Travelling to my family home
and re-connecting with my childhood roots has
set my mind to nostalgia.
This month the "Picks" theme is History and
connecting with the blurred footprints in the
sand that will soon be washed away.
Wine history; greatness and magnificent folly is
alive and well in the Sterling August catalogue.
This collection is less about unforgettable
drinking experiences and more about respect for
giants at risk of being forgotten.
Hennessy Paradis
Cognac
70*
1 bottle in presentation case
per bottle 600-800
Every bling lover has to look at this squeaky
new super cognac. Reserved below wholesale
replacement the glam package and cool surfaces
are exciting enough. The contents will please
and impress.
Yago Rioja Santiago Sero 1958
White Blend Rioja
90
1 half bottle
91
1 half bottle
per bottle 20-100
Yago Rioja Santiago Tinto 1962
Red Blend Rioja
92
1 bottle Level down 5.0cm from
cork per bottle 20-100
History! Franco was in full swing and life
was a grind in 1950's Spain. Yes they did
make white Rioja in those days. I believe it is
a dessert style and could even be drinking.
These rare and special gems are perfect birth
year tributes and a great addition to your wine
Museum.
AGV Aspley Gorge Vineyard Cuvee I 2001
Pinot Noir Northern Tasmania
93
2 bottles
94
2 bottles
95
2 bottles
96
2 bottles
per bottle 35-45
AGV Aspley Gorge Vineyard Cuvee II 2001
Pinot Noir Northern Tasmania
97
2 bottles
98
2 bottles
99
2 bottles
100
2 bottles
101
3 bottles
per bottle 35-45
Pinot Noir and the spell cast by the enchanted
wines of Burgundy always bring zeal and
suffering to the max. This obscure wine is
another essay in blood sweat and tears. Lovers
of Pinot should look at this wine and the
fabulous challenge of comparing Cuvee I and
Cuvee II!
Brokenwood Graveyard Vineyard 1991
Shiraz Hunter Valley
218
1 bottle
per bottle 90-110
This is an immaculate time capsule. A twenty
year old that looks like it just left the
cellar. This Super premium shiraz that shows off
the side of the country that was famous for
Hermitage /Shiraz before Penfolds Grange was
even a plan in Max's head. A fitting tribute to
Maurice O'Shea and gentlemen like Brokenwood's
Master Riggs who keep up the great Hunter Valley
traditions. Read the book "Wine Hunter" by
Campbell Mattinson.
Cape Mentelle 1983
Cabernet Sauvignon Margaret River
229
1 bottle Very high shoulder
230
1 bottle Very high shoulder
231
1 bottle Very high shoulder
232
1 bottle Very high shoulder
233
1 bottle Very high shoulder
234
1 bottle Very high shoulder
235
1 bottle Into neck
per bottle 60-90
Jimmy Watson Trophies two years in a row.
Vintage 1983 / 1984 Cape Mentelle went a long
way to cementing Margaret River to the serious
wine map. Maverick David Hohnen blazed a trail
that led to Cape Mentelle, today being high
amongst the jewels in the MHLV crown.
These bottles might not be at their best; But
they cast a shadow that has icons like Cloudy
Bay were later to depend on.
Cullen 1982
Cabernet Sauvignon Margaret River
357
1 bottle High shoulder &
capsule dam per bottle 100-300
So Rare! So special; Margaret River was on
the cusp of greatness and legends like Di and
Kevin Cullen were just about to discover their
magic Cabernet merlot formula that was, in later
years, to be enshrined as the iconic Dianna
Madeline. This bottle is a true Museum
piece. Don't be surprised if you never see
another.
Dalwhinnie Eagle Series 1997
Shiraz Pyrenees
445
1 bottle from an unopened wooden case
446
1 bottle from an unopened wooden case
447
1 bottle from an unopened wooden case
448
1 bottle from an unopened wooden case
per bottle 125-135
David Jones was out in the Victorian boonies
crafting stunning cool climate super wines when
the "critter" block busters were ruling the Oz
wine world. This is the best wine from
Dalwhinnie from a sensational Victorian vintage.
Buy a bottle and put it up against a similar
vintage Grange. Make it a three cornered
contest; make the study meaningful by
including a super Hermitage/ Cote Rotie like the
Guigal Cotes d Ampuis. Publish your findings on
the Sterling website!!
Hardys Tintara Vineyards Centenary 1973
Shiraz McLaren Vale
637
1 bottle Very high shoulder &
label damage per bottle 30-60
Where do you get it!! One Hundred years of
Tintara; Ancient shiraz from the original
benchmark McLaren Vale vineyard. This is a
tribute wine made by a very proud family to
celebrate a huge achievement. Museum or
drink? A very special wine relic for the
right occasion and connoisseurs who would
appreciate the significance.
