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The December 2010 Internet-Only Auction Part 2 Old World Highlights

The December 2010 Internet-Only Auction Part 2 Old World Highlights

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SPECTRUM WINE AUCTIONS END-OF-YEAR INTERNET EXTRAVAGANZA!

Let us help you ring out 2010 and ring in 2011 with a spectacular array of wines from around the world. Our December Internet Auction Part II will be a two day event (December 29-30) with a stellar selection of stars from France, California, Italy and other prestigious locales. Highlights include:

BORDEAUX HIGHLIGHTS

We start things off on Day 1 with a veritable “who’s who” of Bordeaux both in terms of estates and vintages!

Chateau Lafite Rothschild

Currently the hottest property in all of Bordeaux. 1988 stands as one of the classic vintages of the 1980s.

Lafite Rothschild 1988 (Lot 2)
“Broodingly backward and in need of considerable bottle age, the 1988 is a classic expression of Lafite. This deeply-colored wine exhibits the tell-tale Lafite bouquet of cedar, subtle herbs, dried pit fruits, minerals, and cassis. Extremely concentrated, with brilliantly focused flavors and huge tannins, this backward, yet impressively endowed Lafite-Rothschild may well turn out to be the wine of the vintage!” (Wine Advocate 94)

Chateau Mouton Rothschild
Two extraordinarily successful vintages for Mouton.

Mouton Rothschild 1982 (Lot 22)
“This wine remains one of the legends of Bordeaux. It has thrown off the backward, youthful style that existed during its first 25 years of life, and over the last 4-5 years has developed such secondary nuances as cedar and spice box. The crème de cassis, underlying floral note, full-bodied power, extraordinary purity, multilayered texture, and finish of over a minute are a showcase for what this Chateau accomplished in 1982.” (Wine Advocate 100)

Mouton Rothschild 2000 (Lot 27)
“Perhaps the most beautiful packaging ever on a Bordeaux bottle, Baroness Philippine de Rothschild literally produced a work of art in the gold-engraved bottle of 2000 Mouton Rothschild. Of course, one can’t drink the glass, but this is a top-flight Mouton Rothschild, eclipsed only by the 2006 and 2009.” (Wine Advocate 96+)

Chateau Margaux
Have fun comparing the two greatest vintages of Margaux from the 1980s!

Margaux 1983 (Lots 32-34)
“The 1983 Margaux is a breathtaking wine. The Cabernet Sauvignon grapes achieved perfect maturity in 1983, and the result is an astonishingly rich, concentrated, atypically powerful and tannic Margaux. The color is dark ruby, the aromas exude ripe cassis fruit, violets, and vanillin oakiness, and the flavors are extremely deep and long on the palate with a clean, incredibly long finish.” (Wine Advocate 96)

Margaux 1982 (Lot 35)
“Consistently scoring between 98-100, the superb 1982 Margaux may be slightly bigger, bolder, and more masculine than vintages produced over the last 15-20 years. Its dark plum/purple color is followed by notes of melted tar intermixed with sweet cassis and floral underpinnings. Very full-bodied and dense for a Chateau Margaux, with a slight rusticity to the tannins, it boasts blockbuster power, richness, and impressive aromatics.” (Wine Advocate 98)

Chateau Haut Brion
Two classics from this venerable estate.

Haut Brion 1985 (Lot 43)
“This has always been one of the more seductive, savory, complex Haut-Brions of the eighties. My notes have always suggested that it is the quintessentially elegant, finesse-styled Haut-Brion. The color remains a deep ruby/purple with slight lightening at the edge. The knock-out nose of intense jammy black fruits, smoke, cedar, herbs, and new oak is followed by a generously concentrated, rich, gorgeously proportioned and layered Haut-Brion with no hard edges. Everything - alcohol, acidity, tannin - is beautifully integrated into the seamless personality of the 1985.” (Wine Advocate 94)

Haut Brion 1982 (Lot 44)
“…the 1982 remains a superb Haut Brion. Seemingly less evolved than the 1990, it is capable of another 20-30 years of longevity.” (Wine Advocate 95)

Chateau La Mission Haut Brion
Bid on La Mission’s legendary 1982!

La Mission 1982 (Lot 48)
“The greatest La Mission Haut Brion made between the 1975 and 1989, the 1982 is, stylistically, a dead-ringer for the ethereal 1959. One of the most massive wines of the vintage, it remains an adolescent in terms of evolution, but it can be drunk with great pleasure if it is decanted 2-3 hours in advance.” (Wine Advocate 100)

Chateau Cos d’Estournel
One of the greatest wines ever from Cos!

