Château Lafite 1953 (10 BT)

Château Lafite 1953

Pauillac, 1er Cru Classé

u. 1vts, 1ts, 1t/hs, 3hs, 1h/ms, 1ms, 2m/ls, 5 labels very slightly damp soiled of which 1 slightly damaged, 5 with good appearance, 8 capsules slightly corroded on top, 1 corroded, 1 badly with signs of old seepage, straw wrapped, owc woodworm affected and heat treated for the purpose of this sale

I have had many perfectly delicious bottles of this, with textbook Lafite beauty and harmony, delicacy of flavour and the true trademark long finish. It is getting older, of course, and my last bottle in 2009 was all sweetness and cinnamon, but beginning to dry up. As usual, with wines of this age, every bottle is different, enhanced by the variation in provenance, as one would expect. Serena Sutcliffe, MW

WA 99

10 bts (owc)

Provenance:

THE COINTREAU COLLECTION: All the wines were purchased through established wine merchants, the majority being packed in original wooden cases which were opened for the first time by Sotheby's Specialists. These wines have been stored in a deep underground cellar with natural constant temperature and humidity. The rare selection of First Growths from the legendary 1952, 1953 and 1955 vintages were purchased at Quien & Cie en primeur. Packed in their original wooden cases with a few traces of woodworm, the cases were heat treated for this sale.

LYING IN GREENFORD, MIDDLESEX

Offered Duty Paid only

Please note the purchase price does not include applicable shipping, taxes or import charges which may be charged in addition to the purchase price.

Standard price shipping is available for deliveries to mainland England. Deliveries will be charged at £10 + VAT per case, subject to a minimum delivery charge of £30 + VAT. Price on application quotes are available for all other UK addresses. Pricing for international shipping available from Sotheby's Wine department on request, please contact: Tim.Sunerton@sothebys.com.

Sotheby’s cannot arrange or take responsibility for shipments to non-UK buyers, but will be pleased to introduce them to a forwarding agent. Where it is necessary to have a licence to import wines or spirits, procural of the licence shall be the sole responsibility of the buyer. Buyers from outside the UK should note that local sales taxes or use tax may become payable upon import of items following purchase. Buyers should obtain their own advice in this regards. Any duties and taxes payable on import to the country of destination are not included. The cost of any such permit or license required for export or import of the purchased lot is not included. UK purchasers wishing to export directly out of the UK will have to pay VAT on the Buyer’s Premium irrespective of the destination. If you are shipping to another EU member state, 20% VAT has been added to the Buyer’s Premium. Those amounts of VAT may be refunded provided Sotheby’s receive the appropriate export documents within 3 months of the sale.