1 magnum per lot
Details
The "Glamis Castle" Château Lafite 1870
I am frequently asked "What is the greatest wine that you have ever tasted?" Not easy to answer because I have been exposed to so many marvelous wines over the past half century. Yet I almost invariably say Château Lafite, in magnum from Glamis Castle.
When I first visited Glamis Castle, having been tipped off about the cellar of old and rare wines, I discovered, amongst other fabulous wines, a bin in which there was forty-two magnums of 1870 Lafite with original wax seals embossed "Coningham". I was then allowed to inspect the original cellar-book and found that forty-eight bottles had been bought by the 13th Earl of Strathmore and binned in 1878. The wine was so astringent that he did not like it and, when he died (around 1913 if my memory serves me right) the wine was virtually untouched, and his successors just left it. In fact it took a full 50 years to become mellow enough to drink, and it was already a century old at the time of my visit and then agreement to sell all the Glamis Castle old wine.
It was one of the most memorable wine experiences of my career to date (June 1971) . I thought it prudent to open a magnum - just in case the old Earl had been right and the wine was still undrinkable. So I organised a dinner at Christie's to which about a dozen eminent client connoisseurs were invited. The level was perfect, the cork was sound, the colour of the wine impressively deep, its nose was sound - not a trace of oxidisation or acidity, and its balance and flavour perfection. We had just 41 magnums left for sale and this was purchased at the original sale. I have had the opportunity of tasting the Glamis 1870 on several occasions since. It is quite simply, one of the greatest-ever clarets. MB.
Château Lafite-Rothschild--Vintage 1870
Pauillac, 1er cru classé
Slightly wine stained Christie's slip label. Level: into neck. Recorked, recapsuled and labelled by the Château in 1986
1 magnum per lot
I am frequently asked "What is the greatest wine that you have ever tasted?" Not easy to answer because I have been exposed to so many marvelous wines over the past half century. Yet I almost invariably say Château Lafite, in magnum from Glamis Castle.
When I first visited Glamis Castle, having been tipped off about the cellar of old and rare wines, I discovered, amongst other fabulous wines, a bin in which there was forty-two magnums of 1870 Lafite with original wax seals embossed "Coningham". I was then allowed to inspect the original cellar-book and found that forty-eight bottles had been bought by the 13th Earl of Strathmore and binned in 1878. The wine was so astringent that he did not like it and, when he died (around 1913 if my memory serves me right) the wine was virtually untouched, and his successors just left it. In fact it took a full 50 years to become mellow enough to drink, and it was already a century old at the time of my visit and then agreement to sell all the Glamis Castle old wine.
It was one of the most memorable wine experiences of my career to date (June 1971) . I thought it prudent to open a magnum - just in case the old Earl had been right and the wine was still undrinkable. So I organised a dinner at Christie's to which about a dozen eminent client connoisseurs were invited. The level was perfect, the cork was sound, the colour of the wine impressively deep, its nose was sound - not a trace of oxidisation or acidity, and its balance and flavour perfection. We had just 41 magnums left for sale and this was purchased at the original sale. I have had the opportunity of tasting the Glamis 1870 on several occasions since. It is quite simply, one of the greatest-ever clarets. MB.
Château Lafite-Rothschild--Vintage 1870
Pauillac, 1er cru classé
Slightly wine stained Christie's slip label. Level: into neck. Recorked, recapsuled and labelled by the Château in 1986
1 magnum per lot