Details
LATOUR 1961 FROM THE GOVERNMENT HOSPITALITY CELLAR
The establishment of the former Government Hospitality Fund in 1908 to provide hospitality for high-level overseas government guests led eventually to the requirement to create a government wine cellar. Located in the basement of Lancaster House for many years, the Government Hospitality wine cellar is an exemplar of professional cellar management over many decades. Wines are bought young and held in the cellar in ideal conditions, so that they can be used when fully mature.
The cellar has been maintained on traditional lines, with a great depth of quality of French wines, notably Bordeaux and Burgundy. The selection of wines for the cellar is carried out on the recommendation of the Government Hospitality Wine Committee. The Chairman and the four Masters of Wine members of the Committee make their selections for purchases based on blind tastings. Wines are then occasionally reviewed throughout their life to determine quality, longevity, and readiness for drinking.
Today Government Hospitality still manages in excess of 200 events per year for all government departments and ministers, from the Prime Minister down.
This lot has been removed directly from the Government Hospitality cellars at Lancaster House, London, where it was stored since original purchase from a top UK merchant. To preserve the exceptional provenance each bottle has been given a numbered Prooftag Bubble Seal affixed by Christie's to the neck of the bottle. Packed in a Christie's carton.
Now lying in Corsham, Wiltshire (Octavian)
Château Latour 1961
Pauillac, 1er cru classé
Purchased in 1967 from Justerini & Brooks. Not in original case. One slightly corroded capsule. Bin-soiled labels. Levels top-shoulder or better
6 bottles per lot
The establishment of the former Government Hospitality Fund in 1908 to provide hospitality for high-level overseas government guests led eventually to the requirement to create a government wine cellar. Located in the basement of Lancaster House for many years, the Government Hospitality wine cellar is an exemplar of professional cellar management over many decades. Wines are bought young and held in the cellar in ideal conditions, so that they can be used when fully mature.
The cellar has been maintained on traditional lines, with a great depth of quality of French wines, notably Bordeaux and Burgundy. The selection of wines for the cellar is carried out on the recommendation of the Government Hospitality Wine Committee. The Chairman and the four Masters of Wine members of the Committee make their selections for purchases based on blind tastings. Wines are then occasionally reviewed throughout their life to determine quality, longevity, and readiness for drinking.
Today Government Hospitality still manages in excess of 200 events per year for all government departments and ministers, from the Prime Minister down.
This lot has been removed directly from the Government Hospitality cellars at Lancaster House, London, where it was stored since original purchase from a top UK merchant. To preserve the exceptional provenance each bottle has been given a numbered Prooftag Bubble Seal affixed by Christie's to the neck of the bottle. Packed in a Christie's carton.
Now lying in Corsham, Wiltshire (Octavian)
Château Latour 1961
Pauillac, 1er cru classé
Purchased in 1967 from Justerini & Brooks. Not in original case. One slightly corroded capsule. Bin-soiled labels. Levels top-shoulder or better
6 bottles per lot
Special notice
VAT rate of 20% is payable on hammer price and buyer's premium
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Carolyn Holmes