Ask the Experts, Specialists' Picks from the Finest and Rarest Wines Sale

Ask the Experts, Specialists' Picks from the Finest and Rarest Wines Sale

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  Lots 94-97: Mouton 2000

  Château Mouton Rothschild 2000, 6 bottles.
  Estimate £6,500–8,500.
  
  Château Mouton Rothschild 2000, 12 bottles.
  Estimate £13,000–17,000.
  
  Château Mouton Rothschild 2000, 1 magnum.
  Estimate £2,200–2,800.
  
  Château Lafite 2000, 12 bottles.
  Estimate £9,000–13,000.
  
  
  The millennium vintage and iconic presentation to match. Mouton went one step further this year with their beautifully engraved ‘Augsburg Ram’ bottle which will ensure this remains a collector's piece well into the future. The 2000 continues to evolve at snail's pace and merits decanting in the morning for it to shine over the dinner table.

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• 

  Lot 7: Petrus 1990

  Petrus 1990, 2 magnums.
  Estimate £9,000–12,000.
  
  Petrus 1983, 5 bottles.
  Estimate £5,800–7,500.
  
  Legendary Pomerol in large format. Collectors discourse at great length over which Petrus is the better wine - 1989 or 1990 - both of which are on offer in this sale. But it is the magnum format that perhaps offers the greatest drinking experience and will continue to do so for many decades.
  

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• 

  Lot 219: Laville Haut-Brion 1989

  Château Laville Haut Brion 1989, 6 bottles.
  Estimate £1,600–2,200.
  
  Arguably the greatest white wine of Bordeaux. Made in minute quantities (circa 1000 cases) from vines averaging 50 years old, the white wine of Château La Mission Haut-Brion (renamed La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc since the 2009 vintage) requires time for it to truly show its magnificent complexity. Mature vintages are very hard to find so you must seize this while you can.
  

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• 

  Lot 830: Harlan Estate 1997

  Harlan Estate 1997, 5 bottles.
  Estimate £3,000–3,500.
  
  In its youth, the 1997 Harlan Estate provoked a certain amount of controversy among wine writers due to its sheer power, depth and density. However, over the years it has shed its initially uncompromising image and evolved into a multifaceted, sensual beauty without losing that concentration and power that brought it to our attention in the first place. A legend with a long life ahead of it.

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• 

  Lot 224: Hermitage La Chapelle 1959

  Hermitage La Chapelle 1959, Paul Jaboulet Aîné, 1 bottle.
  Estimate £2,000–£2,800.
  
  The chapel of St Christophe sits near the top of the huge hill of Hermitage in the Northern Rhône from where this, one of the world’s greatest red wines, takes its name. However, the wine of La Chapelle does not come merely from the vineyards around the chapel - it is a magical blend of the complimentary soil types in different plots on the whole hill of Hermitage. There is richness in diversity! From a voluptuous vintage, this bottle is the last in a case that was lovingly kept in a fantastic purpose built-cellar.
  

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• 

  Lots 1015-1016: Mouton 1946

  Château Mouton Rothschild 1946, 1 bottle.
  Estimate £4,500–5,800.
  
  These bottles have been tasted at the Château, topped up with wine from the same vintage (also tasted and sacrificed for this purpose!) then given new corks, capsules and labels. A rare opportunity to acquire bottles whose condition and authenticity have been certified by the Château itself. A taste of history.

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• 

  Lot 563: Salon 2002

  Salon 2002, 6 bottles.
  Estimate £1,800–2,400.
  
  Bollinger R.D. 2002, 3 bottles.
  Estimate £800–1,000.
  
  Bollinger Vieilles Vignes Françaises 2002, 3 bottles.
  Estimate £700–900
  
  Gosset Celebris 2002, 6 bottles.
  Estimate £400–520.
  
  Philipponnat Clos des Goisses 2002, 6 bottles.
  Estimate £750–980 .
  
  Almost Burgundian in its structure and depth, Salon is a truly remarkable Champagne. This is the only cuvée they produce, a Blanc de Blancs from le Mesnil-sur-Oger, made only in exceptional years and never blended. The 2002, while approachable now, will warrant further cellaring if you have the will-power. Rich and powerful but with laser-like precision and extraordinary persistence.
  

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• 

  Lots 868-871: Léoville Barton 2005

  Château Léoville Barton 2005, 6 magnums.
  Estimate £700–900.
  
  Château Léoville Barton 2005, 3 double magnums.
  Estimate £700–900.
  
  Château Léoville Barton 2005, 1 Imperial.
  Estimate £550–700.
  
  Consistently brilliant wine is produced here under the stewardship of Anthony Barton, with this wonderful property a benchmark for classic St Julien regardless of vintage. However, when the conditions are as near perfect as they were in 2005 the results are sublime. There is a seamless quality to this wine with all the elements in perfect harmony - just fabulous. What’s more, we have large formats too, for sharing with those who ‘get it’!

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• 

  Lots 633-635: Vega Sicilia ‘Unico’ 1982

  Vega Sicilia ‘Unico’ 1982, 12 bottles.
  Estimate £3,500–4,500.
  
  Spain’s very own first growth and deservedly so. The multilayered complexity of ‘Unico’ stems from the combination of low yields, old vines planted at around 700 metres above sea level on limestone and schist soils and the long ageing process in a mixture of new and old French and American oak barrels. The 1982 is a blend of Tinto Fino (65%), Cabernet Sauvignon (20%) and Malbec (15%), ripe, spiced plum and liquorice flavours, smoky hints and a great mineral quality – a hallmark of Unico.
  

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• 

  Lot 256: La Tache 1985 Domaine de la Romanee-Conti

  La Tâche 1985, Domaine de la Romanée Conti, 12 bottles.
  Estimate £35,000–45,000.
  
  La Tâche needs little introduction and if you're fortunate enough to have an allocation then you must also have the patience of a saint waiting for it to enter its drinking window. Mature, odd bottles appear at auction occasionally but rarely does one find 12 bottles in original wood. The successful bidder won’t have to wait decades to broach this case as the 1985 is showing all its sensual glory now.

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