CROFT 1945 |

Croft 1945 Lot 361: u. 1bn, 1vts, 3 with signs of seepage, 'Croft Vintage Port 1945' printed on slightly soiled, plain paper labels, 4 slightly stained, Croft metal capsules without vintage, 1 bottle chalked with vintage, Croft wooden case stamped '1945 JKB', photograph of all 12 bottles and owc available on request, Lot 362: u. 5bn, 1hs, 2 with signs of seepage, 'Croft Vintage Port 1945' printed on slightly soiled, plain paper labels, several slightly stained, Croft metal capsules without vintage, 1 bottle chalked with vintage, Croft wooden case stamped '1945 JMC', photograph of all 12 bottles and owc available on requestRich red cherries on the nose. So rich and alcoholic. Extraordinary fruit. Total velvet. The greatest Croft ever made. Voluptuous. So sweet one tends to think it is Graham, but it is its own 'man' and a truly stunning Port. Another bottle had a lightish brown appearance. Very fruity, smoky bouquet - very Croft. Lovely sweet prunes and glorious walnuts. One senses the power behind it. On the palate, it starts on a fruity note and then the power, backbone and structure hit you. Long and lingering. Strength and elegance - a great achievement. Serena Sutcliffe, MW 361:12 bts (owc) 362:12 bts (owc)per lot: GBP 11,000-15,000per lot: USD 14,000-19,000per lot: EUR 12,500-17,000LYING IN GREENFORD, MIDDLESEXOffered Duty Paid, VAT on HammerThese items will be sold under the normal UK VAT rules and VAT will be charged at the standard rate on both the hammer price and buyer's premium. Please see 'Exports from the European Union' for the conditions to be fulfilled before the VAT charged on the hammer price may be refunded. (VAT-registered buyers from other EU countries may have the VAT cancelled or refunded if they provide Sotheby's with their VAT registration number and evidence that the property has been removed from the UK within three months of the date of sale. The evidence of removal required is a certificate of shipment or, if the lots were carried by hand, proof of travel and completion of a form available from the Post Sale Service Group.) (All business buyers from outside the UK should refer to 'VAT refunds to Non EU business buyers' for information on how to recover VAT incurred on the buyer's premium).Estimates are per lot