12 bottles per lot
Details
TWO RARE CASES OF LAFITE-ROTHSCHILD 1982 RECENTLY REMOVED FROM THE CHATEAU
The celebrated growth of Lafite is of remote origin and very ancient renown. It occupies the finest crest in Pauillac. Throughout the Middles ages, the Seigneurs of Lafite were the high administrators of justice in this country. It was through the officers of their choice that they exercised this right until 1789. The great qualities shown by their wines earned them the sobriquet "Princes of the Vines". Lafite was very fashionable at the king's table in the time Louis XV. It had a place of honor at the banquets held by Marshal de Richelieu, and Madame de Pompadour always poured some at her little suppers. After having been the property of the great de Ségur family, it belonged to Mr. de Prichard, President of the Parliament of Guienne, until the end of the 18th century. Unfortunately, he was not spared by the upheaval of the revolution and was guillotined in Paris on June 30,1794. At this point Lafite became the property of the state, eventually it was acquired by a Dutchman, Vanderberghes, and then by the English banker Sir Samuel Scott. In 1868, it was purchased by Baron James de Rothschild and still belongs to his heirs. The Baron's purchase of Lafite came late in his life, he was 76 years old.
VINTAGE 1982 *****
A milestone. A sign of the complete recovery of the market; more, that the combination of richness and perceived quality matched the economic climate. It was the first really important, and well-timed, vin de garde since 1970, and perhaps the first universally touted ripe-for-investment vintage of the post war period.
Ideal growing condition. Flowering early and evenly. Hot and dry summer, harvest from 14 September in great heat. There was then a change, two days of heavy rain. I was there and thought it presaged another '64. The sun and fresh breezes enable the Cabernets to ripen more normally. Rich tannic wines resulted. The big guns still have fire power and lengh of trajectory
Château Lafite-Rothschild--Vintage 1982
Pauillac, 1er cru classé
All of the wines were recently released from the château. They are all in perfect condition and offered in a new original wooden cases
Tasting note: This is a denser version of the 1990 that stylistically reminds me of what the young 1959 probably tasted like. Still backward with a deep ruby/plum color revealing only a touch of lightening at the edge, the wine offers up an extraordinary nose of caramelized herbs, smoke, cedar, pen ink, black currants, and earth. The gorgeous aromatics are followed by a full-bodied, plump, rich, fleshy wine with low acidity. With 6-8 hours decanting in a closed decanter, it will offer beautiful drinking, but it needs another 5-8 years to reach full maturity. It is capable of lasting 50-60 years. This classic Lafite is not as fat and concentrated as the 1982 Latour, nor as complex or concentrated as the 1982 Mouton Rothschild, but it is a winner all the same. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate # 183 (Jun 2009)
12 bottles per lot
The celebrated growth of Lafite is of remote origin and very ancient renown. It occupies the finest crest in Pauillac. Throughout the Middles ages, the Seigneurs of Lafite were the high administrators of justice in this country. It was through the officers of their choice that they exercised this right until 1789. The great qualities shown by their wines earned them the sobriquet "Princes of the Vines". Lafite was very fashionable at the king's table in the time Louis XV. It had a place of honor at the banquets held by Marshal de Richelieu, and Madame de Pompadour always poured some at her little suppers. After having been the property of the great de Ségur family, it belonged to Mr. de Prichard, President of the Parliament of Guienne, until the end of the 18th century. Unfortunately, he was not spared by the upheaval of the revolution and was guillotined in Paris on June 30,1794. At this point Lafite became the property of the state, eventually it was acquired by a Dutchman, Vanderberghes, and then by the English banker Sir Samuel Scott. In 1868, it was purchased by Baron James de Rothschild and still belongs to his heirs. The Baron's purchase of Lafite came late in his life, he was 76 years old.
VINTAGE 1982 *****
A milestone. A sign of the complete recovery of the market; more, that the combination of richness and perceived quality matched the economic climate. It was the first really important, and well-timed, vin de garde since 1970, and perhaps the first universally touted ripe-for-investment vintage of the post war period.
Ideal growing condition. Flowering early and evenly. Hot and dry summer, harvest from 14 September in great heat. There was then a change, two days of heavy rain. I was there and thought it presaged another '64. The sun and fresh breezes enable the Cabernets to ripen more normally. Rich tannic wines resulted. The big guns still have fire power and lengh of trajectory
Château Lafite-Rothschild--Vintage 1982
Pauillac, 1er cru classé
All of the wines were recently released from the château. They are all in perfect condition and offered in a new original wooden cases
Tasting note: This is a denser version of the 1990 that stylistically reminds me of what the young 1959 probably tasted like. Still backward with a deep ruby/plum color revealing only a touch of lightening at the edge, the wine offers up an extraordinary nose of caramelized herbs, smoke, cedar, pen ink, black currants, and earth. The gorgeous aromatics are followed by a full-bodied, plump, rich, fleshy wine with low acidity. With 6-8 hours decanting in a closed decanter, it will offer beautiful drinking, but it needs another 5-8 years to reach full maturity. It is capable of lasting 50-60 years. This classic Lafite is not as fat and concentrated as the 1982 Latour, nor as complex or concentrated as the 1982 Mouton Rothschild, but it is a winner all the same. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate # 183 (Jun 2009)
12 bottles per lot
Special notice
ParcelWineFrom time to time, Christie's may offer a lot which it owns in whole or in part. This is such a lot.