AN EXCEPTIONALLY RARE BOTTLE OF EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY LAFITE OF EXCELLENT PROVENANCE
Recently removed from the private cellars of a noted European aristocrat who has family connections with the Rothschilds
Now lying at Christie's
Château Lafite--Vintage 1791
Details
Château Lafite--Vintage 1791
Pauillac, 1er cru classé. Château-bottled
Château capsule. Bin-soiled Château label, vintage clear. Recorked and re-conditioned by the Château approximately 30 years ago. Level just into neck. Good, deep, healthy colour
Mr Christie in his wine sale catalogue of May 23 1797 offered for sale six hogsheads of first-growth claret of 1791 "considered the best vintage that France has produced for many years" - at least since 1784, for this was the vintage that Jefferson recorded as the most renowed and expensive of the period. Although the château was not specified, the term " first growth" would limit to Haut-Brion (unlikely), Latour (possible) Margaux or Lafite. This exalted classification was well established by the middle of the 18th century, Lafite and Margaux being considered equal top
The first mention of the name of any château or specific vineyard to appear in the saleroom was in February 1788 when James Christie disposed of a large stock of fine wine from the cellar of Count d'Adhemar, the French Ambassador, at Hyde Park Corner. It included four dozen Lafete (sic) and 15 dozen Margeau (sic), no vintage specified but likely to be no older than 1783 or 1784.
No notes of the 1791 Lafite exist but a bottle of "1791 Château Margaux" was in remarkable condition when tasted in 1987. The 1791 Lafite in today's sale pre-dates the oldest vintage in the private cellar at Lafite by eight years. M.B.
1 bottle per lot
Pauillac, 1er cru classé. Château-bottled
Château capsule. Bin-soiled Château label, vintage clear. Recorked and re-conditioned by the Château approximately 30 years ago. Level just into neck. Good, deep, healthy colour
Mr Christie in his wine sale catalogue of May 23 1797 offered for sale six hogsheads of first-growth claret of 1791 "considered the best vintage that France has produced for many years" - at least since 1784, for this was the vintage that Jefferson recorded as the most renowed and expensive of the period. Although the château was not specified, the term " first growth" would limit to Haut-Brion (unlikely), Latour (possible) Margaux or Lafite. This exalted classification was well established by the middle of the 18th century, Lafite and Margaux being considered equal top
The first mention of the name of any château or specific vineyard to appear in the saleroom was in February 1788 when James Christie disposed of a large stock of fine wine from the cellar of Count d'Adhemar, the French Ambassador, at Hyde Park Corner. It included four dozen Lafete (sic) and 15 dozen Margeau (sic), no vintage specified but likely to be no older than 1783 or 1784.
No notes of the 1791 Lafite exist but a bottle of "1791 Château Margaux" was in remarkable condition when tasted in 1987. The 1791 Lafite in today's sale pre-dates the oldest vintage in the private cellar at Lafite by eight years. M.B.
1 bottle per lot
Further details
--------