First Global Wine Auction of 2012: January 14 – Sotheby’s Hong Kong

This global wine auction will start 2012 off with some of the finest and rarest wines assembled including the Bordeaux Winebank Collection. Some other highlights include over 200 cases of investment-grade Bordeaux from the Bordeaux Winebank Collection, Super Second Bordeaux of exceptional quality and value, great Burgundy from Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, historic Champagne direct from the cellars of Veuve Clicquot, as well as a selection of rare California Cult Wines.

The most valuable lot is a case of Romanée-Conti 1990 estimated at HK$1 – 1.5 million / US$130,000 – $190,000*. Overall 982 lots are estimated to fetch HK$50 – 70 million / US$6.2 – 8.7 million.

Serena Sutcliffe, MW, Worldwide Head of Sotheby’s Wine Department said: “We are excited to begin 2012 with another fabulous selection from Bordeaux Winebank. It goes without saying that these classic classed growths from this Collection are in superlative condition. Every time we have shown bottles from this source, the reaction of tasters has been nothing short of ecstatic, as the wines have shown so beautifully and so youthfully – the last occasion was with the 2000s, which were bursting with health and flavour. I could certainly envisage a 50th anniversary tasting for these 2000s and, perhaps even more, the 2005s, but unfortunately I know that I shall only be there in spirit!

Champagne connoisseurs will be impressed by the offering of three rare lots of historic vintage Veuve Clicquot, all direct from the cellars in Reims. The extraordinary vintages of: 1921, 1929 and 1947 are wines of enormous intensity and length of flavour, with all the black grape vinosity for which Veuve Clicquot is renowned. These are true rarities.

AUCTION HIGHLIGHTS

Top Classified Bordeaux from the Bordeaux Winebank Collection:
Following the success of the previous offerings from the Bordeaux Winebank Collection, this sale will offer over 200 cases shipped direct from Bordeaux. An impressive selection of the First Growths, along with their equivalents on the Right Bank like Pétrus, Ausone and Cheval Blanc plus Yquem will be featured, showcasing the best vintages such as 1996, 2000, 2003 and 2005. As ever from this source all the wines come with the guarantee of “Five Star Provenance” – a patented system that ensures the authenticity and perfect condition of all the wines.

Highlights from Bordeaux Winebank Collection include:
Château Margaux 2005 Est. HK$70,000 – $100,000 / US$9,000 – $13,000 per case
Château Haut-Brion 2005 Est. HK$65,000 – $85,000 / US$8,500 – $11,000 per case
Château Mouton Rothschild 2005 Est. HK$60,000 – $80,000 / US$7,500 – $10,000 per case
Château Pétrus 2005 Est. HK$340,000 – $480,000 / US$42,500 – $60,000 per case
Château d’Yquem 2001 Est. HK$44,000 – $65,000 / US$5,500 – $8,000 per case

“Super Second” Bordeaux:
Together with First Growth Bordeaux, there is also a wonderful selection of “Super Seconds” that are comparable to the Premier Crus in terms of quality and consistency, thereby offering a built-in advantage of exceptional value.
Château Montrose 2003 Est. HK$14,000 – $19,000 / US$1,800 – $2,500 per case
Château Cos d’Estournel 2005 Est. HK$14,000 – $19,000 / US$1,800 – $2,500 per case
Château Pichon Longueville, Lalande 2000 Est. HK$9,000 – $12,000 / US$1,200 – $1,600 per case
Château Pichon Longueville, Baron 1995 Est. HK$6,000 – $9,000 / US$750- $1,200 per case

Blue-Chip Red Burgundy From Domaine De La Romanée-Conti:
Romanée Conti 1990, Domaine de la Romanée Conti Est. HK$1 – 1.5 million / US$130,000 – 190,000 per case
Romanée Conti 1988, Domaine de la Romanée Conti Est. HK$750,000 – 1 million / US$95,000 – 130,000 per case

Historic Vintage Veuve Clicquot Direct ) From The Cellars:
Leading the Champagne section are three magnums of 1921, 1929 and 1947, direct from Veuve Clicquot’s cellars in Reims. It is extremely rare to find these old vintages at auction making this an historic offering.

