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Important Information
GST.Where the vendor is registered, a Goods& Services Tax (GST) of 10% will be included in the hammerfall of items sold. All other lots do not include GST in the hammerfall. For all items, GST will be included in the Buyers Premium. Items for which GST applies to the hammerfall will be identified in the catalogue with the symbol*
Ex-cellar
There will be a one week delay in wines noted as "Ex-cellar" being available for dispatch or collection. Wines that are held by wine storage companies or controlled by legal representatives can take up to two weeks from the date of the auction close to be available for collection and dispatch. Many Sterling Wine Auction vendors use professional wine storage and inventory management systems which involve delays. Only the sold wine travels from the storage location to the Sterling cellar. On occasion wines catalogued are subject to legal control and are released when the sales records are processed for release. Any wine catalogued for Sterling Wine Auction as "Ex-cellar" is guaranteed to be delivered as described in the catalogue.
Ullage or wine level
Is the term used to describe the fill level of wine in a bottle and a way of assessing the condition of a wine. The loss of wine from a bottle because of leakage or evaporation is a natural occurrence in wine and occurs over time.
If no fill level is indicated, it means that the bottle is base of neck or better. Sterling Wine Auctions does not generally differentiate between levels that are in the neck as that difference can be due to variations in fills at the time of bottling. We consider anything that is in the neck to be perfect fill level for any bottle of any age.
Bordeaux style bottle
The following definitions apply to Bordeaux style bottles.
| Very High Shoulder | A good level in any wine 20 years or older. |
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| High Shoulder | A normal level for any wine 25 years or older. The Penfolds Red Wine Clinics and the Henschke Quality Assurance Program classifies as being in good condition a high percentage of wine with this level of ullage. | |
| Mid-High Shoulder | Indicates slight natural reduction through easing of the cork and evaporation through cork and capsule. Buyers should inspect the wine or obtain a condition report in order to assess the risk of further ullage. | |
| Mid-Shoulder | Indicates some weakening of the cork and therefore some risk. This is not unusual in wines over 50 years old and estimates will take this into account. Bottles of wine from more important, older vintages can be attractive as curios in a collector's cellar. If you are not in this market, it is better to avoid these wines. | |
| Low-Mid Shoulder | Indicates high risk and will attract low estimates. | |
| Low Shoulder | Indicates a much higher risk. |
Burgundy-style bottle & Riesling-style bottle
The definitions below apply to Burgundy, Rhone, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling and wines in similar bottles. Burgundy and Riesling-style bottles cannot be measured in the same manner as Bordeaux-style bottles because of the slope of the bottle's shoulder. As a result, fill levels for Burgundy and Riesling bottles are measured in centimetres by looking at the space betweenthe cork and the wine.
| 2cm or less | Considered excellent fill for any age and a fill level does not need to be mentioned. |
| 3cm | Is a perfectly normal fill for wines aged 15 years or older. It is an excellent level for wines aged 25 years or older. |
| 4cm | Considered normal fill for wines aged 20 years or older and excellent for wine aged 35 years or older. However, it would be cause for concern in wines aged 15 years or younger. |
| 5cm | Not uncommon in older wines of 30 years or older. Some risk is involved at this level. |
| 6cm | Poor fill level for any wine, unless the wine is extremely rare. |
For example an ullage of 5-7cm in a 40-year-old Burgundy could be considered normal or, indeed, good for age. A nullage of 3-4 cm could be excellent for age.
Bottle descriptions
| Half Bottle | Equal to half a 'regular' bottle | 375 ml |
| Bottle | A 'regular' bottle | 750 ml |
| Magnum | equal to 2 bottles | 1,500 ml |
| Marie-Jeanne (Bordeaux) | equal to 3 bottles | 2,250 ml |
| Tregnum (Bordeaux) | equal to 3 bottles | 2,250 ml |
| Double Magnum | equal to 4 bottles | 3,000 ml |
| Jeroboam (Sparkling/Burgundy) | equal to 4 bottles | 3,000 ml |
| Jeroboam (Bordeaux) | equal to 6 bottles | 4,500 ml |
| Rehoboam (Sparkling/Burgundy) | equal to 6 bottles | 4,500 ml |
| Imperial (Bordeaux) | equal to 8 bottles | 6,000 ml |
| Methuselah (Sparkling/Burgundy) | equal to 8 bottles | 6,000 ml |
| Salmanazar (Sparkling/Burgundy) | equal to 12 bottles | 9,000 ml |
| Balthazar (Sparkling/Burgundy) | equal to 16 bottles | 12,000 ml |
| Double Imperial (Bordeaux) | equal to 16 bottles | 12,000 ml |
| Nebuchadnezzar (Sparkling/Burgundy) | equal to 20 bottles | 16,000 ml |
Cellar-damaged label
Cellar damaged label is used in the catalogue to define labels soiled by dust and dirt, or marked byracking wires, humidity or water.
