Tag: Vintage

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

2002 Vintage Champagne (James Bond understood the importance of vintage when it came to Champagne)

When thugs drag off Honey Ryder in 1962’s Dr. No, he brandishes a bottle to defend her. Warned by the title character that he’s grabbed a Dom Pérignon 1955 and “it would be a pity to waste it,” 007 coolly counters “I prefer the ’53 myself.”

Even under duress, it’s important to keep your vintages straight. The best come from those years when already glamorous Champagnes reach their zenith of seduction. The year 2002 is one of those. We are now enjoying the fruits of the foremost vintage since 1996. This trio of 2002s, each with its own personality, would certainly fit in with Bond’s lofty preferences: Moët & Chandon’s Brut Champagne Cuvée Dom Pérignon 2002 (Wine Spectator-rated 95, $160), Piper-Heidsieck’s Brut Champagne Rare 2002 (95, $275) and Bollinger’s Brut Rosé Champagne La Grande Année 2002 (94, $230).

The Dom Pérignon comes swathed in haute couture. It’s all about elegance and attention to detail, with its smoky richness and fine-grained texture. And that’s only a backdrop for the layers of biscuit, candied lemon peel, coffee liqueur, chamomile, pine and crystallized honey to come. Choosing roughly equal parts Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from grand cru vineyards, DP’s chef de cave Richard Geoffroy took full advantage of the flavor maturity in the ripe grapes and the powerful profile of the vintage.

The classy Piper-Heidsieck Rare is a mosaic of textures. It shows red berry and graphite flavors and a firm structure, with honey, toast and seashore notes. Silkiness completes the picture. While the grape blend is dominated by Pinot Noir (70 percent), chef de cave Régis Camus stresses the importance of Chardonnay (30 percent) sourced from specific crus when it comes to elaborating a Rare vintage. “Our quest is always for Chardonnays [that] are mineral in style.”

With its deep rose hue the Bollinger is dressed up to celebrate. With a sense of balance and seamless integration, the wine delivers juicy fruit flavors of ripe black cherry, pomegranate and cassis that are fresh and vibrant. The finish is long and lightly spiced. Bollinger ferments the base wines in neutral oak barrels, adding 7 to 8 percent red Pinot Noir from its tiny La Côte aux Enfants vineyard located behind the firm’s offices. It’s aged on the lees a minimum of six years.

You needn’t wait until your dining with a super villain, however. Popping the cork on any one of these Champagnes from the glorious 2002 vintage is sure to enhance any situation. But even Bond would find it difficult choosing just one.

Cigar Aficionado