S
otheby’s Wine is delighted to present our first single-owner sale of 2022, Bordeaux, Tuscany and Napa: Finest Wines from the Cellar of A World-Class Entrepreneur. The sale opens with an array of stunning Bordeaux, concentrated on the iconic vintages of the 1980s. Petrus, Cheval Blanc, Lafite, Haut Brion, Mouton, Margaux and Latour abound in vintages 1982, 1986 and 1989. Masseto leads the sale’s Tuscan offerings, appearing in bottle and magnum, spanning the years 1998 to 2010. Gems from Sassicaia, Tignanello and Montevertine follow, giving way to cult classics Screaming Eagle, Colgin and Opus One which appears in three formats and three decades. Closing the sale is an impressive assortment of Vintage Port from the great houses and in the greatest vintages of the 20th Century–1945, 1963, 1977 and 1985.
A really rich, liquorice and spices nose that has great depth. Rich and mouth-coating on the palate, with an amazing full flavour and a finish of velvety coffee. Delicious at 24 years old. Serena Sutcliffe, MW
Very Cabernet, very complex nose. Lots of fruit and flesh. Not enormous length, easy drinking and relatively light textured. Perfectly delicious from magnum in 2012 - this just slips down. Serena Sutcliffe, MW
69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Cabernet Franc, 15% Merlot. In 2020, this has astounding projection on the nose, highly scented and unmistakably noble. On the palate, elegance married to power, with magisterial depth and flavour. Fills the mouth with great glycerol - a very profound statement and sheer bliss on the hedonistic scale. Serena Sutcliffe, MW
In 2019, there is still woodsmoke on the nose, followed by real aromatic depth and splendor on the palate. The mocha tannins are now soft and this is ready to go. Serena Sutcliffe, MW
In 2021, an immediate, definable, superb 'scent of Margaux' - and indisputably First Growth. Blueberries, heather and blackberries surge out of the glass - and they scream 'breed'! Bordeaux at its finest, at first sniff, and it utterly beguiled us. A huge, voluptuous, opulent mouthful 'en bouche', followed by endless dimension and complexity. The tannins are totally enveloped in richness, a stunning example of how to manage the power and structure of 1986. One of Paul Pontallier's greatest wines and a remarkable Margaux. Serena Sutcliffe, MW
At 14 years old, a fantastic bouquet of blueberries and spice - we decanted it just over an hour before drinking. There is a 'Pétrus connection' - it tasted a bit like Pétrus 1971 when it was young. But Masseto never tastes like Le Pin! Multi-layered with a flavour of spiced chocolate and, in this vintage, great fresh attack on the finish. A dose of Italian sun and genius. We drank it with osso buco. Serena Sutcliffe MW
In 2020, huge, aromatic, spicy fruit on the nose. So thick-textured on the palate you can almost eat it, with a big, tannic structure underneath. Rich chocolate liqueur flavours, sumptuous velvet vino. Serena Sutcliffe, MW
Blackberry nose of enormous freshness. Silky elegance. So "bordelais". Glorious black cherries on the finish, with a gummy, rich texture. Serena Sutcliffe, MW
Intense, focussed, cassis bouquet. Great black and red fruit taste. Beautiful tannic structure. Dark chocolate, brambly finish. Serena Sutcliffe, MW
This is a vintage of low yields, cool nights and no extreme heat in the day. At twenty years old, so fruity on the nose. Great redcurrant fruit on the palate. Such vivacious, Fonseca freshness. Serena Sutcliffe, MW
Real spicy plums bouquet. Totally amplifies on the palate in extraordinary fashion, a sign of a stupendous Vintage Port. Almost cassis in flavour. Absolutely brilliant and with no spirit aftertaste which can sometimes happen with the great 1963s. It caresses the palate. What a vibrant, multi-layered joy at 45 years old. Serena Sutcliffe, MW
