Robert Parker favourite Chateau Lafite 1996 leads rare wines sale

On Wednesday, McTears are holding one of their celebrated sales of rare and collectible single malt whiskies. But to warm the palate beforehand, their sale of Wine, Port and Cognac tomorrow (Tuesday, August 17) is well worth a look for collectors and investors.

One intriguing lot is a collection of seven bottles of Courvoisier Erte (missing number two out of the series). All in their original boxes, there is some minor damage to some of the 75cl, 40% bottles of Cognac. In total, they have been priced at £4000-£5000.

The top lots, however, are two boxes of Château Lafite - one of the 1999 vintage and the other from 1996.

The sealed 12 pack wooden case of Château Lafite 1999 contains a wine which Robert Parker gave a rare 95 point rating to, and carries an estimate of £10000-£15000. But the 1996 is one stage better again.

Chateau Lafite 1996 in its original wooden box
Box of Chateau Lafite 1996

Robert Parker rated it at a full 100 points - almost unheard of in the critic's tasting career - and the valuable bottles represent a strong investment - especially when kept pristinely in their original wooden case stamped 'Grand Cru'.

Serena Sutcliffe of Sotheby's described the vintage as follows:  "A bouquet of the utmost class and nobility. Berries, smoke and cedarwood. Such opulence and concentration. Plummy depths. A fascinating touch of mint on the palate. Great chocolatey, oaky depth. Utter power and yet the utter finesse of Lafite. A chef d'oeuvre. Unbeatable."

The lot carries the very reasonable estimate of £12,000-17,000. Watch this space for the results of the sale.

 

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