Henschke Mount Edelstone 1974
Shiraz Eden Valley
666
1 bottle Very high shoulder
per bottle 100-400
The year that Henschke Hill of Grace was wiped
out by unseasonal wet and heat around harvest
time. Spongy rot destroyed most of the premium
fruit destined for the 1974 vintage. This
survivor might well have what was salvaged from
the Hill of Grace Vineyard blended in. Do the
research; this was the horror vintage in the
Barossa to match 1956 in Bordeaux.
Houghton Bin 928 Special Reserve Late
Picked 1980
Verdelho Swan Valley
681
1 bottle Stelvin closure
per bottle 25-35
Lick the lips; Special wine from 1980? UNDER A
SCREW CAP!!!!!! This is too good to be
true. This premium late harvested Swan Verdelho
that should be totally clean and fresh. In
my eyes this is a better 30th Birthday wine than
Grange! Big call maybe. Maybe is hasn't
travelled well?.. Don't be surprised if the few
in the know drive the price of this one up to
$50+
Lakes Folly 1970
Cabernet Hermitage Hunter Valley
842
1 bottle Mid shoulder, label
damage & capsule damage
per bottle 30-60
Magnificent Folly! Dr Max Lake did more for the
Oz wine industry than twenty lesser men put
together. Between being a successful surgeon and
single handedly drinking (almost) every bottle
of Penfolds super rare 1953 Grange CABERNET
(only cabernet ever made as a Max Schubert
Grange) Dr Lake ran his wine company "Folly" and
set new standards in wine production and
consumption! This bottle is a museum piece.
Very early and very rare.
Leeuwin Estate Art Series 1983
Chardonnay Margaret River
883
1 bottle Level down 3.5cm from
cork per bottle 50-150
Unbelievable!! This bottle looks bright and
perfect. A bit of ullage / evap, but looking
like it just left the cellar. Worshippers
of the Leeuwin / Cartwright chardonnay legend
swear by the good bottles from the 1980?s.
Before tricky "high intervention" wine making
became the norm, these sweet little babies were
left alone to show their natural graces.
We have only seen a hand full of 1980's pristine
Leeuwin chards through the sterling catalogues
in the past 10 years. It is worth up to
$200; Don't ask me to find you another one
(wonder how Many Mister Horgan has in the safe?)
Leeuwin Estate Hermitage 1980
Shiraz Margaret River
886
1 bottle High shoulder
per bottle 50-80
Leeuwin Estate Reserve 1981
Cabernet Sauvignon Margaret River
887
1 bottle
888
1 bottle
889
1 bottle
per bottle 25-40
These early wines that pre-date the art series.
Yes Dennis as a Younger man did flirt with
Shiraz only to leave it alone for almost twenty
years. Classic study in MR history and
evolution. Look out for the 1979 Cabernet, rare
special and valuable. Very collectable
Lindemans St George Classic Release 1980
Cabernet Sauvignon Coonawarra
934
1 bottle Jimmy Watson trophy
winner per bottle 50-60
The Jimmy Watson Legend has been abused and
crashed of late; Sad. There was a time when The
Jimmy was the ultimate wine gong; The Holy
Grail; This Classic Release is another
snapshot of Oz wine history. Great Coonawarra
Cabernet made the old fashioned way, without
dominant wood and high alcohol. Built to last;.
Share it with a 1980 baby as an act of reverent
mentoring.
Mount Mary 1997
Chardonnay Yarra Valley
1101 1
bottle
per bottle 40-50
Dr Middleton of Mount Mary was a giant of the
industry who is best remembered for the Cabernet
Quintet. Often put up as the best Oz spin at
Bordeaux. The good Dr was a fussy, hard man who
created magnificent Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
Another perfect bright bottle from a Victorian
vintage to remember; If you are serious about
buying the 1997 Dawhinnie Eagle and doing the
three way taste off, it would be fitting to use
the good Dr's glorious Chardonnay as the
prelude.
Peel Estate 1981
Zinfandel Perth Metropolitan
1174 1
bottle Mid high shoulder
per bottle 15-45
"If I have seen further it was only by standing
on the shoulders of Giants" Will Nairn has a
special place in the annuals of wine pioneering.
Against the wind, out of step with fashion, this
Giant with a heart of gold just got out there
and "did it" before Nike and the waffle sole
were even concepts. Zinfandel is a magnificent
obsession that Will has driven (been driven
by??) for over three decades. This is the oldest
bottle of Peel wine Sterling has catalogued.
