Your chance to snap up an Imperial of fine wine

Imperials are six-litre bottles of wine, much loved by collectors. 

A selection of imperials containing wines from some of Coonawarra's best producers will go under the hammer next week at the Coonawarra Imperial Auction, one of the highlights for attendees at the Coonawarra Vignerons Cup race meting. 

For the first time since 2016, organisers have opened registrations for external bidding - so anyone can get their hands one one of the huge collectibles like those from previous years modelled here by Nick Zema from Zema Estate (top) and John Innes from Ottelia (below). 

The bottles will be up for grabs on Thursday, January 12, to coincide with the 41st running of the Coonawarra Vignerons Cup. Vintages will range from 1991 to 2019. 

Coonawarra Vignerons Marketing and Events Officer Heidi Guyett said wine collectors across Australia are expected to bid. 

“It’s been two years since the Coonawarra Vignerons Cup Marquee event has been hosted, so there has been great anticipation around the return of the event and the release of the auction wines in particular,” she said

“Each of the wines is a one-off, presented in a bespoke velvet lined Jarrah box, and labelled for the 2023 36° South Coonawarra Vignerons Cup Day Event, making them instant collectors’ items.”

And if the winemaker/ producer is in the marquee the wine will also be personally signed before being handed over. 

“The auction presents a rare opportunity to purchase one-off individual wines from some of Coonawarra's top producers," says Frank DiGiorgio, managing director and owner of DiGiorgio Family Wines. 

The catalogue includes a multi award-winning 1991 St Hugo Cabernet Sauvignon, and a Wynns Coonawarra 2016 O’Deas 3.13."

Two AP John wine barrels will also be auctioned, available exclusively to ticket holders at the live event.

The auction will be held in the Coonawarra Vignerons Marquee at the Penola Racecourse, with phone bids excepted via online pre-registration.

Register interest online at www.coonawarra.org. 

Not the usual suspects: Six Penfolds Collection wines that deliver value

The new Penfolds Grange release - to which I gave 99 points - is priced at $1000 a bottle, which makes it very much a treat for collectors and the wealthy. 

Fortunately for regular wine lovers there are several wines in the new Penfolds Collection - released on Thursday - that ordinary mortals can afford. 

I tasted the range with chief winemaker Peter Gago and fellow Australian wine writers in Melbourne a few weeks back, so here are some of my best buys, and a couple worth splashing out on: 

Penfolds 2020 Bin 28 Shiraz: A multi-region, multi-vineyard offering utilising fruit from McLaren Vale, Barossa, Padthaway and the Clare that highlights the strength of the Penfolds blending team. Warm and welcoming; like catching up with an old friend. Dark and spicy - a classic winter warmer. $50.

Penfolds 2021 Bin 23 Pinot Noir: This has, for me, traditionally been one of the weakest links in the Penfolds' range but this 100% Tasmanian wine gets it it absolutely spot on. Classic cool-climate aromas and flavours deliver a very vaarietal wine that combines vibrancy and elegance. $50.

Penfolds 2020 RWT Bin 798: Serious complexity, intensity and flavour here. This is dark and very alive with some soft swagger and style to add to its serious structural elements. A day at the races. Top hat and tail please! $200 - and worth a splurge. 

Penfolds 2019 Bin 169 Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon: A delightfully varietal young red sourced from prime Coonawarra vineyards, this has immediate upfront appeal with summer pudding flavours to the fore. A brilliant, focused wine that will certainly cellar well and is worth a wager. $300.

Penfolds 2019 St Henri Shiraz: Darn close to perfect and for my money the best-value wine in the range. As usual, very much in the groove for those looking for a youthful but serious red wine choice. Glorious forward fruit flavours with oak playing a minor support role. Charming and approachable. $135. 

Penfolds 2020 Bin 150 Marananga Shiraz: Classic Barossa that shines in its youth. Warm and inviting and very plush on the palate. Plummy and spicy with Asian nuances. Complexity and minerality add to an attractive package. Pair with Chinese roast duck. $100.