PENFOLDS GRANGE HERMITAGE 1968 - VINTAGE AUSTRALIAN WINE

OVERVIEW:
A SIGNIFICANT BOTTLE OF PENFOLDS GRANGE HERMITAGE FROM THE 1968 VINTAGE, ONE OF AUSTRALIA'S MOST CELEBRATED AND COLLECTIBLE WINES. THIS LOT REPRESENTS A PIECE OF AUSTRALIAN WINE HISTORY FROM THE EARLY YEARS OF GRANGE PRODUCTION, BOTTLED BY PENFOLDS WINES PTY LTD IN ADELAIDE. THE BOTTLE CARRIES ADDITIONAL AUTHENTICATION IN THE FORM OF A WINE CLINICS LABEL DATED 2000/2001, BEARING THE HANDWRITTEN SIGNATURE OF JOHN DUVAL, CHIEF WINEMAKER AT PENFOLDS, AND AUTHENTICATED BY CHRISTIE'S.

SPECIFICATIONS:
- VINTAGE: 1968
- BOTTLED: 1968
- PRODUCER: PENFOLDS WINES PTY LTD, ADELAIDE
- BOTTLE FORMAT: 1 PINT 6 FL OZ (APPROXIMATELY 750ML)
- BOTTLE CONDITION: GLASS INTACT, NO CRACKS OR CHIPS OBSERVED
- CAPSULE: ORIGINAL BURGUNDY/MAROON WAX SEAL, INTACT BUT SHOWING AGE-RELATED WEAR
- LABEL: ORIGINAL PRINTED LABEL WITH EXTENSIVE AGE-RELATED DETERIORATION

CONDITION ASSESSMENT:
MULTIPLE SMALL TEARS AND PAPER LOSSES ARE VISIBLE AROUND THE LABEL EDGES AND SURFACE. THE WAX CAPSULE REMAINS INTACT BUT SHOWS SURFACE WEAR. THE WINE FILL LEVEL APPEARS LOW, SUGGESTING EITHER NATURAL EVAPORATION OR POTENTIAL CORK COMPROMISE OVER THE DECADES. THE ORIGINAL FOIL WRAP IS PRESENT BUT DETERIORATED. DESPITE THE COSMETIC CONDITION OF THE LABEL, THE BOTTLE ITSELF REMAINS STRUCTURALLY SOUND WITH NO VISIBLE GLASS DAMAGE.

PROVENANCE AND AUTHENTICATION:
THIS BOTTLE CARRIES SIGNIFICANT PROVENANCE DOCUMENTATION. THE WINE CLINICS LABEL, DATED 2000/2001, REPRESENTS A PROFESSIONAL ASSESSMENT CONDUCTED APPROXIMATELY 26 YEARS AGO. THE HANDWRITTEN SIGNATURE OF JOHN DUVAL, CHIEF WINEMAKER AT PENFOLDS, AND THE CHRISTIE'S AUTHENTICATION MARK PROVIDE INSTITUTIONAL VERIFICATION OF THE BOTTLE'S AUTHENTICITY AND CONDITION AT THAT TIME. THIS DOCUMENTATION ADDS CONSIDERABLE WEIGHT TO THE LOT'S PROVENANCE AND COLLECTIBILITY.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
PENFOLDS GRANGE HERMITAGE FROM THE 1960S REPRESENTS A CRITICAL PERIOD IN AUSTRALIAN WINE HISTORY. THE 1968 VINTAGE IS PARTICULARLY SOUGHT AFTER BY SERIOUS COLLECTORS OF AUSTRALIAN WINE. THE LOW FILL LEVEL AND AGE OF THE BOTTLE SUGGEST THIS IS A WINE THAT HAS BEEN STORED FOR DECADES, POTENTIALLY SINCE THE EARLY 2000S ASSESSMENT. COLLECTORS SHOULD NOTE THAT THE DRINKABILITY OF THIS BOTTLE CANNOT BE GUARANTEED GIVEN THE FILL LEVEL AND AGE, AND PROFESSIONAL ASSESSMENT BY A QUALIFIED WINE SPECIALIST IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED PRIOR TO ANY CONSUMPTION CONSIDERATION.

NOTE: THIS LOT IS SOLD AS A COLLECTIBLE ARTEFACT AND HISTORICAL WINE BOTTLE. THE CONDITION OF THE WINE ITSELF CANNOT BE VERIFIED WITHOUT OPENING THE BOTTLE. SERIOUS COLLECTORS ARE ADVISED TO SEEK PROFESSIONAL WINE AUTHENTICATION AND CONDITION ASSESSMENT PRIOR TO PURCHASE IF CONSUMPTION IS CONTEMPLATED.

Item Size: Height: 40cm, Width: 30cm, Depth: 30cm, Weight: 2Kg

Condition: Fair

997520+17

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