AN EXCEPTIONALLY RARE LARGE FORMAT OF CHATEAU PETRUS 1945
Lying at Christie's
Château Pétrus--Vintage 1945
Details
Château Pétrus--Vintage 1945
Pomerol, cru exceptionnel. Château-bottled
Recorked at the Château in 1993. This is confirmed by clear branding on the cork. Excellent appearance. Capsule slightly loose, having been removed to verify branding on cork. Label very good, with slight staining. Excellent level, into neck
Bottle size This magnificent bottle was believed by the vendor to contain the equivalent of five standard bottles, although placed adjacent to a standard double-magnum it appeared to be of similar size, if slightly broader. There is some confusion as to whether there is, or ever has been, officially a five-bottle size bottle. The vendor believed it to be called a " dame-jeanne", the French name which became corrupted to the English "demi-john". However, some authorities believe a "dame-jeanne" to be simply another name for a marie-jeanne (3 bottles)
Christie's consequently undertook an Archimedian experiment, immersing the bottle into a water container (inside a sealed bag), and measuring the volume of water displaced. Having allowed for the depth of the punt, the volume was found to be 3.87 litres, the equivalent of 5.16 standard bottles. This being the external volume, it can safely be assumed that the internal capacity is approximately equivalent to five bottles
Tasting note: I have noted this pretty rare and almost priceless wine on nine occasions. No doubt about it: a very great wine. At the beginning of the 1980s opaque, retaining fairly convincing depth and intensity, and very lively-looking; soft, milky, vanilla noticed on the nose, yet perfectly evolved, very fragrant, full of fruit. On the palate fairly sweet, now less massive, but a rich, soft, chewy charmer. Perfect weight, rich, good length with some acidity peeping through. May 1993 ***** (J.M.B., GVWB)
1 "dame-Jeanne" (approx 3.87 litres) per lot
Pomerol, cru exceptionnel. Château-bottled
Recorked at the Château in 1993. This is confirmed by clear branding on the cork. Excellent appearance. Capsule slightly loose, having been removed to verify branding on cork. Label very good, with slight staining. Excellent level, into neck
Bottle size This magnificent bottle was believed by the vendor to contain the equivalent of five standard bottles, although placed adjacent to a standard double-magnum it appeared to be of similar size, if slightly broader. There is some confusion as to whether there is, or ever has been, officially a five-bottle size bottle. The vendor believed it to be called a " dame-jeanne", the French name which became corrupted to the English "demi-john". However, some authorities believe a "dame-jeanne" to be simply another name for a marie-jeanne (3 bottles)
Christie's consequently undertook an Archimedian experiment, immersing the bottle into a water container (inside a sealed bag), and measuring the volume of water displaced. Having allowed for the depth of the punt, the volume was found to be 3.87 litres, the equivalent of 5.16 standard bottles. This being the external volume, it can safely be assumed that the internal capacity is approximately equivalent to five bottles
Tasting note: I have noted this pretty rare and almost priceless wine on nine occasions. No doubt about it: a very great wine. At the beginning of the 1980s opaque, retaining fairly convincing depth and intensity, and very lively-looking; soft, milky, vanilla noticed on the nose, yet perfectly evolved, very fragrant, full of fruit. On the palate fairly sweet, now less massive, but a rich, soft, chewy charmer. Perfect weight, rich, good length with some acidity peeping through. May 1993 ***** (J.M.B., GVWB)
1 "dame-Jeanne" (approx 3.87 litres) per lot
Further details
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