Jean-Louis Chave, Hermitage Rouge, 1990. 12 Bottles. Estimate $5,500–8,000.
Domaine Jean-Louis Chave's iconic Hermitage Rouge is a vinous master class in balancing power and finesse, achieved through the time-honoured practice of blending their different Syrah parcels on the majestic Hermitage hillside, with the whole even greater than the sum of the parts. These wines demand and reward patience, as bottle age reveals the full kaleidoscope of aromas and flavours. The Chave Hermitage Rouge from the excellent 1990 vintage, a year that is sometimes compared to the great 1961 harvest, is one of the domaine's most monumental Hermitages.
Jean-Louis Chave, Hermitage Blanc, 1990. 6 Bottles. Estimate $850–1,100.
While Domaine Jean-Louis Chave's Hermitage Rouge is universally recognized as a monument to the greatness of the Northern Rhône, insiders also search out the estate's sometimes overlooked but exceptionally compelling Hermitage Blanc. The story here is the richness of texture and persistent layers of flavour – often described as honey and acacia – hallmarks of this wine. The six bottles of Hermitage Blanc on offer from the excellent 1990 vintage would make a compelling side-by-side tasting alongside the
1990 Rouge
.
Bartolo Mascarello Barolo, “Artist Labels,” 1985. 2 Bottles. Estimate $700–1,000.
The classically styled wines of the late Bartolo Mascarello, one of Italy’s most legendary winemakers, are celebrated for their noble expression of Piedmont's greatest terroirs. These bottles of 1985 Barolo – from a blend of historic vineyard sites – represent the greatness of traditional winemaking from one of the top vintages of the 1980s. Especially of note, on each of these labels is a hand-drawn illustration by Bartolo Mascarello himself, referred to colloquially among collectors as "artist labels," which are very rare and desirable.
Heitz Cellars, Cabernet Sauvignon, Martha’s Vineyard, 1974. 12 Bottles. Estimate $10,000–15,000.
Heitz Martha’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, or “Heitz Martha’s,” as it is affectionately known among its devotees, is one of California’s most iconic wines, cherished for its distinctive, mesmerizing eucalyptus perfume and noteworthy balance. The 1974 is one of the legendary vintages of this famous single-vineyard wine, offered here as a full case in its original carton.
Bruno Giacosa, Barbaresco, Santo Stefano di Neive, Riserva, 1982. 3 Bottles. Estimate $2,800–3,500.
Bruno Giacosa’s iconic “red label” Barolo and Barbaresco riserva bottlings, made only in top vintages, are among the greatest wines in the world. Red label bottles of the monumental Barbaresco Santo Stefano are increasingly rare and collectible, especially since the estate is no longer producing wine from this now-famous site. The 1982 vintage is one of the region’s historic harvests, known for its structured, age-worthy wines.
This May, Sotheby’s will offer the third part of the celebrated cellar of financier and philanthropist Don Stott. Stott had an eye for collecting the top wines from Burgundy’s greatest producers, and went on to accumulate a legendary Burgundy collection. He approached acquiring wines from the world’s other classic wine regions just as thoughtfully, leading to a delightfully diverse assortment of superb wines from the Rhone, Piedmont, Napa, Alsace and more. Click ahead for a preview of not-to-be-missed highlights.
The Don Stott Cellar: 50 Years of Collecting, Part III
20 May | New York