O
n Saturday, May 22, at 10:00 AM EDT, Sotheby’s Wine New York is pleased to present a momentous live sale led by The DRC Magnum Collection and anchored by Classic Bordeaux from a Knowledgeable Connoisseur. Additional highlights include reference-point selections from Bordeaux, Burgundy, the Rhône, Italy, and Napa Valley, in landmark vintages.
S otheby’s Wine NY is delighted to lead this May’s live auction with The DRC Magnum Collection, featuring extremely rare and coveted DRC Assortment cases, in both magnum and bottle formats, spanning 1995 through 2001, including the outstanding 1996 and 1999 vintages. These magnum Assortments were generally released by the Domaine for their very top and longtime clients.
DRC Assortment cases are the perfect snapshot of each vintage as it includes all six grands crus produced by the Domaine each year: Romanée-Conti, La Tâche, Richebourg, Romanée Saint-Vivant, Grands Echézeaux, and Echézeaux.
Additional highlights include, full 12-bottle cases of Richebourg, Romanée Saint-Vivant, Grands Echézeaux and Echézeaux, all in original wooden cases.
The wines were acquired on release and cellared in professional temperature-controlled storage until removed for this auction.
F or impact and excitement, plus sheer class, this riveting collection is a masterpiece. It also shows the unerring judgement of the consignor, a long-time friend of Sotheby’s Wine and a lifelong wine connoisseur. This is a person who knows both his wine and his palate. He does not waver from the classics and keeps them until they are displaying their most fascinating facets. I have shared many a bottle (and a few larger formats….) with him and, when tasting, he homes in to the real heart of a wine, understanding its personality and character. This takes one to an analysis of a ‘classic’ wine, always a pleasure in itself. I have come to the conclusion that a wine qualifies for this description principally because of its purity and clarity of expression, on both nose and palate, and I intend to continue my research with real zeal.
This glorious line-up of Bordeaux’s vinous aristocracy is what we all talk about and, sometimes, aspire to. As it happens, to alleviate the complications of the last year, I have had the good fortune to drink (this implies tasting, of course) a very good selection of these ultra Clarets that feature in this sale, wines that excel in their own gorgeous way. At random, there was Cheval Blanc 1982, Latour 1970, Margaux 1986, Lafite 1986, Pichon Lalande 1982 and Léoville Las Cases 1982, all of which make appearances in this remarkable auction.
And……the formats are fabulous. As we all head towards an improvement in our life styles and the ability to see groups of our favourite friends round the table, the call to an imposing large bottle is irresistible. What could better announce resumption of ‘normal service’.
This consignor can, occasionally, be drawn away from his beloved Bordeaux, so we also have a delightful selection of pinnacle red and white Burgundy, dramatic Vega Sicilia and majestic Vintage Port. My only wish is that, right now, I could sit down with this engaging wine lover and broach some of these bottles with him over a very good meal – by the way, his views on food are just as trenchant as they are on wine so there will be as much discussion as consumption! We all hope that those who acquire these great wines will have as much fun with them as we do.
–Serena Sutcliffe, MW
VIEW LOT
Thicker, darker colour than the '90, but more mature. Wonderfully dense, intense, concentrated bouquet of vanilla, violets and cigars. Blackberry compote. Totally rich and mouth coating. So thick and lush. Touch of Seville oranges and cloves. Pure exotica. I think even more exciting than the sleek, beautiful '90. Phenomenal. Serena Sutcliffe, MW
WA 100
VIEW LOT
Every single plot was green harvested to produce this density and they even chaptalized the wine! In 2014, a great black olive, 'tapenade' nose. On the palate, there is a touch of both vanillin and the sea, with sandalwood elements. The volume is impressive, with concentration all through. You can almost eat this. Serena Sutcliffe, MW
WA 100
VIEW LOT
Great, warm, spicy nose. Big, huge, massive rich wine. An absolute 'must have', combining the enormous breed of Lafite with depth and profundity. Great, long, cassis finish. A giant, in all senses of the word. Serena Sutcliffe, MW
WA 95
VIEW LOT
Thicker, darker colour than the '90, but more mature. Wonderfully dense, intense, concentrated bouquet of vanilla, violets and cigars. Blackberry compote. Totally rich and mouth coating. So thick and lush. Touch of Seville oranges and cloves. Pure exotica. I think even more exciting than the sleek, beautiful '90. Phenomenal. Serena Sutcliffe, MW
WA 100
VIEW LOT
Drunk with the 1989, the room divided on individual preference; I just came down on the side of the 1989! This is true First Growth beauty, with its projection of silky, approachable fruit and sleek bilberry taste - a smoothie of a wine. Utterly tempting and full of black fruit, it has perfect balance and irreproachable class. In 2015 at the property, pure berry fruit on the nose, with enormous freshness. Glorious opulence and fighting force. This really bounds out of the glass at you. A fabulous success. Serena Sutcliffe, MW
WA 100
VIEW LOT
Great scent, dominated by loganberries when it was young. Superb, juicy black fruit on the palate. Such a ripe finish, mouthwatering all the way through. That real, total super-healthy 2000 nose to it. One now senses the opulence of this wine, with all its layers. Such a vivid taste of plums. Such fresh acidity - still a baby. This will last a century if desired, so think two generations on. Serena Sutcliffe, MW
WA 98+
VIEW LOT
In 2019, this is as great as ever, perfect now in bottle, but try and wait a bit in magnum. Deep black fruit characterises the bouquet, cigar-rich and opulent. In the mouth, there is dense, welcoming texture plus ripe, yet still fresh, flavour that just swarms over the palate. Huge and enveloping, exciting and satisfying. This is classic Mouton from a vintage that miraculously combined fabulous quality with quantity. Serena Sutcliffe, MW
WA 100
VIEW LOT
The earliest vintage of the century at Cheval Blanc and there were days when the temperature went over 40 degrees Celsius. Close to 50% Merlot, 50% Cabernet Franc, which is unusual here. A very generous 47 hl/hectare made. In 2018 and from magnum, this is stunning, with its pure Russian leather bouquet, plus mineral and cocoa notes. So fruity on the palate, with great élan and éclat. Volume, beauty and power, becoming even more sensational in the glass as the dinner progressed. Serena Sutcliffe, MW
WA 96