Veuve Clicquot, Brut 1921 (Magnum) Est. HK$36,000 – $60,000 / US$5,000 – $7,500
Veuve Clicquot, Brut 1929 (Magnum) Est. HK$36,000 – $60,000 / US$5,000 – $7,500
Veuve Clicquot, Brut 1947 (Magnum) Est. HK$36,000 – $60,000 / US$5,000 – $7,500

The Largest Selection of US Cult Wines Offered At Sotheby’s Hong Kong:

Sotheby’s will bring to market an impressive range of California cult wines – wines that are highly sought after by wine connoisseurs because of their extraordinary rarity, prestige and exceptional quality, to cater to the diversifying tastes of wine collectors in Asia.
Harlan Estate 1996 Est. HK$40,000 – $55,000 / US$5,000 – $7,000 per case
Harlan Estate 2002 Est. HK$55,000 – $70,000 / US$7,000 – $9,000 per case
Screaming Eagle, Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 Est. HK$15,000 – $19,000 / US$1,900 – $2,500 per bottle
Screaming Eagle, Cabernet Sauvignon 1999 Est. HK$24,000 – $34,000 / US $3,000 -$4,500 per 3 bottles

Grand Vintage 2002 Moet & Chandon is the pour for The 69th Annual Golden Globes January 15, 2012

MOET & CHANDON (L-R) Sofia Vergara, Gerard Butler, Rashida Jones, and Ludovic du Plessis, Vice President of Moet & Chandon

For over 260 years, Moet & Chandon has been the symbol of glamorous celebrations, turning the ordinary into the extraordinary with the pop of a cork. Moet has been the champagne of cinema since the early days of Hollywood, supporting several hundred films since the 1930s, ranging from small productions to international blockbusters including iconic films such as Love in the Afternoon, The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie, Pretty Woman, Titanic, Ocean’s 12, Nine, Up in the Air, and more recently Sex and the City 2 and Wall Street 2. In the same way legendary film directors preserve timeless moments on film, Moet & Chandon continues to showcase its legendary love affair with the magic of movies.

Celebrities including George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Meryl Streep are expected to be among the 1500 guests celebrating the big event at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 15.

“More than 1,000 mini bottles and 500 magnums of Grand Vintage 2002 Moet & Chandon Champagne, with more than 9,000 glasses will be served on the red carpet, and inside the ballroom,” said the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the non-profit organization behind the awards.

The Grand Vintage 2002 sells at $83 a bottle in the United States, has been praised by Moet & Chandon Chef de Cave Benoit Gouez: “Moet & Chandon Grand Vintage 2002 comes from an exceptional year, certainly the best vintage in Champagne since 95-96. The climate has been perfect.”

Clicquot in the Sky: Chicago House Champagne Benefit January 26th 2012

Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin is both a Champagne house in Reims, France, and a brand of premium Champagne. Founded in 1772 by Philippe Clicquot-Muiron, Veuve Clicquot played an important role in establishing Champagne as a favored drink of haute bourgeoisie and nobility throughout Europe.

Notorious for its history of innovation Veuve Clicquot has become known as the Champagne House with cutting edge ideas.

Each year Chicago House hosts a Veuve Clicquot benefit at a different venue. This year the event reaches new heights. On the 99th floor of the SkyDeck, Willis Tower bubbly drinks await you!

Artists from around the city present their various interpretations of Clicquot and a fantastic silent auction keeps everyone bidding throughout the evening as the Veuve flows.

