1 jeroboam per lot
Details
A RARE JEROBOAM OF LAFITE 1959
VINTAGE 1959 *****
"A great vintage. Hugely popular with the British wine trade, proclaimed by the pundits at 'the vintage of the century' and très grands vins by the Bordelais, the optimists were not far out despite some talk of lack of acidity. Apropos, the eminent Professor Peynaud states that if a wine has an abundance of all the major component parts, alcohol, extract, fruit and tannin an equally high level of acidity is not only not essential, it is not necessary. The 1959 vintage was blessed with a very favourable growing season, in particular a fine, arm summer, with rain mid-September to swell the grapes; the harvest followed a week or so later." MB, Vintage Wine
CHÂTEAU LAFITE ROTHSCHILD
The celebrated growth of Lafite is of remote origin and very ancient renown. It occupies the finest crests in Pauillac. Throughout the Middle Ages, the Seigneurs of Lafite were the high administrators of justice in this country. It was through the officers of their choice that they excercised 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 of 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.
But what of the wine?
By now many of you know of Lafite's legendary pre-phylloxera vintages, 1864, Lord Rosebery's 1865, the Glamis Castle's 1870, the Woodperry House's 1874. Then of course there are the great mid-century Lafite vintages of our time: 1945, 1947, 1949, 1959 and 1966. It is said that the bouquet of Lafite is very suave and of incomparable delicacy; its savour brings together at the same time the taste of almonds and the scent of violets without it being possible to distinguish whether the one dominates the other. Perhaps, as with great art, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Property of a Southern California gentleman
Removed from ideal professional storage
Château Lafite-Rothschild--Vintage 1959
Pauillac, 1er cru classé
Level: very top shoulder
"One of the best ever Lafites, quite different from the more delicately fragrant '53s and keeping well The extraordinary ability to exude not only an immediate cedary perfume but, very much a Lafite specialty, the way it opens up further avenues of fragrance and subtle by-paths, lingering in the mouth. Each time you pick up the glass you notice another facet of scent and taste. It also happens to be a good drink, still a perfect beverage. Last tasted Dec 2000 *****" MB, Vintage Wine
1 jeroboam per lot
VINTAGE 1959 *****
"A great vintage. Hugely popular with the British wine trade, proclaimed by the pundits at 'the vintage of the century' and très grands vins by the Bordelais, the optimists were not far out despite some talk of lack of acidity. Apropos, the eminent Professor Peynaud states that if a wine has an abundance of all the major component parts, alcohol, extract, fruit and tannin an equally high level of acidity is not only not essential, it is not necessary. The 1959 vintage was blessed with a very favourable growing season, in particular a fine, arm summer, with rain mid-September to swell the grapes; the harvest followed a week or so later." MB, Vintage Wine
CHÂTEAU LAFITE ROTHSCHILD
The celebrated growth of Lafite is of remote origin and very ancient renown. It occupies the finest crests in Pauillac. Throughout the Middle Ages, the Seigneurs of Lafite were the high administrators of justice in this country. It was through the officers of their choice that they excercised 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 of 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.
But what of the wine?
By now many of you know of Lafite's legendary pre-phylloxera vintages, 1864, Lord Rosebery's 1865, the Glamis Castle's 1870, the Woodperry House's 1874. Then of course there are the great mid-century Lafite vintages of our time: 1945, 1947, 1949, 1959 and 1966. It is said that the bouquet of Lafite is very suave and of incomparable delicacy; its savour brings together at the same time the taste of almonds and the scent of violets without it being possible to distinguish whether the one dominates the other. Perhaps, as with great art, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Property of a Southern California gentleman
Removed from ideal professional storage
Château Lafite-Rothschild--Vintage 1959
Pauillac, 1er cru classé
Level: very top shoulder
"One of the best ever Lafites, quite different from the more delicately fragrant '53s and keeping well The extraordinary ability to exude not only an immediate cedary perfume but, very much a Lafite specialty, the way it opens up further avenues of fragrance and subtle by-paths, lingering in the mouth. Each time you pick up the glass you notice another facet of scent and taste. It also happens to be a good drink, still a perfect beverage. Last tasted Dec 2000 *****" MB, Vintage Wine
1 jeroboam per lot
Provenance
Provenance:
Purchased upon commercial release in 1963 by the current owner
Purchased upon commercial release in 1963 by the current owner