NEW YORK – There is a particular excitement felt by even the most jaded of wine specialists when opening banded original wood cases for the first time. Our team was afforded that thrill many times over with the featured collection Pristine Treasures from a Manhattan Collector in Sotheby’s upcoming Finest & Rarest Wines auction on 21 October in New York. This selection of blue chip rarities hails from the cellar of a New York City gentleman, the hallmarks of which are superb provenance and pristine conditions. Virtually all of these wines remain in original packaging, and much of the Petrus and Domaine de la Romanée-Conti was banded prior to inspection.
LOT 177. CHÂTEAU LAFLEUR 2003. ESTIMATE $4,000–6,000.
The 2003 vintage in Bordeaux is plentiful here, including Château Lafite, Château Latour in bottle and magnum format, Château Margaux and a gorgeous imperial of Château Lafleur. OWCs of Petrus abound from 2006 and 2003, as well as the standout 2001 vintage. Deep quantities of Burgundian greats are on offer in original wood case: 2004 La Romanée Liger-Belair in bottles, magnum and jeroboam; 2007 Musigny Mugnier; and 2002 Chevalier Montrachet Domaine Leflaive. Rare full dozens of Chablis Valmur 1998 and 1999 from Francois Raveneau are available with exceptionally great colour.
LOT 199. CHABLIS, VALMUR 1999 DOMAINE RAVENEAU. ESTIMATE $2,600–3,500. LOT 200. CHABLIS, VALMUR 1998 DOMAINE RAVENEAU. ESTIMATE $2,400–3,500.
The most dazzling standout in this collection of many highlights is its array of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti from the 1996 vintage. Six bottle quantities of Richebourg and twelve bottles of La Tâche are in original wood, which was banded prior to inspection, and Romanée-Conti is available in both bottle (again in original wood case) and magnum. Rounding out this offering are half-bottles of Château d’Yquem from the excellent 1989 vintage, magnums of Philipponnat Clos de Goisses Brut 1999 and California legends Dominus 1994 and Harlan Estate 2004.
LOT 189. ROMANÉE CONTI 1996 DOMAINE DE LA ROMANÉE-CONTI. ESTIMATE $60,000–90,000. LOT 190. ROMANÉE CONTI 1996 DOMAINE DE LA ROMANÉE-CONTI. ESTIMATE $22,000–32,000.
Peruse all of the wines available in this highly curated auction in our catalogue.
