The Grange verdict: worth $1000?

When Penfolds unveils its highly-anticipated 2025 range on August 7, elite wine enthusiasts worldwide will begin to question whether its most famous offering, the much-sought-after 2021 Grange, is worth the cost.

A red wine sourced from multiple regions and vineyards in South Australia is among the most sought-after wines globally, with the 2021 vintage carrying a cost of $1000.

So, is it worth the high cost? The response is uncertain, but it relies on how much patience you have.

If you’re comfortable keeping it for a few decades and then selling it, the investment could yield significant returns. The first Penfolds Grange vintage was released in 1951 and has been known to sell for over $150,000 at auction. A complete collection of Penfolds Bin Grange spanning from the 1951 to 2018 vintages sold for a record $430,000 at the Penfolds Rewards of Patience Auction organized by Langton’s in 2022.

We don’t need to carefully craft the success of Grange; it simply occurs naturally,” says Penfolds’ head winemaker, Peter Gago. “I conducted a tasting in Napa, California, for someone from one of the top two or three [wine] magazines, and a tear was shed for the 2021 Grange. In terms of non-verbal feedback, you don’t get much more powerful than that.

If you’re in the mood for something light-hearted or have extra funds, you could naturally just enjoy it. The newly released 2021 Grange is an impressive wine, offering the fragrant charm of a foggy autumn morning. It blends black fruits from vineyards in the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, and Clare Valley, ending with a crisp and lively finish, featuring tannins that are as delicate as crochet.

The 2021 Grange, a newly released wine, is an impressive offering, capturing the fragrant essence of a foggy autumn morning.

I admire it, but I can’t purchase it. Fortunately, there are more budget-friendly choices available for aspiring collectors.

The 2025 Penfolds range features a selection of 24 wines from Australia, the United States, France, and China. Although it’s not particularly inexpensive, the2022 St Henri Shiraz, at $135, is a smart purchase. The wine enjoys a dedicated fan base, especially in America and France.

The 2022 St Henri – wow, what a wine,” Gago remarks. “St Henri is a wine that hasn’t gained recognition through competition results because it’s never been submitted. It’s the opposite of a competition wine. It’s not inexpensive, but it’s not prohibitively expensive either. From a collector’s point of view, St Henri is hard to beat, but not every year, so select the vintages carefully.

Another useful suggestion is the2023 Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Sauvignon ShirazFor $120. The wine, produced from grapes sourced from South Australia’s McLaren Vale, Padthaway, and Barossa Valley areas, was initially crafted in 1960 by the famous Max Schubert and was frequently called “baby Grange” as parts of the wine are aged in barrels that previously held the previous Grange release.

There has never truly been a worse vintage of the 389, it’s just that some are more outstanding than others,” Gago states. “Once again, select the best vintages of the 389. Even now, you can find the 1971, 1976, 1986, and ’90 at auctions and certain wine shops. The 1990 Bin 389 is achieving remarkable prices in the secondary market. Will this occur for the 2023?

Time will tell.

The thrill of wine collecting lies in its allure – it attracts billionaires, parents, and young individuals who often learn on their own, much like I did. When you can purchase more than one bottle, you embark on an adventure.

Big isn’t always better

As stated by Ian Desmond, the fine wine editor at Langton’s, lighter, cool-climate wines are gaining more influence in the investment and collection market.

Among these cool-climate wines were pinot noir from Tasmania and chardonnay from the Macedon Ranges, highlighting an increasing preference at the premium level for lighter styles that offer refinement and energy.

This is partially because of an increasing fascination with more refined, lively wines and a readiness to explore different styles, types, and areas.

These wines may also offer a more affordable cost than the highly sought-after wines like Penfolds Grange and Rockford Basket Press, according to Desmond. For instance, chardonnay and pinot fromTasmania’s Tolpuddlecost around $100 per bottle, whereasBindi Quartz Chardonnayoriginating from the Macedon Ranges is valued between $100 and $150 per bottle, and theParinga Estate Pinot Noirapproximately $70 per bottle from the Mornington Peninsula.

All of these wines show excellent promise and, with some patience, can serve as a solid start to an investment and aging experience.