1 dozen bottles per lot
Details
The Immaculate Collection: Property from a Mid-Western Connoisseur
The Baron of Birmingham, as he is locally known, was bit by the wine bug early and has spent the last 30 years building a wine collection that is a totem of excellence. The Baron sourced the wines in his palatial cellar from Christie's, Sotheby's and Zachy's over the past 30 years. Plowing through palates, we were wine archeologists, unearthing treasures buried in the icy conditions of the cellar and the settlement of dust that had accumulated in the years the wines had rested, undisturbed by human hands. We found a bountiful booty of claret, from every vintage one could covet: 1945, 1959, 1961, 1982, 1990 and 2000. Highlights here obviously include a solid case of 1945 Lafite, but every lot is a highlight in its own right. Also featured are a few choice lots of Domaine Romanee Conti and Rousseau.
In an effort to boast of the wines' provenance, samples of 1959 Latour, 1961 Lynch Bages, 1982 Léoville las Cases and 1982 Mouton were produced and tasted in a roundtable format of Christie's specialists and experts. While parlor room arguments over tasting profiles occurred, we could all fervently agree that the condition of the wines was impeccable. The 1961 Lynch Bages was opened first. Classic claret at the height of his maturity, but still vigorous with beef bouillon, raspberries, sweat lead pencil and a hint of menthol. There was a focus to the wine and a long length; what a pleasure to enjoy this wine at its drinking peak. Latour from 1959 followed. This was immediately exotic and singular, with a brilliance that defied its age. Five spice, clove, cinnamon and orange peel complimented the black fruit profile. A lush mouth feel and tannins that can only be described as velvety gave way to a length that continued on and on. Despite the age, this wine still has legs strong enough to propel it for decades more. It was tough to tear away from the glass of Latour, but two titans from 82 waited: Léoville Las Cases and Mouton. The Mouton was everything you would expect: opulent, voluptuous and flamboyant. Black ripe fruit and typical Cabernet notes of cassis and lead pencil. This is obviously still in the flush of preening adolescence and we all looked forward to its eventual, though distant, evolution towards maturity. The Léoville las Case was a monster of black cedar, dark plums with striking acidity and grippy tannins. The tarry and black fruit profile was elevated by pleasing notes of purple flowers. This, like the Mouton, was still so young, over 25 years after harvest. Four outstanding, singular, special wines in pristine condition-we all raised a glass to the Baron's prodigious efforts to amass such a cache!
Having tasted these wines, we are pleased to offer this extraordinary collection with even more confidence in their condition and provenance. In addition to the treasure in this sale, there are incredible trophies featured in our upcoming December 5 sale of Fine and Rare Wines including 1905 and 1914 Lafite!
Wines were sourced from Sotheby's, Christie's and Zachy's or purchased on release from reputable merchants. All were stored in pristine home storage at a constant 50 degrees and 70 percent humidity.
Amanda Crawford
Château Cheval-Blanc--Vintage 1982
Saint-Emilion, 1er grand cru classé (A)
Levels: bottom neck or better; five stained labels, two nicked capsules
In original wooden case, replaced lid
"A gorgeously sweet entry displays flavors of caramel, roasted coffee, jammy red and black fruits, coconut, and smoke. It is fat and full-bodied, with considerable tannin, structure, and muscle in the finish. Flamboyantly rich and precocious early in life, it is going through an awkward stage where the tannin is present, but it is also sexy, juicy, and formidably-structured." Robert Parker, Wine Advocate #129 (Jun 2000)
1 dozen bottles per lot
The Baron of Birmingham, as he is locally known, was bit by the wine bug early and has spent the last 30 years building a wine collection that is a totem of excellence. The Baron sourced the wines in his palatial cellar from Christie's, Sotheby's and Zachy's over the past 30 years. Plowing through palates, we were wine archeologists, unearthing treasures buried in the icy conditions of the cellar and the settlement of dust that had accumulated in the years the wines had rested, undisturbed by human hands. We found a bountiful booty of claret, from every vintage one could covet: 1945, 1959, 1961, 1982, 1990 and 2000. Highlights here obviously include a solid case of 1945 Lafite, but every lot is a highlight in its own right. Also featured are a few choice lots of Domaine Romanee Conti and Rousseau.
In an effort to boast of the wines' provenance, samples of 1959 Latour, 1961 Lynch Bages, 1982 Léoville las Cases and 1982 Mouton were produced and tasted in a roundtable format of Christie's specialists and experts. While parlor room arguments over tasting profiles occurred, we could all fervently agree that the condition of the wines was impeccable. The 1961 Lynch Bages was opened first. Classic claret at the height of his maturity, but still vigorous with beef bouillon, raspberries, sweat lead pencil and a hint of menthol. There was a focus to the wine and a long length; what a pleasure to enjoy this wine at its drinking peak. Latour from 1959 followed. This was immediately exotic and singular, with a brilliance that defied its age. Five spice, clove, cinnamon and orange peel complimented the black fruit profile. A lush mouth feel and tannins that can only be described as velvety gave way to a length that continued on and on. Despite the age, this wine still has legs strong enough to propel it for decades more. It was tough to tear away from the glass of Latour, but two titans from 82 waited: Léoville Las Cases and Mouton. The Mouton was everything you would expect: opulent, voluptuous and flamboyant. Black ripe fruit and typical Cabernet notes of cassis and lead pencil. This is obviously still in the flush of preening adolescence and we all looked forward to its eventual, though distant, evolution towards maturity. The Léoville las Case was a monster of black cedar, dark plums with striking acidity and grippy tannins. The tarry and black fruit profile was elevated by pleasing notes of purple flowers. This, like the Mouton, was still so young, over 25 years after harvest. Four outstanding, singular, special wines in pristine condition-we all raised a glass to the Baron's prodigious efforts to amass such a cache!
Having tasted these wines, we are pleased to offer this extraordinary collection with even more confidence in their condition and provenance. In addition to the treasure in this sale, there are incredible trophies featured in our upcoming December 5 sale of Fine and Rare Wines including 1905 and 1914 Lafite!
Wines were sourced from Sotheby's, Christie's and Zachy's or purchased on release from reputable merchants. All were stored in pristine home storage at a constant 50 degrees and 70 percent humidity.
Amanda Crawford
Château Cheval-Blanc--Vintage 1982
Saint-Emilion, 1er grand cru classé (A)
Levels: bottom neck or better; five stained labels, two nicked capsules
In original wooden case, replaced lid
"A gorgeously sweet entry displays flavors of caramel, roasted coffee, jammy red and black fruits, coconut, and smoke. It is fat and full-bodied, with considerable tannin, structure, and muscle in the finish. Flamboyantly rich and precocious early in life, it is going through an awkward stage where the tannin is present, but it is also sexy, juicy, and formidably-structured." Robert Parker, Wine Advocate #129 (Jun 2000)
1 dozen bottles per lot