Likely well over the hill, use it as a
centrepiece for a Zinfandel tasting that must
include Will?s ridiculously alcoholic 2000 which
weighs in at over 18%!!
Penfolds Bin 389 1998
Cabernet Shiraz South Australia
1288 1
bottle
1289 1
bottle
1290 1
bottle
1291 1
bottle
1292 1
bottle
1293 1
bottle
1294 1
bottle
1295 1
bottle
1296 1
bottle Cellar damaged label
1297 1
bottle
1298 1
bottle
1299 1
bottle
1300 1
bottle from an unopened case
1301 1
bottle from an unopened case
1302 1
bottle from an unopened case
1303 1
bottle from an unopened case
1304 1
bottle from an unopened case
1305 1
bottle from an unopened case
1306 1
bottle from an unopened case
1307 1
bottle from an unopened case
1308 1
bottle from an unopened case
1309 1
bottle from an unopened case
1310 1
bottle from an unopened case
1311 1
bottle Slight label damage
1312 1
bottle Slight label damage
1313 1
bottle Slight label damage
1314 1
bottle
1315 1
bottle
1316 1
bottle
1317 1
bottle
1318 1
bottle
1319 1
bottle
1320 1
bottle
1321 1
bottle
1322 1
bottle
1323 1
bottle
1324 1
bottle
1325 1
bottle from an unopened case
1326 1
bottle from an unopened case
1327 1
bottle from an unopened case
1328 1
bottle from an unopened case
1329 1
bottle from an unopened case
1330 1
bottle from an unopened case
1331 1
bottle from an unopened case
1332 1
bottle from an unopened case
1333 1
bottle from an unopened case
1334 1
bottle from an unopened case
1335 1
bottle from an unopened case
1336 1
bottle from an unopened case
1337 1
bottle from an unopened case
1338 1
bottle from an unopened case
1339 1
bottle from an unopened case
1340 1
bottle from an unopened case
per bottle 60-85
Writing history? This classic is big here
today, gone tomorrow. Buy it, store it and enjoy
it with the Grandkids.
Penfolds Clare Estate 1989
Red Blend Clare Valley
1384 1
bottle
1385 1
bottle
Into neck
per bottle 15-20
Vision Splendid, Paradise lost! Max
Schudert wanted Penfolds Grange to be a Cabernet
Bordeaux blend but he couldn't source enough
quality fruit. So he turned to the vines that
supported the Oz port market and made a Shiraz /
hermitage instead. When Max was old and
starting to lose his health his dream was to
become a reality. Clare Estate was to be the
great, singe appellation, Bordeaux blend be
always wanted to create. Sad this project was
canned after the 1996 vintage.
Penfolds Minchinbury Sparkling Burgundy
NV
Red Blend South Australia
1496 2
bottles
1980's bottling
per bottle 20-60
Oz wine ancient history. Penfolds Minchinbury
red bubbles is a brand with roots that go back
to the 1930's. Sterling is a wonderful
meeting place and we are privileged to receive
treasures from collectors looking to leave their
story in good hands. A few years ago, a
charming spritely granny popped into the office
to give me a bottle of wine she had saved from
her wedding during the darkest days of WW2.
In 1942 when her soldier boy was home on leave
she married and celebrated with the only wine
they could find. Half bottles of Penfolds
pre-war Minchinbury! It was so special she
saved a bottle and gave it to me 60 years later
!
Penfolds St Henri 1971
Shiraz South Australia
1510 1
bottle Very high shoulder &
label damage
1511 1
bottle Very high shoulder &
label damage
1512 1
bottle Very high shoulder &
severe label damage
1513 1
bottle High shoulder & label
damage per bottle 600-800
History? Of course this is the classic St Henri
alternative to the iconic 1971 Penfolds Grange.
Investing in History? A punter could buy
these and try their luck at the Penfolds
re-corking clinic which will be in town very
soon.
Pierro 1979
Cabernet Sauvignon Margaret River
1596 1
bottle Very high shoulder
1597 1
bottle Very high shoulder
per bottle 30-50
Goddess of Wine immortalised in her prime.
This fabulous blast from the past has a photo
label featuring a demin clad diva tending the
vines. Pierro went on from this early
obscurity to being the Chardonnay of choice for
PM Keating and now a true benchmark icon of MR
Redman The REDMAN Centenary blend 2002
Cabernet Shiraz Coonawarra
1628* 1 bottle
from an unopened case
1629* 1 bottle
from an unopened case
1630* 1 bottle
from an unopened case
1631* 1 bottle
from an unopened case
1632* 1 bottle
from an unopened case
1633* 1 bottle
from an unopened case
1634* 1 bottle
from an unopened case
1635* 1 bottle
from an unopened case
per bottle 60-80
Celebrate with those being celebrated.