Cos d’Estournel 1982 (Lot 60)
“This 1982 is still displaying a beautiful deep ruby/purple hue as well as a stunning set of aromatics consisting of blue and black fruits, loamy earth, flowers, licorice, and spice box. The wine is medium to full-bodied with sweet tannins, a medium to full-bodied mouth feel, and a silky finish. It appears to have hit full maturity, but it can easily be held in a cold cellar for another 10+ years.” (Wine Advocate 95)

Chateau Leoville Las Cases
The Lion of St. Julien!

Leoville Las Cases 2000 (Lot 64)
“This seamless classic builds in the mouth, with a finish that lasts over 60 seconds. Still primary, yet extraordinarily pure, this compelling wine, which continues to build flavor intensity and exhibit additional layers of texture, is a tour de force in winemaking and certainly one of the great Leoville Las Cases. In another sense, it symbolizes / pays homage to proprietor Michel Delon, who passed away in 2000. Michel has been succeeded by his son, Jean-Hubert, another perfectionist.” (Wine Advocate 98+)

Leoville Las Cases 1986 (Lot 68)
“The 1986 Leoville-Las Cases, which Delon continues to believe is his finest vintage in the eighties (even eclipsing the 1982), still exhibits a black/purple color with no signs of age. The nose offers up aromas of exceptionally ripe cassis fruit intertwined with scents of vanillin, minerals, and spices. The wine is full-bodied, exceptionally well-delineated, and phenomenally concentrated. Still unevolved and youthful, this is one of the most profound Leoville-Las-Cases…” (Wine Advocate 98)

Leoville Las Cases 1985 (Lot 69)
“This is one of my favorite vintages of Las Cases for present day consumption. The wine reveals a youthful deep ruby/purple color, followed by a classic Las Cases bouquet of pain grille, lead pencil, minerals, and ripe black currants. Medium to full-bodied, with outstanding concentration, and soft tannin, this is a classic, fleshy 1985…“(Wine Advocate 93)

Leoville Las Cases 1982 (Lot 70-71)
“Classic lead pencil, cassis, kirsch, cedar, and spice characteristics are abundant in both the nose and full-bodied flavors.” (Wine Advocate 95+)

Chateau Pichon Baron
The 1989 Pichon Baron stands as one of the greatest Pichon Baron ever! Former Wine Spectator #1 Wine of the Year!

Pichon Baron 1989 (Lot 76)
“What a nose here, from crushed mulberry to tanned leather to tar. Full-bodied, with big, velvety tannins that are soft and caressing, like cashmere. This is so tight and powerful still; it seems to be holding back. Be patient, because it will open with another five or six years of bottle age.” (Wine Spectator 95)

Chateau Montrose
Flagship estate of St. Estephe!

Montrose 1989 (Lots 73-74)
“An outstanding Montrose, the 1989 is one of the vintage's stars. It possesses an opaque dark ruby/purple color, a sweet nose of minerals, black fruits, cedar, and wood, dense, medium to full-bodied, highly extracted flavors, low acidity, and moderate tannin in the long finish.” (Wine Advocate 96)

Chateau Palmer
Legendary wine!

Palmer 1989 (Lot 89)
“Palmer's 1989 is one of the vintage's great successes. The wine exhibits a dark ruby/purple color, a sweet, jammy nose of black fruits, intermingled with floral scents, licorice, and a touch of truffles. Full-bodied and supple, with low acidity, copious quantities of ripe fruit and glycerin, and a medium to full-bodied, concentrated, harmonious, seamless texture, this is a gorgeous Palmer.” (Wine Advocate 96)

Chateau Lynch Bages
Perennial consumer fave!

Lynch Bages 1989 (Lot 93)
“Powerful and muscular, with high tannin and superb concentration, this is Lynch Bages at its biggest and most beastly. However, everything is in balance for a stunning evolution.” (Wine Advocate 95)

Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou
Classic St. Julien!

