Cohn & Wolfe
The Australian bottle
Bordeaux may be the region that most oenophiles have in mind when they think of red wines worthy of a high price. But don’t discount Australia. The land down under has quite the reputation for quality vino. And no release speaks to that more than Penfolds’ Grange (around $850), a bottle that has become something of a cult sensation over the years. The most recent Grange, from the 2011 vintage, is made of 100% Shiraz and is described by the brand as a “majestic” wine with “grippy tannins” and flavor notes that range from black currant to boot polish (yes, boot polish). Cellaring is advised, since the wine won’t start to hit its peak years until 2018 (and those peak years will last until 2045). If you’re gifting a bottle, Penfolds can also arrange for it to be personalized with an engraved label for a $30 additional fee if you order through its site.
