Torbreck Authenticity Question

[B_Caputo]

I bought a few bottles of 1999 Torbreck The Steading via Winebid. This is one of the auctions: 1999 Torbreck The Steading Proprietary Red | WineBid" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I overlooked it when I first received the bottles but I recently noticed that the bottles do NOT have the typical Torbreck bottle shape with the elongated glass at the top of the neck and no capsule. The bottles I received have a normal bottle neck and both have capsules. Can anyone tell me if Torbreck used different bottles in 99 or did I buy fake bottles from winebid? I have written to winebid as well as some to some email addresses I got from the Torbreck website but have yet to hear back from any of them. I’d appreciate any input.

Thanks in Advance,
Brian

[C_Bowman]

@B Caputo

I bought a few bottles of 1999 Torbreck The Steading via Winebid. This is one of the auctions: http://www.winebid.com/buy_wine/item_details.aspx?ItemId=3041946-T7404" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I overlooked it when I first received the bottles but I recently noticed that the bottles do NOT have the typical Torbreck bottle shape with the elongated glass at the top of the neck and no capsule. The bottles I received have a normal bottle neck and both have capsules. Can anyone tell me if Torbreck used different bottles in 99 or did I buy fake bottles from winebid? I have written to winebid as well as some to some email addresses I got from the Torbreck website but have yet to hear back from any of them. I’d appreciate any input.

Thanks in Advance,
Brian

Brian,
Welcome
I don’t have '99 Steading but I have some '99 Run Rig and it looks like the picture from the link. The '99 Run Rig does not have a capsule and I think all their bottles are the same if I recall. I don’t know if you bought a fake bottle but it sounds strange.

[Steve_Saxon]

It looks fine to me.

And why would someone go to the trouble counterfeiting a $25 wine?

[C_Bowman]

@Steve Saxon

It looks fine to me.

And why would someone go to the trouble counterfeiting a $25 wine?

Steve, Brian said his bottles showed up with capsules. $25 or not they don’t come that way

[Steve_Saxon]

So the wine was different than the picture…I would call WineBid and tell them your concerns, they’re great as far as customer care go’s.

[C_Bowman]

@Steve Saxon

So the wine was different than the picture…I would call WineBid and tell them your concerns, they’re great as far as customer care go’s.

From his description it sounds that way.
The link to the picture he posted from winebid and how he’s describing what showed up don’t add up, he needs to call and find out why.

[M_Sai]

Brian,

Does the back label have the standard “Surgeon General” warning about alcohol?? You may have a bottle that was originally distributed elsewhere (somewhere that didn’t require warnings about alcohol on the label) - which would also explain the capsules, some countries require special capsules to show that tax has been paid. We see this all the time when new collections come in - if the bottle was purchased from a ‘grey market’ source, you have no idea where the original intended destination for that bottle might have been.

And +1 on Steve’s comment - why in the world would you counterfeit a bottle worth less than $100??

[Daniel_Posner]

@Steve Saxon

go’s.

[C_Bowman]

@Daniel Posner

@Steve Saxon

go’s.

classic

[Randy_Bowman]

Opps.

[Steve_Saxon]

@Daniel Posner

@Steve Saxon

go’s.

Dan, I can’t understand why nobody likes you.

[Daniel_Posner]

So can I.

[B_Caputo]

Thanks everybody. The picture from WineBid is what I expected but Not what I received. In response to Mike, there IS an extra sticker that lists the Government warning and also says Imported by Premier Cru, Emeryville, CA. While I have heard of that importer I haven’t done any business with them. I just didn’t think Torbreck used any other bottles which is why I was concerned. I know this is no DRC La Tache or anything but I still don’t like worrying about the authenticity of my vino. As I said, I have already emailed Winebid and am still awaiting feedback. I appreciate the comments from everybody.

best regards,
Brian

[John_Morris]

Premier Cru is a big retailer that does a lot of gray market importing, so if there were different bottle styles in different markets, it wouldn’t be surprising that PC might turn those up.

[David_K_o_l_i_n]

email David Powell

dave at torbreck dot com

He’ll know or find the answer

[M_Sai]

@John Morris

Premier Cru is a big retailer that does a lot of gray market importing, so if there were different bottle styles in different markets, it wouldn’t be surprising that PC might turn those up.

+1 on this. If Premier Cru is adding the U.S. legal stuff, you can be sure that this bottle was meant to be purchased in a different market - one which may require a capsule, or a market where using a capsule makes sense due to consumer preferences.

[M_Sai]

Another note - most would be VERY surprised (as was I) by the vast differences between labels that were meant for different markets - even on the big boys like Lafite. And I’m not just talking about information - artwork can be different (more or less detailed), the color of the paper can me different, etc. Go to CellarTracker and look through all the different label shots that have been uploaded for Lafite - the differences are pretty amazing.

[Scott_Ho11owe11]

When I brought some bottles back from Australia a year ago, one of the vintners gave me a US, Australian, and Belgian labeled bottle. All varied quite significantly. Varying country requirements seems to be a plausible explanation, let us know what you hear.

[Scott_Ho11owe11]

@M. Sai

Another note - most would be VERY surprised (as was I) by the vast differences between labels that were meant for different markets - even on the big boys like Lafite. And I’m not just talking about information - artwork can be different (more or less detailed), the color of the paper can me different, etc. Go to CellarTracker and look through all the different label shots that have been uploaded for Lafite - the differences are pretty amazing.

The winery I referenced in my above post is able to label their wines as Organic in Aust. and the EU, but not in USA. I’m sure there are even more drastic examples as you cite.

[B_Caputo]

I heard back from Andrew Tierney Export Director at Torbreck and he said the following:

We did produce a small amount of wine under a non –proprietary label as the image above shows you. The wine is the same and everything is fine. I believe at the time the bottles that we were importing from France were not available and we had no alternative other to bottle under different glass. Today we purchase 12 months in advance to secure supplies.

The wine will not be counterfeit.

Thanks again everyone for your help.

regards,
Brian