1 dozen bottles per lot
Details
A "PERFECT" WINE TO ROUND OUT THE NIGHT
CHÂTEAU LAFITE ROTHSCHILD
HISTORY
The celebrated growth of Lafite is of remote origin and very ancient renown. Throughout the Middle Ages, the Seigneurs of Lafite with 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 and had outlived not only his four famous brothers, but as many French régimes -- those of Napoleon, Louis XVIII, Charles X and Louis-Philippe. By the late 1860s the Baron was not only the richest man in France but the most powerful.
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, and if so there can be no doubt as to how this came to be for Lafite is a wine that has always been produced with zealous care. No matter our opinion, Lafite retains a reputation untarnished since the days of Ausonius.
Property of a Lady and Gentleman
Recently removed from a custom built home cellar of impeccable storage conditions for fine wine. This consignor's first offering at auction began with our Los Angeles November 2003 Historic Vintages from the Cellars of Château Latour sale.
Château Lafite-Rothschild--Vintage 1986
Pauillac, 1er cru classé
All lots in original wooden case
Parcel: lots AAA-DDD
"The 1986 possesses outstanding richness, a deep color, medium body, a graceful, harmonious texture, and superb length. The penetrating fragrance of cedar, chestnuts, minerals, and rich fruit is the hallmark of this wine. Powerful, dense, rich and tannic, as well as medium to full-bodied, with awesome extraction of fruit, this Lafite has immense potential. Patience is required." (Robert Parker, Bordeaux Book, 3rd ed. (1998)
1 dozen bottles per lot
CHÂTEAU LAFITE ROTHSCHILD
HISTORY
The celebrated growth of Lafite is of remote origin and very ancient renown. Throughout the Middle Ages, the Seigneurs of Lafite with 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 and had outlived not only his four famous brothers, but as many French régimes -- those of Napoleon, Louis XVIII, Charles X and Louis-Philippe. By the late 1860s the Baron was not only the richest man in France but the most powerful.
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, and if so there can be no doubt as to how this came to be for Lafite is a wine that has always been produced with zealous care. No matter our opinion, Lafite retains a reputation untarnished since the days of Ausonius.
Property of a Lady and Gentleman
Recently removed from a custom built home cellar of impeccable storage conditions for fine wine. This consignor's first offering at auction began with our Los Angeles November 2003 Historic Vintages from the Cellars of Château Latour sale.
Château Lafite-Rothschild--Vintage 1986
Pauillac, 1er cru classé
All lots in original wooden case
Parcel: lots AAA-DDD
"The 1986 possesses outstanding richness, a deep color, medium body, a graceful, harmonious texture, and superb length. The penetrating fragrance of cedar, chestnuts, minerals, and rich fruit is the hallmark of this wine. Powerful, dense, rich and tannic, as well as medium to full-bodied, with awesome extraction of fruit, this Lafite has immense potential. Patience is required." (Robert Parker, Bordeaux Book, 3rd ed. (1998)
1 dozen bottles per lot
Special notice
ParcelWine