Ducru Beaucaillou 1985 (Lot 103)
“For sheer elegance, charm, and finesse, the 1985 Ducru-Beaucaillou has it all. The wine is close to full maturity, yet retains a vibrancy and youthfulness that is unusual for a 1985. The generous flavors are soft, but not flabby. The wine possesses outstanding concentration yet is elegant and refreshing. This is a beautifully knit, harmonious Ducru.” (Wine Advocate 92)

Ducru Beaucaillou 1982 (Lots 104-106)
“A wine of extraordinary aromatic complexity and finesse, this sweet effort possesses a dark ruby color with a pink rim. Once past the gloriously complex aromatics (blueberries, black currants, minerals, and underbrush), the wine reveals terrific fruit intensity, excellent harmony, medium body, sweet tannin, and a long finish. This superb, elegant 1982 has achieved full maturity, but it promises to last for another 15+ years.” (Wine Advocate 94)

Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte
Currently one of the top estates in all of Pessac due to the tireless commitment and energy of Daniel and Florence Cathiard.

Smith Haut Lafitte 2005 (Lot 125)
“One can’t say enough about the accomplishments the Cathiards have achieved at this property since 1990. Prior to their purchase of the property, appallingly diluted, vegetal, fruitless, charmless wines were produced, but they have turned Smith-Haut-Lafitte into a showcase Pessac-Leognan. The inky/blue/purple-tinged 2005's extraordinary nose reeks of charcoal, incense, scorched earth, abundant blackberry, blueberry, and cherry fruit, toast, and spice. Good acidity, huge but sweet tannin, and fabulous precision as well as definition characterize this full-bodied, super-concentrated effort. It should prove to be among the longest-lived wines yet made by the Cathiards.” (Wine Advocate 95)

Chateau l’Eglise Clinet
Denis Durantou stands as one of Bordeaux’s unheralded superstars! Bid on two of his masterpieces!

L’Eglise Clinet 1995 (Lot 130)
“One of the vintage's most awesome wines, L'Eglise-Clinet's 1995 has been fabulous from both cask and bottle. The color is opaque purple. The wine is closed aromatically, but it does offer a concoction of black raspberries, kirsch, smoke, cherries, and truffles. Full-bodied and rich, with high tannin, but profound levels of fruit and richness, this dense, exceptionally well-delineated, layered, multidimensional L'Eglise-Clinet only hints at its ultimate potential. This looks to be a legend in the making. I could not get over the extraordinary texture of this wine in the mouth. Intensity and richness without heaviness - a tour de force in winemaking!” (Wine Advocate 96)

L’Eglise Clinet 1985 (Lot 131)
“This wine is far more concentrated than some of the appellation's super stars (Trotanoy and Petrus for example), and has retained a dense, opaque ruby/purple color, as well as an unevolved but promising nose of kirsch, black raspberries, minerals, and truffles. Rich and medium to full-bodied, with magnificent purity and a nicely layered feel on the palate, this youthful, intensely rich L'Eglise-Clinet is evolving at a glacial pace.” (Wine Advocate 95)

Chateau La Conseillante
Two wines from one of Pomerol’s flagship estates!

La Conseillante 1989 (Lots 138-139)
“Offers sweet, dried fruits on the nose, with plum jam and Turkish delight candies. Full-bodied, with big velvety tannins and loads of fruit. Chewy and Porty. Has turned so decadent and yummy over the years.” (Wine Spectator 94)

La Conseillante 1982 (Lot 140)
“… it is an outstanding effort revealing plenty of black currant, kirsch, smoke, herb, and incense characteristics, a full-bodied, voluptuous texture, and melted tannins.” (Wine Advocate 94)

Chateau Canon la Gaffeliere
From the inimitable Stephan von Neipberg, one of the top winemakers in all of St. Emilion.

Canon la Gaffeliere 2005 (Lot 151)
“For opulence, decadence, and sexiness, this 2005 is hard to resist.” (Wine Advocate 94)

Chateau Angelus
One of the top vintage productions that began the renaissance at Angelus!

Angelus 1990 (Lot 156)
“This blockbuster, blue/purple-colored wine boasts an exceptional nose of subtle licorice, menthol, crème de cassis, blackberries, and hints of coffee and charcoal. Full-bodied, flamboyant, and opulent, with low acidity and sweet tannin, it still seems young at age 19.” (Wine Advocate 96)

Chateau Gruaud Larose
From the legendary Jean Cordier!

Gruaud Larose 1983 (Lot 166)
“Solid, intense; roasted coffee and cassis aromas and flavors lead to a lovely ripe fruit finish.” (Wine Spectator 90)

Chateau Talbot
Classic St. Julien! Two of the top wines of the 1980s from Talbot!

