFOLDS winemaker.
  • In these circumstances the Clinic Certification label will certify that the wine has been opened, tasted and re-corked by PENFOLDS at the Clinic.
  • Wines opened, tasted and the wine determined by PENFOLDS to be in unacceptable condition, meaning that the wine will not benefit from further cellaring or is no longer a good example of the wine style and vintage (�Unacceptable Condition�), will be re-corked with a plain, unbranded cork. Under no circumstances will these wines be topped up, re-capsuled or have the Clinic Certification label affixed.

3. Assessment: Wines From 1950s Vintages (1950-1959 vintages inclusive)

Both the PENFOLDS winemaker and the owner of the wine must decide whether or not to open the wine.

3.1. UNOPENED WINE

If the PENFOLDS winemaker and the owner decide not to open the wine, a Museum Curio Clinic Certification label will be affixed to the wine.

3.2 OPENED WINE

  • If the PENFOLDS winemaker and the owner of the wine agree to open the wine it will be tasted by PENFOLDS.
  • Once tasted, if the wine is determined by PENFOLDS, in its absolute discretion, to be:
    • in an Unacceptable Condition will be re-corked with a plain, unbranded cork and a Museum Curio Clinic Certification label will be affixed to the wine; OR
    • in an acceptable condition and the wine is found to be a good example of the wine style and vintage, the wine will be:
      • topped up with a recent vintage of the same wine;
      • re-corked with a Clinic cork;
      • re-capsuled at the Clinic; and
      • labelled with a Clinic Certification label, signed and dated by a PENFOLDS winemaker
  • In these circumstances the Clinic Certification label will certify that the wine has been opened, tasted and re-corked by PENFOLDS at the Clinic.

4. General

  • You are responsible for your wine at all times. PENFOLDS will take the utmost care in handling your wine, however, we accept no responsibility for any loss or damage to the wine or any other loss or damage that you may incur.
  • PENFOLDS does not provide any warranty that the services provided at the Clinic will improve the condition of the wine, add value to the wine or prevent the deterioration of the wine in the ordinary course.

Penfolds - 170 years of winemaking
 
Fingers crossed all the bottles are in top condition.

I'll be going to the Perth one in Sept.

Their provenance has been good (initially in my cellar dug out into the side of a hill (underneath my unit), then transferred into my fathers cellar when I moved into a house which didn't have the right conditions, then finally into my wine fridges in 2007 in my current home). As you say, fingers crossed.

This is my second one (my first was in Brisbane ~1998, IIRC), so will be interested in the changes. Hope to get some re-sealed and signed, not poured down the sink.

Will be interested in Langtons valuations as well - but as I intend to drink my collection, I'm not sure I want to know their real value...

Thought you might have a collection to assess :D
 
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I went to the last one in Perth a couple of years ago. They concluded that none of my wines (based on ullage) really required opening. I had two '96 St Henris (amongst others) and decided to open the one with the slightly lower level. Wine was in tip top shape so didn't touch the other. Naturally the other one turned out to be corked! Penfolds still dealt with it well and sent me a replacement of the at the time, current vintage and little something else.

I plan on taking the following (plus another three 1996 St Henris I still need to let them know about).

1990 Bin 90A Cabernet Shiraz 750ml
1990 Bin 920 Cabernet Shiraz 750ml
1996 Bin 707 750ml
1998 Bin 707 750ml
1998 Bin 707 750ml
1998 Bin 707 750ml
1998 St Henri Shiraz 750ml
1998 Grange 750ml

Post back here with the results of yours :)
 
BNE 5 August for me.

My last remaining Grange. Not too hopeful of a good report! :(
 
I went to the last one in Perth a couple of years ago. They concluded that none of my wines (based on ullage) really required opening. I had two '96 St Henris (amongst others) and decided to open the one with the slightly lower level. Wine was in tip top shape so didn't touch the other. Naturally the other one turned out to be corked! Penfolds still dealt with it well and sent me a replacement of the at the time, current vintage and little something else.

I plan on taking the following (plus another three 1996 St Henris I still need to let them know about).

1990 Bin 90A Cabernet Shiraz 750ml
1990 Bin 920 Cabernet Shiraz 750ml
1996 Bin 707 750ml
1998 Bin 707 750ml
1998 Bin 707 750ml
1998 Bin 707 750ml
1998 St Henri Shiraz 750ml
1998 Grange 750ml

Post back here with the results of yours :)

Did you feel it was better (luck) that they opened the good one rather than the spoiled one?

Will be posting, as I thought others going after me may profit from my experience.

My biggest concern is getting them from fridge to my wooden wine crates, then being at work (or in car) until I drag them out (Hilton car park) and carry up to the Hilton. Wonder which room they will take for the clinic?
 
I registered a bottle 40+ y.o. Grange for Melbourne in early September.

Sydney and Brisbane session are booked out.
... the bottle is a 1970 [1 PINT 6 fl.oz] - the wine is about 10mm above the shoulder ... had a few moves as well.
 
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Bad provenance - too many moves!

1645.
Depending on how many of mine they decide to open, it's likely I'll be there for my full hour. If I can stay around to meet you, I'll post to here on the day.
 
Did you feel it was better (luck) that they opened the good one rather than the spoiled one?

Will be posting, as I thought others going after me may profit from my experience.

My biggest concern is getting them from fridge to my wooden wine crates, then being at work (or in car) until I drag them out (Hilton car park) and carry up to the Hilton. Wonder which room they will take for the clinic?

If they had opened the corked one, would have just been easier to organise the replacement then and there. Instead had to go through their process of them sending me out a package to post the wine back to them. The end result would have been the same. Actually, wouldn't have had disappointment on the night of opening the dud bottle :)

Is your concern storage or just the hassle of carrying? Storage, wouldnt be concerned at all. Take them into an air-conditioned office if its going to be more than a couple of hours in the car (assuming undercover garage).
 
My big appointment awaits in a little under an hour. A little nervous about whether they open any and they are gone.

My biggest concern was getting them from fridge to my wooden wine crates, then being at work (by car) - this was done without a hitch. Now to get them out of the Wintergarden car park and carry into the Hilton.

Bad provenance - too many moves! 1645.

Depending on how many of mine they decide to open, it's likely I'll be there for my full hour. If I can stay around to meet you, I'll post to here on the day.
BVT, I was hoping to stay around to meet you, but have a client calling me at 4.30pm; so I'll just miss you.

By the way, if you are coming to the Hilton by car and parking in the Wintergarden car park, use the link in their email - you even get Acquire or QFF points :D

Secure Parking -Wintergarden - Brisbane

Alternative is $46 for between 1 and 2 hours :eek: - I got mine for $10
 
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