1 dozen bottles per lot
Details
IMMACULATE BORDEAUX FROM A PASSIONATE COLLECTOR
Our introductory consignment is a treasure trove of pristine Bordeaux in vintages spanning 1982 through the famed 2005. The stars are here in multitudes, from the First Growths through the super seconds and thirds in vintages to hold or to keep. This collection was lovingly assembled over the course of twenty years by a passionate and expert oenophile that purchased only from the most reputable retailers. A steadfast and loyal patron of the vinous saints, our consignor purchased producers he loved in every vintage, whether lauded or overlooked. Thus a wide swath of well cellared claret awaits the lucky buyer here, ranging from a fantastic case of 1982 Lafite to wines like 1991 Le Pin, and '94s and '97s from the best of Bordeaux. These represent fantastic drinking opportunities for lovers of aged wine. California wines from Inglenook and BV, an interesting vertical of d'Yquem and a mixed lot of Cristal round out this fantastic collection.
All wines were purchased on or near release and removed from an impressive temperature and humidity controlled cellar by a team of Christie's specialists for this sale.
Lots 1-80
CHÂTEAU LATOUR
Château Latour manages to achieve a rare stylistic balance, in that its wines are internationally known for both their elegance and purity of linear fruit flavor, and for their power, muscularity and heroic longevity. Few wines age with such consummate grace as those of Château Latour. These wines are highly tannic in youth, and are famously distinctive in the way they mature slowly, and on their own terms; stubbornly refusing to succumb to the effects of the natural passing of time. The other great hallmark of Latour is its consistency - the wines are consistently impressive, irrespective of whether the vintage is great, mediocre or even slightly disappointing.
The 47 hectares which surround the Château are called "l'Enclos". Only the grapes from these 47 hectares make it into the "Grand Vin de Château Latour". The soils vary from clayey gravel on a subsoil of marly sediment, gravelly sands with small pebbles and marly clay which suits Merlot. All the soils are characterized by excellent drainage which encourages the vines to develop deep roots in search of nutrients and water.
Frédéric Engerer, the President, along with the vineyard manager, Domingo Sanchez and the cellar-master, Pierre-Henri Chabot have ensured that grape selection is paramount, and only grapes from vines that are at least 25 years old are allowed into the Grand Vin. Hand-harvesting and a first sorting are carried out by 200 pickers, before being transported to the winery for the second round of sorting and destemming. The winery contains 66 temperature controlled stainless steel vats which enables the separate vinification of different plots. By December the wine is in new oak barrels, where it remains for about 18 months with rackings about every three months. Blending is completed by March the following year, with fining with egg white, but since 1999 there is no filtration and the wine is returned to vat for a month prior to bottling.
As Stephen Brook writes in "The Complete Bordeaux"; "No other Médoc wine can match Latour for power, depth of flavour, and grandeur."
Château Latour--Vintage 1983
Pauillac, 1er cru classé
Levels: bottom neck or better; tissue wrapped prior to inspection
In original wooden case
1 dozen bottles per lot
Our introductory consignment is a treasure trove of pristine Bordeaux in vintages spanning 1982 through the famed 2005. The stars are here in multitudes, from the First Growths through the super seconds and thirds in vintages to hold or to keep. This collection was lovingly assembled over the course of twenty years by a passionate and expert oenophile that purchased only from the most reputable retailers. A steadfast and loyal patron of the vinous saints, our consignor purchased producers he loved in every vintage, whether lauded or overlooked. Thus a wide swath of well cellared claret awaits the lucky buyer here, ranging from a fantastic case of 1982 Lafite to wines like 1991 Le Pin, and '94s and '97s from the best of Bordeaux. These represent fantastic drinking opportunities for lovers of aged wine. California wines from Inglenook and BV, an interesting vertical of d'Yquem and a mixed lot of Cristal round out this fantastic collection.
All wines were purchased on or near release and removed from an impressive temperature and humidity controlled cellar by a team of Christie's specialists for this sale.
Lots 1-80
CHÂTEAU LATOUR
Château Latour manages to achieve a rare stylistic balance, in that its wines are internationally known for both their elegance and purity of linear fruit flavor, and for their power, muscularity and heroic longevity. Few wines age with such consummate grace as those of Château Latour. These wines are highly tannic in youth, and are famously distinctive in the way they mature slowly, and on their own terms; stubbornly refusing to succumb to the effects of the natural passing of time. The other great hallmark of Latour is its consistency - the wines are consistently impressive, irrespective of whether the vintage is great, mediocre or even slightly disappointing.
The 47 hectares which surround the Château are called "l'Enclos". Only the grapes from these 47 hectares make it into the "Grand Vin de Château Latour". The soils vary from clayey gravel on a subsoil of marly sediment, gravelly sands with small pebbles and marly clay which suits Merlot. All the soils are characterized by excellent drainage which encourages the vines to develop deep roots in search of nutrients and water.
Frédéric Engerer, the President, along with the vineyard manager, Domingo Sanchez and the cellar-master, Pierre-Henri Chabot have ensured that grape selection is paramount, and only grapes from vines that are at least 25 years old are allowed into the Grand Vin. Hand-harvesting and a first sorting are carried out by 200 pickers, before being transported to the winery for the second round of sorting and destemming. The winery contains 66 temperature controlled stainless steel vats which enables the separate vinification of different plots. By December the wine is in new oak barrels, where it remains for about 18 months with rackings about every three months. Blending is completed by March the following year, with fining with egg white, but since 1999 there is no filtration and the wine is returned to vat for a month prior to bottling.
As Stephen Brook writes in "The Complete Bordeaux"; "No other Médoc wine can match Latour for power, depth of flavour, and grandeur."
Château Latour--Vintage 1983
Pauillac, 1er cru classé
Levels: bottom neck or better; tissue wrapped prior to inspection
In original wooden case
1 dozen bottles per lot