1 dozen bottles per lot
Details
SAINT ESTEPHE
St.-Estèphe is the northernmost of the four famous communes of the Médoc, a geographical distinction that has a profound effect on the wines produced there. At the mouth of the Gironde, there is considerably less gravel than there is farther up the river. Instead, the banks are comprised of a higher percentage of clay. Furthermore, the forest to the west of Bordeaux (which serves to protect the vineyards from the climactic vagaries of the Atlantic Ocean) is decreased in density in St.-Estèphe. Due to the soil composition, water drains more slowly from vineyards owned by châteaux such as Montrose, Calon-Ségur and Cos d'Estournel, making them fine "dry-summer wines," since the soil retains moisture so well. The best of these wines are known for their ageability. In fact, some of them are considered undrinkable in their youth. The wines offered here today present an opportunity to taste some wines from St.-Estèphe at full maturity: nearly 80 years after bottling!
Château Calon-Ségur--Vintage 1947
Saint-Estèphe, 3me cru classé
Lot 496 levels: four into neck and two bottom neck; lightly bin soiled labels. Lot 497 levels: five into neck, five bottom neck and two top shoulder; dusty labels, Bordeaux bottled, Danish slip labels
Lot 496 in original wooden case
"First tasted in 1954 and on Saccone & Speed's retail list, Château-bottled, at 16 shillings (80p) a bottle. Not cheap at the time. But it was a 'lovely big wine'. Several notes, including an excellent Danish-bottling and, rather curiously, six consistently good bottles through the 1990s. Now fully mature; lovely bouquet and flavour. Still surprisingly tannic but otherwise perfect. Last noted at a Grands Crus dinner at Christie's, Sept 1997*****" MB, Vintage Wine
1 dozen bottles per lot
St.-Estèphe is the northernmost of the four famous communes of the Médoc, a geographical distinction that has a profound effect on the wines produced there. At the mouth of the Gironde, there is considerably less gravel than there is farther up the river. Instead, the banks are comprised of a higher percentage of clay. Furthermore, the forest to the west of Bordeaux (which serves to protect the vineyards from the climactic vagaries of the Atlantic Ocean) is decreased in density in St.-Estèphe. Due to the soil composition, water drains more slowly from vineyards owned by châteaux such as Montrose, Calon-Ségur and Cos d'Estournel, making them fine "dry-summer wines," since the soil retains moisture so well. The best of these wines are known for their ageability. In fact, some of them are considered undrinkable in their youth. The wines offered here today present an opportunity to taste some wines from St.-Estèphe at full maturity: nearly 80 years after bottling!
Château Calon-Ségur--Vintage 1947
Saint-Estèphe, 3me cru classé
Lot 496 levels: four into neck and two bottom neck; lightly bin soiled labels. Lot 497 levels: five into neck, five bottom neck and two top shoulder; dusty labels, Bordeaux bottled, Danish slip labels
Lot 496 in original wooden case
"First tasted in 1954 and on Saccone & Speed's retail list, Château-bottled, at 16 shillings (80p) a bottle. Not cheap at the time. But it was a 'lovely big wine'. Several notes, including an excellent Danish-bottling and, rather curiously, six consistently good bottles through the 1990s. Now fully mature; lovely bouquet and flavour. Still surprisingly tannic but otherwise perfect. Last noted at a Grands Crus dinner at Christie's, Sept 1997*****" MB, Vintage Wine
1 dozen bottles per lot