A MAGNIFICENT COLLECTION OF FINEST CLARET, SAUTERNES AND MATURE CHAMPAGNE FROM A NOTABLE PARIS CELLAR
The Property of Caviar Kaspia, of Place de La Madeleine, Paris
Recently packed by Christie's staff and shipped to London. Lots marked + are offered duty-paid only and are lying at Christie's available for collection only. The remainder are lying London, S.E.1, lots indicated available in bond
A selection of the older bottles will be on view at Christie's prior to the sale
Following the untimely death of the owner, this is the final tranche of great wines from this outstanding cellar, the first two - which included bottles of the famous 1806 Lafite, being sold at Christie's 10 and 15 years ago
A tasting note relating to each vintage and virtually every wine appears in the new edition of The Great Vintage Wine Book, selected extracts from which being quoted below the basic description of some of the oldest and the greatest wines
As is evident from the collection, the owners have nurtured this extraordinary cellar for many years. Originally established by the late owner's father, it has recently been managed with tremendous care by Monsieur Dugoujon, who developed a great interest in, and knowledge of, fine wines whilst director of the famous Paris restaurant, Maxim's, prior to joining Caviar Kaspia. His was the task of arranging the cellar, and monitoring the development of the wines, and consequently, the need for recorking.
Recorking, thanks to excellent contacts with the principle Bordeaux proprietors, has been done on a regular basis, with important recorking sessions at Lafite in 1953, 1957 and 1986, and at Yquem in 1988 and 1989.
In short, thanks to careful buying over a very long period of time, and immense care in handling and storage, they are today able to offer the most remarkable collection of wines to have nbeen seen for a very considerable period of time
Château Lafite--Vintage 1844
Details
Château Lafite--Vintage 1844
Pauillac. Château-bottled
Original hand-blown bottles, with sloping shoulders, and long striated necks. The first three lots recorked at the Château in October 1953, the last in 1986. On the first three, label and recorking slip endorsed by Château stamp, and branded corks with vintage legible. On the last, recorking slip affixed to back of bottle, and cork clearly branded, though not legible beneath capsule. All levels excellent
Lafite, together with Château Margaux, Latour, Haut-Brion and d'Yquem, was already a recognized first growth of Bordeaux as early as the second half of the 18th century though it was not until 1855 that it was officially classified.
1844 was regarded as the best vintage since 1815. Picking commenced on 8th October, the crop was small, the prices high. Indeed, it was the start of a boom perion in Bordeaux which faltered in the late 1860s/early 1870s, and finally ended with the phylloxera, bad weather and a severe recession.
Tasting note: Rich looking, beautiful colour; equally full rich bouquet, fragrant, ripe - almost overripe - henhouse scent; on the sweet side, fair body, very positive and lovely flavour, great length, good tannin and acidity.
From a bottle recorked at the Château in October 1953 and tasted October 1988 ****
1 bottle per lot
Pauillac. Château-bottled
Original hand-blown bottles, with sloping shoulders, and long striated necks. The first three lots recorked at the Château in October 1953, the last in 1986. On the first three, label and recorking slip endorsed by Château stamp, and branded corks with vintage legible. On the last, recorking slip affixed to back of bottle, and cork clearly branded, though not legible beneath capsule. All levels excellent
Lafite, together with Château Margaux, Latour, Haut-Brion and d'Yquem, was already a recognized first growth of Bordeaux as early as the second half of the 18th century though it was not until 1855 that it was officially classified.
1844 was regarded as the best vintage since 1815. Picking commenced on 8th October, the crop was small, the prices high. Indeed, it was the start of a boom perion in Bordeaux which faltered in the late 1860s/early 1870s, and finally ended with the phylloxera, bad weather and a severe recession.
Tasting note: Rich looking, beautiful colour; equally full rich bouquet, fragrant, ripe - almost overripe - henhouse scent; on the sweet side, fair body, very positive and lovely flavour, great length, good tannin and acidity.
From a bottle recorked at the Château in October 1953 and tasted October 1988 ****
1 bottle per lot