The condition of a wine's label is taken into consideration in determining value.
Sterling Wine Auctions makes every effort to describe in detail the conditions of labels.
Damaged capsule
The capsule in place is torn or damaged in some way.
Henschke Quality Assurance Program
This is an in-house re-corking program for old bottles of Henschke red wines still owned by C. A.Henschke Co.
The program is similar in concept to the Penfolds re-corking program.
Jimmy Watson Trophy
The wine was awarded the Jimmy Watson Trophy at the Melbourne Wine Show.
Missing capsule
There is no capsule in place.
Wines without an original capsule will generally not be sold.
Penfolds Red Wine Clinic
Penfolds red wines that are 15 years and older may be assessed, topped up, re-corked and re-capsuled at bi-annual wine clinics held in state capitals.
Bottles in acceptable condition are given back labels signed by a Penfolds winemaker certifying that the wine has been topped up and re-corked under proper supervision.
Sterling Wine Auctions will not sell any wine that has failed to meet Clinic standards.
Provenance & storage conditions
The provenance of a wine sets out the history of the bottle and a description of the condition of the wine.
Sterling Wine Auctions makes every effort to determine the provenance of each wine entered into our auctions.
If you require more information about a particular lot, please contact us.
It is usually the case that storing wine in a warmer climate increases the risk of damage.
Signed by winemaker
This indicates the label has been signed by the winemaker - for example Max Schubert (Penfolds Grange).
Stelvin capsule
A Stelvin capsule is a screw cap alternative closure to cork.
A screw cap is an old closure that is enjoying a comeback.
Its special feature is a compressible disc inside the top of the capsule that provides an air tight seal when the capsule is 'rolled-on' during the bottling process.
Wax capsule
The original capsule is wax, not metal or plastic.
Wax capsules are quite common on larger format bottles.
Bidding per bottle
Please note all lots are being offered on a Per Bottle Basis.
Some boxed sets are offered as a single item.
On the rare occasion this occurs the price estimate reflects this fact.
Price Estimates
Every catalogued lot carries a price estimate range.
This range aims to accurately "estimate" the value of a lot.
The estimate does not reflect the reserve price.
Many estimated lots are unreserved.
Absent bidding
All bids for this auction must be submitted in writing, on the absent bidding form provided with all details completed.
Written bids must be received in the Sterling office by 3:00pm on the day of the auction.
Your silent bid should reflect how high you are prepared to bid.
We act on your behalf to buy as cheaply for you as possible.
If you bid silent $20 on a lot and the last silent bid is $10 you will secure the lot at the next bid which would be $11.
Successful silent bidders will be notified by fax on the first Friday after the auction.
Buyers Premium
buyers premiumof 15% (GST Incl) applies to all lots sold in this sale.
Collection
Successful bidders can collect stock from 12.00 noon on the Monday after an auction. If the invoice notes wines as "Ex-cellar", they wil be available for collection one week later. The
Monday week, following the Wednesday Auction. This delay in collection is caused by arranging transport from professional cellaring service to the Sterling cellar in Subiaco. All stock must be collected/delivered and paid for by the second Friday after an auction or a 2% levy will apply.
Conditions of Sale
The Sterling Conditions of Sale are available on this website, please take the time to familiarise yourself with them before entering the auction.
Champagne Warning
Vintage Champagne Beware ! The agony and the ecstasy.
All old champagne in unreliable, no matter how well it has been cellared.
Gas can leak reducing or removing the bubbles.
Old champagne develops some flavour characters quite different from the newly released product.
Buying any champagne from auction is a risk, but the rewards can be remarkable.
To avoid disappointment keep the bidding within safe limits.
You may throw it away or it may be the best wine of your life.