Thirty to forty years ago, the mighty Redman
brand was the tower that dominated the Oz wine
landscape. This is best wine Gen3 could make to
celebrate Bill and Owen. A rare tribute
cut to the form of the greatest Cabernet Shiraz
like Penfolds Bin 60a.
St Huberts Barrel Select Single Bottle
Club 1991
Cabernet Merlot Yarra Valley
1762 3
bottles
per bottle 20-30
St Huberts Barrel Select Single Bottle
Club 1991
Pinot Noir Yarra Valley
1763 2
bottles
per bottle 15-25
Perfect examples of wines made to a different
standard. Old world Yarra productions from a
house that stood the test of time
Talijancich 1997
Verdelho Swan Valley
1780 1
bottle
per bottle 15-25
Looks like the 1997 vintage is a showcase in
this catalogue. Swan Verdelho at its best?
Wonderful wine that takes age like a duck to
water.
Warrenmang Bazzani Torchio Aged
Pressings NV
Shiraz Cabernet Pyrenees
1909 1
bottle from an unopened case
1910 1
bottle from an unopened case
1911 1
bottle from an unopened case
1912 1
bottle from an unopened case
1913 1
bottle from an unopened case
1914 1
bottle from an unopened case
1915 1
bottle from an unopened case
1916 1
bottle from an unopened case
1917 1
bottle from an unopened case
1918 1
bottle from an unopened case
1919 1
bottle from an unopened case
1920 1
bottle from an unopened case
per bottle 40-80
Weird and wonderful. The Black Puma producer has
squeezed the essence from many vintages and
blended this vin-bomb that will defy most
descriptors. Not cheap, maybe misguided, Food
wine? Or a meal in its self? You must have
a bottle and an opinion. WARNING is you are
histamine sensitive or fear bungie jumps stay
away.
Wynns Coonawarra Estate Hermitage 1993
Shiraz Coonawarra
2069 3
bottles from an unopened case
2070 3
bottles from an unopened case
2071 3
bottles from an unopened case
per bottle 15-25
Landmark cheap cellar must have. Buy boxes
of the better vintages and just sit on them for
a few years. 1993 was never remembered as a
great year but I guarantee this wine will
impress. Let me know
G. Tribaut Cuvee de Reserve NV
Brut Cuvee
2111 1
bottle 1990's bottling
per bottle 50-150
G. Tribaut Premier Cru NV
Demi Sec
2112 1
bottle 1990's bottling
per bottle 50-200
Champagne is a dangerous obsession. Dangerous
and expensive. This rare gem is likely not
imported to OZ. It was a holiday purchase from a
1998 grand tour. Whats it worth? Who
knows. I looks to be in good shape. Like all old
champagne and race horses the disappointments
are often remembered. The triumphs are fitting
rewards for those will to take risks.
Chateau Rabaud-Promis 1955
1er Cru Classe Sauterne
2140 1
bottle High shoulder & severe
label dam per bottle 600-800
Chateau Rabaud-Promis 1957
1er Cru Classe Sauterne
2141 1
bottle High shoulder & severe
label dam per bottle 600-800
Crazy, Weird, Old rare and amazing. Again whats
it worth? Buy another bottle and tell me. A
definite winner in your Museum display
Chateau D'Angludet 1982
Cru Bourgeois Exceptional Margaux
2329 1
bottle Very high shoulder
2330 1
bottle Very high shoulder
2331 1
bottle Very high shoulder
2332 1
bottle
2333 1
bottle
2334 1
bottle
2335 1
bottle
2336 1
bottle
per bottle 60-75
Chateau Leoville Las Cases 1982
2me Cru Classe Saint Julien RP95+
2450 1
bottle Label damage
per bottle 500-600
Chateau Lynch Bages 1982
5me Cru Classe Pauillac
2453 1
bottle
per bottle 200-300
Chateau Potensac 1982
Cru Bourgeois Medoc
2493 1
bottle Very high shoulder
per bottle 60-80
History is always repeating. The classic 1982
vintage was a class of Legends. Petrus, la Pin
and Mouton are "galacticas" that wine dreams are
made of. The 1982 Vintage En primeurs made big
bucks. No Mega bucks. The last release of a
stella vintage to break the bank. Will history
repeat with the 2009 vintage in Bordeaux?
Before you re-mortgage the house to buy a few
bots of 2009 Chateau Lafite Rothschild; Have a
historical re-look at 1982.
There are some serviceable and reasonable 1982?s
here that could well tell a story compelling
enough to launch your ship into the uncertain
seas of wine investment
Lynton
August 2010
