PENFOLDS ULTIMATE WINE ‘HEALTH CHECK’ CELEBRATES 25TH ANNIVERSARY WITH 2016 AUSTRALIAN TOUR
Penfolds Re-corking Clinics celebrate 25 years of exclusive after-sales service with a national tour across Australia. The highly sought-after Clinics provide collectors from around the world with complimentary wine ‘health checks’ for their Penfolds red wines, aged 15 years or older. The World Loves Melbourne enjoyed a remarkable visit to the Melbourne Re-corking clinic at Carousel in Albert Park, certainly an eye opener.
A unique proposal in the world of wine, Re-corking Clinics allow wine enthusiasts the opportunity to, as required, open and visually inspect their wine, assess the quality, top up, certify, and re-capsule their prized bottles, arresting any further deterioration due to leakage or low levels. The World Loves Melbourne was afforded the opportunity to submit a Penfolds St Henri 1993 Shiraz to the diagnostic process with Chief Winemaker, Peter Gago.
Chief Winemaker, Peter Gago is an affable true professional with an extraordinary knowledge of wine. You need to book your appointment at the clinic.
With the charming backdrop of Albert Lake, Peter Gago examined the bottle of 1993 Shiraz and was able to determine slight heat damage that caused the level to drop by a few millimetres. There was then a case made to replace the cork, and the process was highly impressive. The care in which Penfolds treats their customers and wine is amazing. We joked that the Chief Winemaker was also a surgeon, diagnosing then taking meticulous action.
Skill is involved in summising which piece of apparatus needed to re-cork the wine.
A supreme knowledge of Penfolds Wines and how they are meant to taste and look is required. Some of the senior wine experts at Penfolds, notably Peter Gago, have been around for decades and are top experts in their craft.
Peter also referenced the "form guide" of Penfolds wine, The Rewards of Patience by Andrew Caillard.
Penfolds has been providing the Re-corking Clinic service to collectors around the world since 1991, with over 130,000 bottles certified since their inception.
We even received detailed certification for our wine following the re-corking.
Wine owners must make a booking for their respective Clinic, where the Penfolds winemaking team will be on-hand to assess each registered bottle. “After 25 years, the Re-corking Clinics continue to amaze and evolve, transcending all our expectations,” says Chief Winemaker, Peter Gago. “The notion that every bottle has a story continues to reign true. As winemakers, it is so meaningful and rewarding to meet collectors and share their personal story of their wine’s unique journey. Professionally it is gratifying to witness the ongoing quality of rare treasures that span so many decades, each one adding to the unfinished story that is Penfolds.”
The wine also received a new cap. We do love the Penfolds bright red!
In addition to the wine assessment, a Clinic appointment allows the opportunity to meet with a Penfolds winemaker to recount the wine’s story, discuss drinking windows and cellaring recommendations. Peter recommended that we drink the St Henri 1993 Shiraz in the next few months, say for Christmas.
We were told you can only re-cork a wine once in its history.
All bottles that are re-corked will be certified and signed by the winemaker. A valuation service is also optionally provided by leading Australian fine wine auction house, Langtons.
The wine was then personally "gift wrapped" in luxe Penfolds wrapping.
Registrations are now open for the Australian Clinics. The program will then head overseas, visiting the UK, US and Canada before the end of the year.
What a service! We then adjourned for some wine tasting in the adjoining lobby. Not a bad way to spend an afternoon! Thank you Peter and Emma and Penfolds!
2016 Australian Penfolds Re-corking Clinics
Perth 9 – 10 August Fraser’s
Brisbane 18 – 19 August Gambaro Hotel
Sydney 6 – 8 September The Langham Hotel
Melbourne 20 – 22 September Carousel
Adelaide 11 – 12 October Penfolds Magill Estate
For further Re-corking Clinic information or to register please visit www.penfolds.com. Bookings are essential.