Meet the Penfolds Ampoule. Despite appearances, it’s not a bionic robo-arm or a villain’s secret weapon for world-domination. It’s a bottle of Australian wine, albeit one that sells for the price of a suburban starter home. Yesterday, an anonymous (and definitely very, very rich) oenophile shelled out $168,000 to acquire the hand-blown bottle, which was on display in an airtight container in the LCBO at Yonge and Scrivener Square. Inside is an ultra-rare 2004 Kalimna Block 42, made from what are thought to be the oldest continually producing Cabernet Sauvignon vines in the world. Whoever the buyer is, he or she is in for a ceremonious treat when it comes time for a taste test. As explained on the Penfolds website: “[A] senior member of the Penfolds Winemaking team will [...] travel to the destination of choice, where the ampoule will be ceremoniously removed from its glass plumb-bob casing and opened using a specially designed, tungsten-tipped, sterling silver scribe-snap.” Naturally. [Toronto Star]
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