Taylor--Vintage 1935

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CHRISTIE'S WINE DEPARTMENT, FROM 1966 TO 2006 Wednesday 11 October 1966 was memorable in many respects. It was the first sale of the first season of Christie's Wine Department. Between then and the end of July 1967 a staff of six managed to organise no fewer than 32 wine auctions. From the start the typography, names and classifications set a pattern still seen today. No estimates were printed, but after each sale a list of prices paid was published, with buyers' surnames (I well recall a 'Mr Brown' objecting to the publication of his name). But 11 October 1966 was not the first time Christie's had auctioned wine. James Christie's first ever sale (on 5 December 1766) included 'Fine old Claret' and 'Fine old Madeira.' The first Christie's all-wine sale was on 7 September 1769, and the first auction catalogue that included the names of wine estates was on 8 February 1788 - perhaps, unsurprisingly, they were 'Lafete' (sic) and 'Chateaux Margeaux' (sic). Happily, our archives survived the Blitz and, uniquely, all Christie's auctioneers' bound catalogues from 1766 survive. After World War II, restrictions limited the selling and buying of wine to bonafide members of the licensed trade, so 'public auctions' could not be resumed. In 1965 the directors considered re-starting wine auctions, which is when I came in. Aged 39, with wide wine-trade experience and appropriate qualifications, I was taken on, to head up a completely new specialised department. I well recall the chairman, Peter Chance, shaking my hand and saying, 'Well, Broadbent, it is up to you.' My knees went to jelly. On 1 July 1966 I found myself occupying an empty office with no staff and none of the facilities I was used to as a director of Harveys of Bristol. The first person I took on was Digby Lang a former and scrupulously efficient colleague, who soon turned out to be a core member of the department. Then I had another totally unexpected piece of luck. 1966 happened to be the centenary of the only wine auctioneers in London, W.&T. Restell. Alan Taylor-Restell, suggested that his family business and Christie's new wine department might combine. He was the technician, administrator and expert in his own field and I, for want of a better word, was the entrepreneur. Our 'Gilbert and Sullivan' partnership thrived for many years. So, on Wednesday 11 October 1966, Managing Director Guy Hannen opened the sale and handed his gavel to Alan, who soon earned the reputation as the fastest auctioneer in the business. It was not until the last sale of the season, 25 July 1967, that I was pushed into the rostrum with just 20 minutes notice. To say I was nervous is an understatement. That first season we catalogued over 11,000 lots, serviced 796 vendors and attracted 2945 buyers. The sale which really put us on the map was the first 'Finest and Rarest' on 31 May 1967, which included an unparallel range of fine wines. A new international market for fine wine had come to stay. The sold total that first season was a modest but encouraging #220,634; we hit our first million in 1972/3. These figures are light years behind London's recent 'Finest and Rarest' sale, which alone totalled #1.7 million. Michael Broadbent MW, Director and Senior Consultant, was founder and Head of Christie's Wine Department from 1966-1992. ----------- Following Michael's stylish reflections, I am happy to report that the global thirst for the finest and rarest wines continues to increase with each passing vintage. Our current European saleroom network now extends to London, both King Street (since 1966) and South Kensington (1975), Geneva (1975), Amsterdam (1976) and most recently, Paris (2002). This year our New York and Los Angeles auctions celebrate a decade of unmatched sales and continue to offer buyers unparalleled access to the fine wine market in both range and frequency. London remains a global centre for trading fine wine, which is reflected by the impressive variety and scope of the auctions held here. On 21 September our sale season opened with a sale dedicated to Fine Burgundy, followed by two major 'Finest and Rarest' auctions, this auction and 19 October, either side of the 40th anniversary of the first sale of the 'new era' referred to by Michael. Virtually every classic vintage and property of the last two centuries is represented in the two sales. The more modest consumer is not forgotten: Christie's South Kensington's monthly afternoon sales, a prime buying location for the private consumer, continues with a single-owner collection on 16 October. As the only International auction house to offer regular wine sales outside London, we continue to serve the Dutch, Swiss and French markets from Amsterdam, Geneva and Paris respectively. Ten auctions each year outside London and across mainland Europe serve as a valuable link to the International market. In conclusion, I look forward to another season of exciting auctions at Christie's; to a continuing global trend towards quality and excellence at all price levels and to raising a glass to producers and consumers wherever they are. The toast is - the world of wine! David Elswood International Head of Christie's Wine Department

4 bottles per lot

Details

A SUPERLATIVE RANGE OF FINE AND RARE VINTAGE PORT FROM A COUNTRY HOUSE CELLAR
When Christie's, under Michael Broadbent, first established the international market for Fine Wines, back in 1966, a large majority of some of the Finest and Rarest wines offered came from the cool, mostly damp extremities of the 'Country House Cellar'. Noble Families, then often driven by the needs and expediencies of death, debt and divorce found a ready market for their historical, vinous treasures with a newly-formed clientele of wine lovers and collectors. The global market for wine was born.

This selection of Vintage Port from lots 1 to 15, could come from that era. Superb and uninterrupted long-term (since original release in most cases) storage from the environs of superb, nobly-owned cellarage, conferring somehow an additional cachet of provenance almost unseen in today's frantic 'winebourse'. In an age when fine and rare wines have now become the gaming chips of international wine investment and speculation, it's rather satisfying to reflect that things were not always that way. These bottles will be making way in the owner's cellar for more practical, usable alternatives and so our successful buyers can take advantage of acquiring with the bottles, a little bit of wine history fast disappearing from the market today. D.E.

Lying in Twickenham, Middlesex (EHD)

See also lots 23, 40, 447 and 456 for wines from the same cellar
Taylor--Vintage 1935
Recorked by Berry Brothers and Rudd (4/3/66). One original cork attached. One corroded capsule. No labels. Levels into neck
Tasting Note: Four recent notes. Classic. Inimitable. No longer deep and with fairly mature, relaxed, amber rim; very fragrant, spicy, ethereal bouquet; still sweet, rich, silky, lovely flavour. Excellent length and condition. Last tasted May 2003 ***** M.B.
4 bottles per lot

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 15% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

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