Malmsey Solera 1808 | Christie's

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VA… Read more

A SUPERB PRIVATE COLLECTION OF RARE MADEIRA This is unquestionably one of the best collections of Madeira to come on the market in recent years; certainly the widest range. Every style from rapier-like dry Sercials to luscious Malmsey, with my favourite and most versatile medium-sweet Verdelho and rich Bual or Boal in between. Madeira, endearing and enduring, is - with the possible and rare exception Tokay essence - the longest living of all wines. It has so many facets and virtues. A complex wine which, with sherry and port, was one of the trio of classic fortified wines created by the English (and Scottish) merchants and entrepreneurs, in the 18th century, and was shipped in large quantities to this country and the many British colonies overseas. At home its richness and strength countered our cold climate and draughty homes. Conversely and uniquely it was the only wine which could survive the long sea voyages and the heat and humidity of our American colonies, the west and east Indies, and nourish the Garrisons in India. Times have changed but the wines have not. Moreover I cannot recall a single bottle, however old, that has not been delicious to drink. It is a great survivor. Further it can be kept upright in virtually any storage conditions and, once opened, will remain fresh and drinkable for several weeks. What more can one ask? For nearly a quarter of a millennium, or, to be a little more precise, two hundred and forty years ago this year, Madeira has featured in Christie's wine sales; in fact, 'Fine Old Madeira' appeared in the catalogue of James Christie's first-ever sale in December 1766. Ten years later Christie's auctioned 'a pipe of very fine old high-flavoured Madeira' for the Govenor of Madras; the same year that Lieutenant (later Captain) Cook's ship HMS Endeavor called in at Funchal, the capital and main port of the island, to pick up over 3000 gallons of Madeira for his two and a half years voyage - to prevent scurvy. Unbelievably over forty years later some of the wine left over from 'Captain Cook's voyage round the world' was auctioned by Christie's! Finally, be reassured, one does not have to be an expert to enjoy Madeira: appreciate, preferably by candlelight, the shades of glowing amber; the wines inimitable, almost overpowering and penetrating bouquet, its richness, concentration and almost interminable length of flavour. Now is your chance! M.B. (February 2006)

Malmsey Solera 1808

2 bottles per lot

Details

The following lots 300-475 are the property of a Madeira enthusiast who has been collecting for many years, purchasing bottles through auction and the UK wine trade, resulting in an exceptional collection.
The bottles have been removed from good storage, inspected and packed by Christie's staff and are now lying in Twickenham, Middlesex (EHD)
Malmsey Solera 1808
Cossart & Gordon. Damaged wax capsules. One label missing, one damaged and bin-soiled
Tasting Note: According to Noel Cossart the 'best ever known'. I have three notes: very rich tawny brown; gloriously harmonious bouquet, caramel, coffee, 'ethereal' fragrance; still very sweet, characteristically high acidity balanced by its richness and power. (October 1984) ***** M.B.
2 bottles per lot

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium, which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

More from FINE WINE AND VINTAGE PORT

View All