Date: Thursday, January 26, 2012

Time: 6:00 pm

Where: The SkyDeck, Willis Tower
233 South Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL

Contact: Michael Herman
mherman@chicagohouse.org
Phone – 773.248.5200 x 303

Champagne de Venoge receives top scores from Wine Spectator for 5 newly released Champagnes

Champagne de Venoge received top scores from Wine Spectator for five newly released Champagnes that are currently available for purchase:

• Brut Champagne Louis XV 1996 – 93 points

• Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne 2002 – 93 points

• Extra Brut Rosé Champagne Louis XV 2002 – 93 points

• Extra Brut Cuvee 20 ans Champagne 1983 – 92 points, and

• Extra Brut Champagne Cordon Bleu NV – 91 points

Champagne de Venoge was also selected among the “100 Best Champagnes for 2011” in Fine Champagne Magazine. Essi Avellan, Master of Wine, conducted an extensive review of Champagnes in this magazine and Champagne de Venoge got the 14th position among the Top 100 as well as the 3rd position for vintage Champagne and number 7 for rose Champagne.

Among this list, Champagne Louis XV 1996 has already received international acclaims since the release of this prestigious cuvee. After spending more than 10 years in de Venoge’s cellars in Epernay, this 1996 vintage is now on sale with a beautiful packaging and its famous «carafe» bottle.

About Champagne de Venoge
For more than 170 years, Champagne de Venoge has earned itself a privileged place in the heart of the vineyards of Champagne. Ambassador for exceptional wines of Champagne, de Venoge is first of all a family story in the constant quest for excellence. A Blue Ribbon has been the symbol of the nobility since the 16th century. In 1864, when de Venoge launched its “Cordon Bleu”, it became a mark of distinction and refinement. At the edge of the Champagne tradition in its most beautiful and noble form, de Venoge’s reputation also lies in the terroir, the rigorous selection of the best grapes in Champagne and the perpetuation of a unique style. The fine vinosity associated to the incomparable freshness brings to de Venoge’s Champagnes elegance and harmony – All this for the greatest pleasure of Champagne lovers!

Liz Palmer
@champagnehouses

Moet & Chandon toasts their ‘21st Anniversary’ as the Official Champagne of the 69th Annual Golden Globe® Awards with 2002 Grand Vintage Collection

Moet & Chandon is returning as the official Champagne of the 69th Annual Golden Globe® Awards, which is produced by Dick Clark Productions and in association with the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA). In a toast to its 21st year with the iconic awards ceremony, Moet & Chandon will introduce their award-winning 2002 Grand Vintage Champagne with a celebratory toast at this year’s Golden Globe Awards nominations announcement which will be lead by HFPA president, Dr. Aida Takla-O’Reilly and Ludovic du Plessis, vice president of Moet & Chandon USA.

“Moet & Chandon has celebrated the magic of cinema for nearly a century, and we look forward to continuing to host and toast cinema icons in its legendary spirit of success and glamour at the Golden Globes,” said Ludovic du Plessis, Vice President of Moet & Chandon USA.

The 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards will mark the first time that Moet & Chandon will serve Grand Vintage champagne from customized magnums created specifically for the occasion.

“Once again we’re happy to have Moet & Chandon on board with us as the official champagne of the Golden Globes®,” remarked Takla-O’Reilly. “This year marks a special year for us as our partnership enters its 21st year.”

Over 1,000 Moet & Chandon Imperial minis and 500 Grand Vintage 2002 magnums will be served on both the red carpet and inside the ballroom totalling over 9,000 glasses of Moet & Chandon enjoyed during one of Hollywood’s biggest nights.

Tasting Notes:

A blend of 51% Chardonnay, 26% Pinot Noir and 23% Pinot Meunier

A good white creamy mousse. Pale gold with very fine and persistent bead. The nose displays aromas of toasted brioche, yeast lees, citrus and some baked bread. Creamy in texture the palate exhibits refined flavours of toast, citrus, biscuit and yeast lees. Clean crisp finish with long aftertaste of toast, yeast lees and brioche.

Drink over the next 5-6 years (2016)

Alc 12.5%

The 2002 Grand Vintage Champagne has been awarded 93 points by Wine Spectator magazine in its recent issue.

Liz Palmer
@champagnehouses