Iconic Australian wine Penfolds Grange has unveiled a special collaboration with the French crystal house Saint-Louis. As part of The Penfolds Collection 2016 global release, the 2012 Grange features two distinctive packages: the Penfolds Aevum Imperial Service Ritual, a hand-blown objet d’art vessel created for the 2012 Grange Imperial to facilitate the perfect pour; and the Penfolds Aevum Limited Edition Crystal Decanter, a diamond-cut glass container designed to delicately aerate the wine. With only five available worldwide, the Aevum Imperial (A$185,000) includes a six-liter bottle of the 2012 Grange and an all-expense paid luxury trip to the Magill Estate winery in South Australia, while just 300 Aevum decanters (US$2,000) are available globally and each includes a 750-ml. bottle of the 2012 Grange.
“Aevum” means “everlasting time” in Latin, and the term perfectly represents this partnership between two masters—one dating back to 1844, when Penfolds began pioneering its artisanal winemaking processes, and one that started in 1586, making Saint-Louis the oldest glassmaker in Europe. Comprising fruit from the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale, the 2012 Grange blends 98-percent Shiraz with 2-percent Cabernet Sauvignon and marks the first time Penfolds has commercially released Grange in the rare imperial bottle format, which offers further aging potential for this prestigious wine. To celebrate its launch, Penfolds chief winemaker Peter Gago hosted an exclusive dinner prepared by Betony chef Bryce Shuman at The Academy Mansion in New York City on October 20th.