24 half-bottles per lot
Details
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.
Château Lafite-Rothschild--Vintage 1949
Pauillac, 1er cru classé
Lot 1 levels: two bottom neck, one very top, one top, two upper/top, six upper, three upper/mid and three mid shoulder; one slightly raised cork, imported by Lord's Ltd. Washington. DC. Lot 2 levels: three very top, two top, three upper/top, six upper, two upper/mid and six mid shoulder; two low shoulder; imported by Excelsior NY from Cruse
Lot 2 in original wooden case
"Most recently: high toned, tea-like, spicy; sweet entry; dry slightly raw finish, but very flavoury. Last noted at Len Evans' Single-bottle Club birthday dinner, Sept 2000. At best *****" MB, Vintage Wine
24 half-bottles per lot
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.
Château Lafite-Rothschild--Vintage 1949
Pauillac, 1er cru classé
Lot 1 levels: two bottom neck, one very top, one top, two upper/top, six upper, three upper/mid and three mid shoulder; one slightly raised cork, imported by Lord's Ltd. Washington. DC. Lot 2 levels: three very top, two top, three upper/top, six upper, two upper/mid and six mid shoulder; two low shoulder; imported by Excelsior NY from Cruse
Lot 2 in original wooden case
"Most recently: high toned, tea-like, spicy; sweet entry; dry slightly raw finish, but very flavoury. Last noted at Len Evans' Single-bottle Club birthday dinner, Sept 2000. At best *****" MB, Vintage Wine
24 half-bottles per lot