1 dozen bottles per lot
Details
CHATEAU HAUT BRION
Haut Brion, meaning "high mound of grave," enjoys the oldest reputation in print of any wine in Bordeaux. Its most prominent early owner was Jean de Pontac (1488-1589), who built the Cheau, became the richest man in Bordeaux, and lived an extradordinary 101 years. The name of the Pontac family was often attached to the wine, and in 1666 Jean's great-great grandson, Francoise-Auguste, opened a tavern in London called "The Sign of Pontac's Head," where "Pontac" was sold for three times the price of any other wine. The fashionable tavern lasted for over a century.
The wine of Haut Brion was first sold at Christie's under the name of "Pontac" on April 6, 1778, consigned from the cellars of the Marquis de Noailles. Nine years later the American Ambassador to France, Thomas Jefferson, travelled to Bordeaux and as history has recorded was unsuccessful in his attempt to purchase a barrique of the 1784 vintage. He had to settle for two cases of fifty bottles each and was known to enjoy and promote the wines of Haut Brion to his friends and colleagues back in a nascent America.
Although fine wines were made in the 1920s the estate's renaissance is widely recognized to begin with the 1945 vintage, crafted by the senior Dillon-Delmas team. Clarence Dillon's granddaughter Joan began representing the property on behalf of the family when she moved to France in 1955. She became President of Domaine Clarence Dillon in 1974. After the death of her first husband, Prince Charles of Luxemburg, Princesse Joan married Philippe de Noailles, Duc de Muchy, and in 1978 asked him to become an active Director of the company. Since then, the Duc and Duchesse de Mouchy have shared the most important decisions regarding the management of the Domaine.
Haut Brion, the wine, has an illustrious reputation for its richness and suaveté and is generally comprised of 55 Cabernet Sauvignon, 25 Merlot and 20 Cabernet Franc. Haut Brion is not just geographically distant from its First Growth peers, for it is widely recognized as singular in style and grace.
Château Haut-Brion--Vintage 2003
Pessac (Graves), 1er cru classé
All lots in original wooden cases
Parcel: lots aaa-eee
"There are only 10,000 cases of this 2003 (12.85 alcohol, high for this estate). A blend of 58 Merlot, 31 Cabernet Sauvignon, and 11 Cabernet Franc, it reveals more tannin and a tougher texture than it did last year. Deep ruby/purple to the rim, with a fragrant bouquet of plums, figs, hot rocks, and tobacco smoke, this medium-bodied claret possesses outstanding concentration and purity...Anticipated maturity: 2010-2025+." Robert Parker, Wine Advocate #158 (Apr 2005)
1 dozen bottles per lot
Haut Brion, meaning "high mound of grave," enjoys the oldest reputation in print of any wine in Bordeaux. Its most prominent early owner was Jean de Pontac (1488-1589), who built the Cheau, became the richest man in Bordeaux, and lived an extradordinary 101 years. The name of the Pontac family was often attached to the wine, and in 1666 Jean's great-great grandson, Francoise-Auguste, opened a tavern in London called "The Sign of Pontac's Head," where "Pontac" was sold for three times the price of any other wine. The fashionable tavern lasted for over a century.
The wine of Haut Brion was first sold at Christie's under the name of "Pontac" on April 6, 1778, consigned from the cellars of the Marquis de Noailles. Nine years later the American Ambassador to France, Thomas Jefferson, travelled to Bordeaux and as history has recorded was unsuccessful in his attempt to purchase a barrique of the 1784 vintage. He had to settle for two cases of fifty bottles each and was known to enjoy and promote the wines of Haut Brion to his friends and colleagues back in a nascent America.
Although fine wines were made in the 1920s the estate's renaissance is widely recognized to begin with the 1945 vintage, crafted by the senior Dillon-Delmas team. Clarence Dillon's granddaughter Joan began representing the property on behalf of the family when she moved to France in 1955. She became President of Domaine Clarence Dillon in 1974. After the death of her first husband, Prince Charles of Luxemburg, Princesse Joan married Philippe de Noailles, Duc de Muchy, and in 1978 asked him to become an active Director of the company. Since then, the Duc and Duchesse de Mouchy have shared the most important decisions regarding the management of the Domaine.
Haut Brion, the wine, has an illustrious reputation for its richness and suaveté and is generally comprised of 55 Cabernet Sauvignon, 25 Merlot and 20 Cabernet Franc. Haut Brion is not just geographically distant from its First Growth peers, for it is widely recognized as singular in style and grace.
Château Haut-Brion--Vintage 2003
Pessac (Graves), 1er cru classé
All lots in original wooden cases
Parcel: lots aaa-eee
"There are only 10,000 cases of this 2003 (12.85 alcohol, high for this estate). A blend of 58 Merlot, 31 Cabernet Sauvignon, and 11 Cabernet Franc, it reveals more tannin and a tougher texture than it did last year. Deep ruby/purple to the rim, with a fragrant bouquet of plums, figs, hot rocks, and tobacco smoke, this medium-bodied claret possesses outstanding concentration and purity...Anticipated maturity: 2010-2025+." Robert Parker, Wine Advocate #158 (Apr 2005)
1 dozen bottles per lot
Special notice
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