Grange sells for $595

    Prices of up to AUS$595 were paid for single bottles of the latest vintage of Australia's top wine, Penfold's Grange, when it went on sale today.

    The hefty price was the highest ever release price for the world-renowned wine.

    The 2003 vintage ?Grange is only released after five years' ageing - has been widely tipped to be one of the 'great' Granges.

    Retailers reported that allocations, in the past frequently highly-limited, were slightly greater than last year with reports that Penfold's owner, Foster's, was sending less to the USA this year because of dropping sales.

    Foster's Group was selling the wine at AUS$559 at its cellar door at Magill, in suburban Adelaide where about 20 people were waiting when the door opened at 8am.

    Top price appears to be AUS$595 a bottle at Edinburgh Cellars in Adelaide but at liquor store giant Dan Murphy's the price was AUS$541.50 ?if part of a purchase of six, mixed, wines ?or AUS$570 for a single bottle.

    Dan Murphy's national merchandise manager, Steve Donohue, said demand generally had been good and in line with expectations.