- Ullage
-
Ullage is the term used to describe the fill level of wine in a bottle and a way
of assessing the condition of a wine. The loss of wine from a bottle because of
leakage or evaporation is a natural occurrence in wine and occurs over time. Langton's
makes every effort to describe accurately the ullage of each bottle entered into
a sale.
-
If no fill level is indicated, it means that the bottle is base of neck or better.
Langton's does not generally differentiate between levels that are in the neck as
that difference can be due to variations in fills at the time of bottling. We consider
anything that is in the neck to be perfect fill level for any bottle of any age.
- Bordeaux-style bottle
-
The following definitions apply to Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon, Penfolds Grange
and wines in similar bottles.
-
- Very high shoulder
-
A good level in any wine 20 years or older.
- Mid-shoulder
-
Indicates some weakening of the cork and therefore some risk. This is not unusual
in wines over 50 years old and estimates will take this into account. Bottles of
wine from more important, older vintages can be attractive as curios in a collector's
cellar. If you are not in this market, it is better to avoid these wines.
- Mid-high shoulder
-
Indicates slight natural reduction through easing of the cork and evaporation through
cork and capsule. Buyers should inspect the wine or obtain a condition report in
order to assess the risk of further ullage.
- Mid-shoulder
-
Indicates some weakening of the cork and therefore some risk. This is not unusual
in wines over 50 years old and estimates will take this into account. Bottles of
wine from more important, older vintages can be attractive as curios in a collector's
cellar. If you are not in this market, it is better to avoid these wines.
- Low-mid shoulder
-
Indicates high risk and will attract low estimates.
- Burgundy-style bottle & Riesling-style bottle
-
The definitions below apply to Burgundy, Rhone, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling
and wines in similar bottles.
-
Burgundy and Riesling-style bottles cannot be measured in the same manner as Bordeaux-style
bottles because of the slope of the bottle's shoulder. As a result, fill levels
for Burgundy and Riesling bottles are measured in centimetres by looking at the
space between the cork and the wine.
-
- 2cm or less is considered excellent fill for any age and a fill
level does not need to be mentioned.
- 3cm or better is a perfectly normal fill for wines aged 15 years
or older. It is an excellent level for wines aged 25 years or older.
- 4cm is considered normal fill for wines aged 20 years or older
and excellent for wine aged 35 years or older. However, it would be cause for concern
in wines aged 15 years or younger.
- 5cm is not uncommon in older wines of 30 years or older. Some
risk is involved at this level.
- 6cm or more is a poor fill level for any wine, unless the wine
is extremely rare.
-
For example an ullage of 5-7cm in a 40-year-old Burgundy could be considered normal
or, indeed, good for age. An ullage of 3-4 cm could be excellent for age.
- Bottle descriptions
-
Half Bottle
|
equal to half a 'regular' bottle
|
375 ml
|
Bottle
|
a 'regular' bottle
|
750 ml
|
Magnum
|
equal to 2 bottles
|
1,500 ml
|
Marie-Jeanne (Bordeaux)
|
equal to 3 bottles
|
2,250 ml
|
Tregnum (Bordeaux)
|
equal to 3 bottles
|
2,250 ml
|
Double Magnum
|
equal to 4 bottles
|
3,000 ml
|
Jeroboam (Sparkling/Burgundy)
|
equal to 4 bottles
|
3,000 ml
|
Jeroboam (Bordeaux)
|
equal to 6 bottles
|
4,500 ml
|
Rehoboam (Sparkling/Burgundy)
|
equal to 6 bottles
|
4,500 ml
|
Imperial (Bordeaux)
|
equal to 8 bottles
|
6,000 ml
|
Methuselah (Sparkling/Burgundy)
|
equal to 8 bottles
|
6,000 ml
|
Salmanazar (Sparkling/Burgundy)
|
equal to 12 bottles
|
9,000 ml
|
Balthazar (Sparkling/Burgundy)
|
equal to 16 bottles
|
12,000 ml
|
Double Imperial (Bordeaux)
|
equal to 16 bottles
|
12,000 ml
|
Nebuchadnezzar (Sparkling/Burgundy)
|
equal to 20 bottles
|
16,000 ml
|
|
|
- Cellar-damaged label
-
Cellar damaged label is used in the catalogue to define labels soiled by dust and
dirt, or marked by racking wires, humidity or water. The condition of a wine's label
is taken into consideration in determining value. Langton's makes every effort to
describe in detail the conditions of labels.
- Damaged capsule
-
The capsule in place is torn or damaged in some way.
- Henschke Quality Assurance Program
-
This is an in-house re-corking program for old bottles of Henschke red wines still
owned by C. A. Henschke & Co. The program is conducted by Henschke and Langton's
Fine Wine Auctions and is similar in concept to the Penfolds re-corking program.
- Jimmy Watson Trophy
-
The wine was awarded the Jimmy Watson Trophy at the Melbourne Wine Show.
- Langton's Classification of Australian Wine
-
- Exceptional
-
The most highly sought after and prized Australian wines on the market.
- Outstanding
-
'Super seconds' of the Australian wine market. Benchmark quality wines with a very
strong market following.
- Excellent
-
High performing wines of exquisite quality achieving slightly lower values and market
strength.
- Distinguished
-
Secondary market staples or emerging classics that are sometimes undervalued by
the market.
- Missing capsule
-
There is no capsule in place. Wines without an original capsule will generally not
be sold.
- Original presentation box
-
Some wines are packed in timber or cardboard presentation boxes - for example Henschke
Hill of Grace.
- Original timber case
-
Some wines are packed in timber cases - for example Penfolds Grange (since 1987),
Jim Barry's The Armagh, Penfolds Grange magnums, Howard Park etc. Collectors find
these lots highly attractive.
- Penfolds Red Wine Clinic
-
Penfolds red wines that are 15 years and older may be assessed, topped up, re-corked
and re-capsuled at bi-annual wine clinics held in state capitals in conjunction
with Langton's Fine Wine Auctions. Bottles in acceptable condition are given back
labels signed by a Penfolds winemaker certifying that the wine has been topped up
and re-corked under proper supervision. Langton's will not sell any wine that has
failed to meet Clinic standards. We advise clients to never buy Penfolds Grange
without a company capsule.
- PI = Passed In
-
A lot is passed in when a wine does not reach its vendor reserve.
- Provenance & storage conditions
-
The provenance of a wine sets out the history of the bottle and a description of
the condition of the wine. Langton's makes every effort to determine the provenance
of each wine entered into our auctions. If you require more information about a
particular lot, please contact us. It is usually the case that storing wine in a
warmer climate increases the risk of damage.
- Signed by winemaker
-
This indicates the label has been signed by the winemaker - for example Max Schubert
(Penfolds Grange), Phillip Jones (Bass Phillip), Rick Kinzbrunner (Giaconda).
- Screw cap
-
A screw cap is an old closure that is enjoying a comeback. Its special feature is
a compressible disc inside the top of the capsule that provides an airtight seal
when the capsule is 'rolled-on' during the bottling process.
- Stelvin capsule
-
A Stelvin capsule is an alternative closure to cork. It was used in the 1970s by
Yalumba with its Pewsey Vale Riesling and Chateau Reynella and by Hungerford Hill
with their Coonawarra rieslings. Other alternatives include various forms of synthetic
cork (so realistic that it is hard to tell the difference) and a snap-lock closure
that is under development by ACI.
- Wax capsule
-
The original capsule is wax, not metal or plastic. Wax capsules are quite common
on larger format bottles.
|