Welcome to the Weekly Wine Quiz, and hopefully today you brought your wallets because we’re testing to see if you’re in the know on the world’s priciest current-release wine.
Standard disclaimer: based on feedback from ever-so-vocal-and-intelligent peeps like you, I supply the quiz question each week, but do *not* supply the quiz answer directly in the post – YOU supply your best guess for the answer in the comments, and then tune back in later today in the comments section for the official answer. Incidentally, I’m thinking about changing that and putting this into more of a poll/quiz format, where once you click on your choice you get to see the correct answer instantly (would love your thoughts on that).
Showing Everybody The Money: The most expensive bottle price for a current-release wine hails from what wine region?
- A. Barossa
- B. Tokaji
- C. Napa Valley
- D. Burgundy
Cheers – and good luck!
B?
Tokaji ?
Thanks, folks – finally, the courageous step up today!! :)
A. Barossa, the 2004 Penfolds Kalimna Block 42 Cabernet Sauvignon, $168K per bottle.
Joe, btw did you get a sample of it? :)
Richard – not rolling that high, my man! :)
A, that crazy $168K bottle, correctomundo?
Thanks, Jim – to be revealed later. Incidentally, I'm considering changing the format to maybe a poll-style, where the answer is displayed after you take your guess. Thoughts?
I think you would see participation rise, which is the point, after all. Instant gratification, in most things (except where a Pointer Sisters slow hand is preferred) is the way to go.
Jim – Thanks! And those types of musical references are always welcome! :)
Aaaaaaaand, here is your **official* Wine Quiz Answer:
A. Barossa
Penfolds; 2004 Kalimna Block 42 Cabernet Sauvignon, made from what are believed to be the oldest continually-producing Cabernet Sauvignon vines on the planet, currently sells for $168,000 USD per bottle. Only 12 bottles were produced, and each comes with custom artwork and opening & pouring services by one of Penfolds' winemakers. Those other regions of course also make some expensive juice, but they haven't yet reached the bottle price of Penfolds' interesting combination of old vines and excellent marketing :).
Cheers!
Joe, I would question that – in case of Kalimna Cab, you can a bottle of exact same wine for $600. The $168K price is for the Ampulae, which is hand made wine vessel by the efforts of four (may be more) craftsmen.
I think the answer would still be Barossa, as Seppeltsfield 100 years old port used to be priced at $2.5K at release, but with the release prices on Petrus and Screaming Eagle, I'm not sure anymore..
But of course this is your quiz, so I just wanted to insert my $.02 : )
talkavino – Well, for the quiz purposes it’s implied that the Kalimna is the Ampulae version, but if I had the equivalent of a Marvel Comics “No Prize” it would be on its way to you for pointing that out! :)
: )
Incidently, has anyone actually confessed to buying one of these tributes to crassness?
Ross – I've not seen any follow up articles on that, so not sure how many of the dozen have flown off the shelves. :)
i wrote a piece about it a while back and urged some loyal Aspenites to splurge (and to mention my name for the commission!)
Drew – so if you get to taste it, let us know, okay? ;-)
Yep, wine as a trophy, as a tribute to the skill of the hunter leaves me completely cold. I would like to try a DRC because it's a great wine that has been pushed up in price by these type of people but at its heart it is still a wine that is made to drink.
This thing by Penfolds is never made to drink, they could have coloured water in there for all the difference it would make. I find it abhorrent.
Ross – Well, having yet to try it (and with little hope of that ever happening) I should refrain from passing a firm judgment, but I will say that it certainly seems to me that the Kalimna fruit (if experience with similar sites is any indication) would make material for blending in a less expensive wine meant for long aging and eventual drinking, rather than for a showpiece.