• 52 – 750ml Penfolds Grange (2 each: 1982 & 1986; 3 each: 1990 - 1993; 6 each: 1995 - 2000)
• 12 – 750ml Henschke Hill of Grace Shiraz (1 each: 1987 - 1998)
• 12 – 750ml Torbreck Run Rig Shiraz (3 each: 1999, 2001, 2002 & 2003)
• 6 – 750ml Clarendon Hills Astralis Shiraz (2 each: 1999, 2001 & 2003)
• 6 – 750ml 1998 Penfolds Yattarna Chardonnay
• 6 – 750ml 2002 Glaetzer Amon Ra Barossa Valley Shiraz
• 6 – 750ml 2002 Shirvington Shiraz

Here it is, the moment we’ve all been waiting for, the largest collection of fine wine in the auction – the Big Lot!

Never have so many of the best examples of these wines been assembled in a single lot; 100 bottles of pristine Australian perfection! These sultans of Shiraz deliver power and fruit with unmatched authority – forget the shrimp, throw out the barbie – this is the thunder from down under.

The backbone of this lot is a 52 bottle 12-year vertical of Penfolds Grange, perhaps Australia’s most famous wine. Many of these wines have garnered near perfect scores from The Wine Advocate and each is truly profound. Here is an opportunity to assemble an amazing vertical from one of the world’s great wine estates. Highlights of this collection include the 1986; described by Robert Parker, Jr. as a virtually perfect “future legend” while the classic 1998 Grange is merely the recipient of the highest rating ever given to a Shiraz by Wine Spectator.

New kid on the block, at least when compared to the established Grange, is Torbreck’s Run Rig, presented in a full case four-year vertical (no 2000 vintage was produced). Made by the gregarious David Powell, this Shiraz has a received a string of amazing 98, 99, 97, 99, 99, 99 and 99-point reviews from The Wine Advocate. Run Rig represents the essence of old vine Barossa fruit and these phenomenal wines are delicious young, but can age interminably. Enjoy!

At the heart of this lot is a rare 12-year vertical of Henschke’s legendary Hill of Grace Shiraz. This wine is one of Australia’s original icons and remains one of its most collectible. First created by Cyril Alfred Henschke in 1958, it has a legacy as lengthy and famed as Penfolds Grange. These wines are compelling examples of old vine Australian Shiraz, made in a classic old world style and – simply put – outstanding.

Additional examples of Shiraz perfection abound – six bottles each of Clarendon Hills Astralis, Glaetzer’s Amon Ra and Shirvington. This introduction to Australia’s brightest stars features two vintages where Astralis brought home remarkable 99-point ratings from Robert Parker, Jr. Not to be outdone is the remarkable 2002 Shirvington, an opulent deep purple wine that also received a coveted 99-point review, or Glaetzer’s Amon Ra from the same year. A wine of power and intensity, this Shiraz shows the heights that Barossa Valley fruit from a landmark vintage can achieve.

The feather in the cap of this collection may be the six bottles of Penfolds’ 1998 Yattarna Chardonnay. One of Australia’s greatest white wines, its satin texture and classic proportion elegantly frame its luscious flavors of nectarine and clove.

These tête de cuvées are known as “icons” in Australia, a reference to their heavenly level of quality. Today, these icons can be yours, a taste of heaven on earth.

Donor: Larry R. Andrews & Cheryl Pifer and Laura & Jim Dixon