Iconic Wines from a Prestigious French Cellar

There are very few producers whose wines inspire as much excitement in Burgundy devotees as those offered here: George Roumier, Armand Rousseau, René Engel, Méo-Camuzet, George Mugneret, Comtes Lafon. For every discerning connoisseur, these mythical producers are heroes of the most delicious Odyssey and their bottles sit at the Pantheon of Fine wines. These “demi-gods” producers have all transformed their wines into pieces of living arts following a route paved by purity and elegance and ultimately capturing the true essence of Burgundy. This section presents the world’s most harmonious wines in Homeric vintages such as the legendaries 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990 just to name a few.

The Burgundian Mythology

1980’s with Rousseau, Engel and Roumier

Burgundy Best-Kept Secrets: The Ultimate Connoisseurship

Georges Mugneret, Michel Gaunoux, Hubert de Montille and others

White Wines from Bordeaux & Burgundy

This collection is also a tremendous ode to Collectable Bordeaux, especially with a very precise selection of vintages and châteaux from the 1980s. Looking at the lots on offer, the late connoisseur search has always been for the best, concentrating on the proven classics. Lafite, Latour, Margaux, Haut Brion and Mouton lead the way, but then there is a particular plethora of superb Second Classed Growth with parcels of Châteaux Leoville Las Cases, Gruaud Larose, Pichon Comtesse, Ducru Beaucaillou, Cos d’Estournel and Montrose together with a great line-up of Petrus and rarely seen Le Pin for their Right Bank equivalents. Purchased on release, the vast majority of these wines are offered in their original wooden cases with pristine levels and labels.

Collectable vintages from Bordeaux

A meticulous selection of the best nectars

Following Sophisticated Burgundy and Collectable Bordeaux, we are delighted to present a wonderful selection from other brilliant wine regions including two iconic 100 parker points wines: The fabled Hermitage La Chapelle 1978 and the ultra-rare Château Rayas 1990. Connoisseurs will be particularly interested as well in the offerings from Champagne and Spain including the opulently textured Vega Sicilia 1970 en magnum and 1998 in bottles

 Iconic Rhône, Champagne gems, Vega Sicilia and Others

Sotheby’s Wine in Continental Europe is delighted to open 2023 with a tremendous Single Owner sale: Iconic Wines from a Prestigious French Cellar From a single private cellar, this sale contains a selection of the most coveted names of Bordeaux, Burgundy and others - including Rayas and Vega Sicilia - the property of a passionate collector with an enormous appreciation of the world’s very best wines, far ahead of its time in its discerning taste. The cellar composition is excellent, spanning more than 6 decades of the Finest Cuvées with a distinct focus on the 1980’s exemplified with immaculate parcels of First and Second Classed Growth Bordeaux in their original wooden cases - not to mention a unique offering of 20 bottles of Le Pin - and a plethora of Burgundy, with a wonderful array of illustrious Domaines from Georges Roumier, Armand Rousseau, René Engel, Georges Mugneret, Méo-Camuzet, and Michel Gaunoux to name a few. The vast majority of these brilliant wines were purchased directly decades ago at the properties - or for Bordeaux via Maisons Duclot and Descaves, and were safely stored in an immaculate, air-conditioned cellar in the Parisian region throughout their lifetime until their inspection and packing by Sotheby's for this superb auction. With exceptional provenance and condition, it is a great honour to present such a comprehensive collection of the wine world’s most renowned names. The sale Iconic Wines from a Prestigious French Cellar will open for online auction on Thursday March 2 and will close online on Thursday March 16 from 10:00AM CET. 
 
 <a class="Link" href="https://sothebys-com.brightspotcdn.com/5c/f6/ccb612df47fd995659c8e7ee163f/excel-lot-listing-pf2387-13-03-23.xlsx">EXCEL LOT LISTING</a>
 
 ____________________________________________________________________________ Sotheby's Wine en Europe continentale est ravi d'ouvrir 2023 avec la formidable vente d’une collection d’un amateur éclairé : Iconic Wines from a Prestigious French Cellar Provenant d'une cave privée, cette vente dévoile une sélection des noms les plus convoités de Bordeaux, de Bourgogne et autres domaines célèbres- dont Rayas et Vega Sicilia - la propriété d'un collectionneur passionné ayant une grande appréciation pour les meilleurs vins du monde mais également en avance sur son temps par ses choix, illustrant ainsi des goûts exigeants et raffinés. La composition de cette cave est remarquable, couvrant plus de 6 décennies des meilleures cuvées produites avec un accent particulier sur les années 1980, illustrées par des parcelles semées de premier et deuxième Grands Crus Classés de Bordeaux offerts dans leurs caisses bois d'origine – à noter un rare assortiment de 20 bouteilles de Le Pin. A cela se rajoute plus particulièrement une pléthore de Bourgogne, avec une merveilleuse sélection de domaines illustres de Georges Roumier, Armand Rousseau, René Engel, Georges Mugneret, Méo-Camuzet et Michel Gaunoux pour n'en nommer que quelques-uns. La grande majorité de ces vins ont été achetés directement aux propriétés ou pour les Bordeaux via Maisons Duclot et Descaves il y a plusieurs décennies et ont été stockés en toute sécurité dans une cave parfaite et climatisée de la région parisienne jusqu'à leur inspection et leur conditionnement par Sotheby's pour cette superbe vente aux enchères. Avec une provenance et un état exceptionnel, c'est un grand honneur de présenter une collection aussi complète de noms les plus renommés du monde du vin. La Collection Iconic Wines from a Prestigious French Cellar sera ouverte aux enchères en ligne le jeudi 2 mars et clôturera en ligne également le jeudi 16 mars à partir de 10h00 CET.

Director | Senior Specialist | London & Paris

Frédéric Guyot du Repaire

Director | Specialist

James Reed

Meet our Specialists

Sotheby’s Wine in continental Europe is delighted to present a meticulous French collection with an impressive choice of the finest French wines. 50 years of patience and dedication to bring to light treasures that time has enhanced. A pure travel through the best vintages covering decades of savoir faire in Burgundy, Bordeaux and beyond.