Talbot 1986 (Lot 170)
“It's my gut feeling that the 1986 is, along with the 1982, the finest Talbot made at this estate since the legendary 1945.” (Wine Advocate 96)

Talbot 1982 (Lot 171)
“One of the great Talbots, the 1982 exhibits a dark garnet/purple color as well as spectacular aromatics consisting of melted licorice, briny olives, black currants, aged beef, new saddle leather, and cherry liqueur.” (Wine Advocate 95)

OTHER FRENCH HIGHLIGHTS…

Roederer Cristal 1989 (Lot 210)
Looking for a party bottle for that special event? Take a shot at this superb 3 Liter bottle of Cristal from the highly acclaimed 1989 Champagne vintage. France’s Champagne region enjoyed a three-peat championship run in 1988-89-90 with the 1989s proffering superb richness and lush drinkability. This bad boy should be right in its prime!

Assorted Clos de Beze (Lot 211)
Every Burgundy lover is acquainted with Clos de Beze. It is truly one of Gevrey Chambertin’s greatest Grand Cru sites. This mixed lot contains wines from three of the vineyard’s greatest producers: Vincent Girardin, Bruno Clair and Pierre Damoy! All wines come from either the spectacular 1999 or equally superb 2002 vintage. Both 1999 and 2002 have received critical acclaim from multiple sources and stand as two of the greatest of recent red Burgundy vintages. This mixed lot offers both the Burgundy novice and aficianado the opportunity to procure some terrific wines!

Chateauneuf du Pape 2001 “Cote Ronde” Domaine Paul Autard (Lot 331)
“A deep ruby color is followed by aromas of spicy new oak, herbs de Provence, earth, pepper, and kirsch liqueur. Pinot Noir-like in the mouth, with moderate tannin in the finish, it will be at its finest between 2005-2013.” (Wine Advocate 91)

Gigondas 1998 Gour de Chaule (Lot 393)
Many who should know are of the opinion that Aline Bonfils makes the finest Gigondas in all of France. Madame Bonfils is the ultimate artisan producing small quantities of traditionally crafted wine that sees minimal intervention.  She is content to let Mother Nature do most of the talking! From the superb 1998 vintage, this should be drinking really well right now!

Sancerre 2007 “VV” Domaine Gerard Morin (Lots 504-508)
This Sancerre rocks! From another small production, artisanal winemaker! Bid!  A favorite of Jason Boland's, Spectrum Wine Auction's President.

MORE BURGUNDY: “TALES OF TERROIR”
We are excited to be able to feature an array of offerings from two more small production, high quality estates in this auction.

Domaine Dupont-Fahn
This domaine, located in Meursault, is ably run by Raymond Dupont-Fahn whose mother hails originally from Los Angeles. Raymond’s father, Michel, was a winemaker for many years. Raymond has a solid reputation for producing great wines from humble terroirs. They are excellent white wines which capture distinctive elements of terroir in combination with superb richness, finesse and complexity.
We can offer for bid:
Auxey-Duresses 2006 (Lots 422-24)
Puligny Montrachet 2006 “Charmes” (Lots 475-90)

Domaine Remi Jobard
Remi Jobard is the nephew of the renowned Meursault vigneron Francois Jobard. He has learned from both his father, Charles Jobard, as well as his uncle, and has been producing wines in Meursault for many years now. His wines are expressive of Meursault in the best sense of the word combining underpinnings of succinct minerality with the rich, opulent fruit for which great Meursault is known. Low yields, superb vineyard acumen and a minimalist approach in the winery are the keys to his success.

We can offer for bid:
Meursault 2006 “En Luraule” (Lot 439)
Meursault 2006 “Chevaliers” (Lots 440-48)
Meursault 2006 “Genevrieres” (Lots 449-52)
Meursault 2006 “Grand Charrons” (Lots 453-54)
Meursault 2006 “Sous la Velle” (Lots 455-69)
All of these superbly crafted Meursault are distinctive productions that reflect the terroir whence they sprang! All are worthy of bid!

Also recommended:
Puligny Montrachet 2006 “Nosroyes” (Lots 481-88)



Auction Sessions

Session #1 - The December 2010 Internet-Only Auction Part 2 - Old World Session.
Pre-Bidding Ends: 12/29/2010 9:30:00 AM PT
Live Internet Bidding Begins: 12/29/2010 10:00:00 AM PT
View lots in session 1

Session #2 - The December 2010 Internet-Only Auction Part 2 - New World Session.
Pre-Bidding Ends: 12/30/2010 9:30:00 AM PT
Live Internet Bidding Begins: 12/30/2010 10:00:00 AM PT
View lots in session 2