1 bottle per lot
Details
CHATEAU D'YQUEM
Yquem came into the Lur-Saluces family by marriage in 1785. This illustrious estate remained under family control until 1996 when family share holders sold their majority to LVMH. The modern era of the estate was lead by the very capable Comte Alexandre de Lur-Saluces who's astute management over saw many of the last century's greatest Yquem vintages, 1967, 1971, 1976, 1983, 1986, 1988 and the now legendary 1990. Comte Alexandre was the 6th generation of the Lur-Saluces family to watch over this dynasty. The whole domaine encompasses the finest 465 acres in all of Sauternes to which just under 280 acres are planted exclusively to Sémillon and Sauvignon. The exceptional quality of the wine can be attributed to several factors: First, the very nature of the soil which, lying often on clay, has to be well drained; in part to the admirable way the estate's slopes are exposed, especially the very severe way the grapes are selected; and of course to the meticulous care taken in cultivating the vines, picking the grapes and making the wine. Only that part of the crop judged to be perfect is bottled under the Château Grand Vin label and in some years the entire crop is declassified, as it was in 1964, 1972, 1974, and 1992. It is this constant attention to detail and the very great care taken to make sure the wine is of top quality which enabled Yquem, in the 1855 Classification, to be the sole château given the title Premier Cru Supérieur.
RARELY SEEN VINTAGES OF NINETEENTH CENTURY CHATEAU D'YQUEM
Many of the following lots were purchased from A Unique Collection of Fifty Nineteenth Century Vintages of Château d'Yquem by Christen Sveaas at Christie's London, 9 October 1997. In that catalogue the provenance states, "The following bottles have all come from a superb family cellar, and have been passed to the present owner through inheritance. They represent an unprecedented collection of vintages from the nineteenth century, all being in outstanding condition and impeccable provenance." That sale included many of the nineteenth century bottles below (the original sale was a near complete vertical of 56 lots, Vintages 1811-1921). Each lot belonging to the 1997 sale below will note its prior lot number for additional reference. Bottles such as these rarely appear at auction with this kind of provenance history.
Additionally noted in the London sale: Great care had been taken by the previous owner in having them systematically checked and recorked by the Château over a period of years, and they all therefore come with an excellent seal of approval.
Château d'Yquem--Vintage 1811
Sauternes, 1er grand cru classé
Level: very top shoulder; recorked by the château in 1997, slightly dusty label
1 bottle per lot
Yquem came into the Lur-Saluces family by marriage in 1785. This illustrious estate remained under family control until 1996 when family share holders sold their majority to LVMH. The modern era of the estate was lead by the very capable Comte Alexandre de Lur-Saluces who's astute management over saw many of the last century's greatest Yquem vintages, 1967, 1971, 1976, 1983, 1986, 1988 and the now legendary 1990. Comte Alexandre was the 6th generation of the Lur-Saluces family to watch over this dynasty. The whole domaine encompasses the finest 465 acres in all of Sauternes to which just under 280 acres are planted exclusively to Sémillon and Sauvignon. The exceptional quality of the wine can be attributed to several factors: First, the very nature of the soil which, lying often on clay, has to be well drained; in part to the admirable way the estate's slopes are exposed, especially the very severe way the grapes are selected; and of course to the meticulous care taken in cultivating the vines, picking the grapes and making the wine. Only that part of the crop judged to be perfect is bottled under the Château Grand Vin label and in some years the entire crop is declassified, as it was in 1964, 1972, 1974, and 1992. It is this constant attention to detail and the very great care taken to make sure the wine is of top quality which enabled Yquem, in the 1855 Classification, to be the sole château given the title Premier Cru Supérieur.
RARELY SEEN VINTAGES OF NINETEENTH CENTURY CHATEAU D'YQUEM
Many of the following lots were purchased from A Unique Collection of Fifty Nineteenth Century Vintages of Château d'Yquem by Christen Sveaas at Christie's London, 9 October 1997. In that catalogue the provenance states, "The following bottles have all come from a superb family cellar, and have been passed to the present owner through inheritance. They represent an unprecedented collection of vintages from the nineteenth century, all being in outstanding condition and impeccable provenance." That sale included many of the nineteenth century bottles below (the original sale was a near complete vertical of 56 lots, Vintages 1811-1921). Each lot belonging to the 1997 sale below will note its prior lot number for additional reference. Bottles such as these rarely appear at auction with this kind of provenance history.
Additionally noted in the London sale: Great care had been taken by the previous owner in having them systematically checked and recorked by the Château over a period of years, and they all therefore come with an excellent seal of approval.
Château d'Yquem--Vintage 1811
Sauternes, 1er grand cru classé
Level: very top shoulder; recorked by the château in 1997, slightly dusty label
1 bottle per lot
Provenance
Christie's London: Sale 5860, 9 October 1997, lot 385