Sotheby’s | Inside the Wine Collections of Great Connoisseurs

February 12, 2018

Drawing from some of the best cellars known to Sotheby’s, the collections featured in Finest & Rarest Wines (24 February, New York) include wines from the most sought-after domains in Burgundy, the top chateaux in Bordeaux and beyond. Selections such as La Tâche DRC 1995, Heitz Cellar Martha’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 1991 and Petrus 1993 highlight the unparalleled study and passion of true wine connoisseurs. Read on to learn more about the remarkable private collections, along with their greatest treasures, in the upcoming sale.

Lot 38. La Tâche Drc 1985 (2 Bottles). Estimate $6,500–9,500. Lot 41. Romanée Conti Drc 1985 (2 Bottles). Estimate $17,000–26,000. Lot 36. La Tâche Drc 1990 (3 Bottles). Estimate $9,000–12,000.

Legends from the Cellar of a Long-Time Oenophile

This fabulous selection from a West Coast Collector and aficionado, whose passion for wine was born during a trip to France many years ago, begins with over thirty bottles and fifteen lots from iconic DRC. Highlights include two bottles of 1985 Grands Echezeaux, four vintages of Richebourg and two bottles of the mythical 1985 Romanée Conti. In addition, rarely does one ever see an astonishing eight vintages of La Tâche, including multiple bottles from the legendary 1985, 1990, 1993 and 1996 vintages. An impressive selection of Bordeaux follows with all of the First Growths present including full cases of 1990 Lafite and Margaux, 2000 Haut Brion, Mouton Rothschild and Latour amongst many others. Finally, not to be overshadowed are individual bottles of the immortal 1929 Y’quem.

From Wine Cellars and Europe’s Wine Region, to a master of wine’s experience in California Wine Country, LIVE Vintage on the Extraordinary Living blog

Almost all of these wines were bought on release and stored meticulously by the original owner in a private, purpose-built temperature controlled cellar. The wines, part of a much larger collection, were inspected on site and shipped to Sotheby’s warehouse via temperature-controlled truck.

Lot 331. Vega Sicilia Unico 1970 (10 Bottles). Estimate $5,500–8,000. Lot 330. Vega Sicilia Unico 1979 (3 Bottles). Estimate $900–1,200. Lot 328. Vega Sicilia Unico 1987 (2 Bottles). Estimate $500–700. Lot 327. Vega Sicilia Unico 1989 (3 Bottles). Estimate $750–1,100.

Pristine Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne from a Manhattan Collector

From the moment this gentleman, a long-time Sotheby’s client in New York City, began amassing a cellar, provenance and pristine conditions have been the hallmark of the collection. The vast majority of this collection was purchased on release, with the balance sourced from the most reputable of retailers and auction houses. These impeccably sourced wines were removed from temperature-controlled professional storage and purpose-built home cellars for transfer to Sotheby’s warehouse.

We begin in Bordeaux, with a focus on the outstanding 2000 and 2005 vintages. Cos d’Estournel, Grand Puy Lacoste, Léoville Las Cases and Lynch Bages all appear in original wood, alongside a full case of Mouton Rothschild 1998. Continuing on to Burgundy, twelve bottles each of La Tâche 1998 and 1995 are followed by a truly impressive parade of large formats: La Romanée Liger-Belair 2003 in jeroboam, and magnums of Clos de la Roche Dujac 1993, Musigny J.-F. Mugnier 1999 and Bonnes Mares G. Roumier 2005. An incredibly rare full dozen bottles of Musigny Joseph Drouhin 1996 in original carton, plus Krug Clos d’Ambonnay 1996 and Pol Roger Cuvée Winston Churchill 1988 in jeroboam, rounds out this spectacular offering of blue chip rarities.

Lot 249. Heitz Cellar Martha’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 1991 (6 Magnums). Estimate $2,200–3,200. Lot 248. Heitz Cellar Martha’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 1991 (12 Bottles). Estimate $1,800–2,600.