Sotheby's sale of fine and rare wines (and port) tomorrow has an expected top lot in an 18 half-bottle group of Château Petrus 1982. However, perhaps the most celebrated wine on offer will be an exceptional vintage of Château Lafite.
Three lots of 12 bottles are being presented at the sale, and if Sotheby's Serena Sutcliffe's views are anything to go by they are definitely worth a wine lover's attention:
"I have always been passionate about this wine although some people found it a bit unfriendly at the beginning. A star at Carlo Wolf's great Lafite vertical in 2009 -- it has 'moved' a lot in the last couple of years. A great Cabernet Sauvignon year in the Medoc, giving density and depth.
"It now has a formidable aniseed nose -- fascinating. The exceptional concentration is its 'leitmotif', its flavour dark chocolate and mint. Giant wine and, at 23 years old, it has never shown as well. Take every opportunity to acquire and, preferably, to drink this."
All of the bottles have very good levels in the neck, and are held in their original wooden cases (suggesting good care has been taken). Each lot is expected to sell for £8,000-10,000 and may represent a good investment.
There are also 12 bottle lots of the 2000 and 2005 vintages with slightly lower estimates.
