6 bottles per lot
Details
Château Latour--Vintage 1996
Pauillac, 1er cru classé. Château-bottled
Vintage note: Though upstaged by the attractive '95s, this vintage is better than it was first made out to be, and improves greatly on acquaintance. Indeed, after looking through my notes, I think it is a seriously underrated vintage
First, the vital (growing) statistics: the occasional bouts of frost in February and March were too early to do any damage though the bud break was delayed until mid-April. The all important flowering was quick amd even, finished by the 20th day of a very hot June. It continued warm until August which started cool but ended with hot sun and cold nights. High expectations were initially dampened, pre-harvest rain affecting the early ripening Merlots which diluted and reduced the crop size in Pomerol and St-Emilion. The Médoc fared betterwith roughly half the rainfall, though towards the end of September, it rained again. The late-picked Cabernets were of high quality resulting in rich, fairly concentrated wines. This vintage is worth watching. ** to ****. Michael Broadbent, Vintage Wine
Tasting note: A spectacular Latour, the 1996 may be the modern day clone of the 1966, only riper. This vintage, which is so variable in Pomerol, St.-Emilion, and Graves, was fabulous for the late-harvested Cabernet Sauvignon of the northern Medoc because of splendid weather in late September and early October. An opaque purple color is followed by phenomenally sweet, pure aromas of cassis infused with subtle minerals. This massive offering possesses unreal levels of extract, full body, intensely ripe, but abundant tannin, and a finish that lasts for nearly a minute. Classic and dense, it displays the potential for 50-75 years of longevity. Although still an infant, it would be educational to taste a bottle. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2050. 99 points. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate #129, June 2000
6 bottles per lot
Pauillac, 1er cru classé. Château-bottled
Vintage note: Though upstaged by the attractive '95s, this vintage is better than it was first made out to be, and improves greatly on acquaintance. Indeed, after looking through my notes, I think it is a seriously underrated vintage
First, the vital (growing) statistics: the occasional bouts of frost in February and March were too early to do any damage though the bud break was delayed until mid-April. The all important flowering was quick amd even, finished by the 20th day of a very hot June. It continued warm until August which started cool but ended with hot sun and cold nights. High expectations were initially dampened, pre-harvest rain affecting the early ripening Merlots which diluted and reduced the crop size in Pomerol and St-Emilion. The Médoc fared betterwith roughly half the rainfall, though towards the end of September, it rained again. The late-picked Cabernets were of high quality resulting in rich, fairly concentrated wines. This vintage is worth watching. ** to ****. Michael Broadbent, Vintage Wine
Tasting note: A spectacular Latour, the 1996 may be the modern day clone of the 1966, only riper. This vintage, which is so variable in Pomerol, St.-Emilion, and Graves, was fabulous for the late-harvested Cabernet Sauvignon of the northern Medoc because of splendid weather in late September and early October. An opaque purple color is followed by phenomenally sweet, pure aromas of cassis infused with subtle minerals. This massive offering possesses unreal levels of extract, full body, intensely ripe, but abundant tannin, and a finish that lasts for nearly a minute. Classic and dense, it displays the potential for 50-75 years of longevity. Although still an infant, it would be educational to taste a bottle. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2050. 99 points. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate #129, June 2000
6 bottles per lot
Special notice
(Wine sales only). Christie's charges a Buyer's premium calculated at 17.850% of the hammer price for each lot with a value up to €150,000. If the hammer price of a lot exceeds €150,000 then the premium for the lot is calculated at 17.850% of the first €150,000 plus 11.9% of any amount in excess of €150,000. Buyer's Premium is calculated on this basis for each lot individually.