| Red Bordeaux - Claret The great red wines of Bordeaux |
The Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855 was based entirely on recent market prices for a vineyard's wines, with one exception:
Château Mouton Rothschild. Despite the market prices for their vineyard's wines equalling that of Château Lafite Rothschild, Château
Mouton Rothschild was excluded from First Great Growth status, an act that Baron Philippe de Rothschild referred to as "the monstrous
injustice". It is widely believed that the exception was made because the vineyard had recently been purchased by an Englishman and was
no longer in French ownership.
In 1973, Mouton was elevated to "first growth" status after decades of intense lobbying by its powerful and influential owner, the only change
in the original 1855 classification (excepting the 1856 addition of Château Cantemerle). This prompted a change of motto: previously, the
motto of the wine was Premier ne puis, second ne daigne, Mouton suis. ("First, I cannot be. Second, I do not deign to be. Mouton I am."), and
it was changed to Premier je suis, Second je fus, Mouton ne change. ("First, I am. Second, I used to be. But Mouton does not change.")
Château Mouton Rothschild. Despite the market prices for their vineyard's wines equalling that of Château Lafite Rothschild, Château
Mouton Rothschild was excluded from First Great Growth status, an act that Baron Philippe de Rothschild referred to as "the monstrous
injustice". It is widely believed that the exception was made because the vineyard had recently been purchased by an Englishman and was
no longer in French ownership.
In 1973, Mouton was elevated to "first growth" status after decades of intense lobbying by its powerful and influential owner, the only change
in the original 1855 classification (excepting the 1856 addition of Château Cantemerle). This prompted a change of motto: previously, the
motto of the wine was Premier ne puis, second ne daigne, Mouton suis. ("First, I cannot be. Second, I do not deign to be. Mouton I am."), and
it was changed to Premier je suis, Second je fus, Mouton ne change. ("First, I am. Second, I used to be. But Mouton does not change.")
Château Mouton Rothschild
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Owned by the Arnaud family for the better part of 200 years until the end of the World War II, Pétrus was then sold to Mme Loubat, who
had progressively acquired the property since 1925. On her death in 1961, the estate was passed to her family, who eventually sold a
half share in 1964 to Jean-Pierre Moueix. Moueix himself had set up a negociant business Établissements Jean-Pierre Moueix, based in
Libourne and gradually began acquiring right bank châteaux. Following the death of Jean-Pierre Moueix in 2003, his elder son
Jean-François is the gérant of Château Pétrus, while, Christian Moueix, his second son, manages the production.
There is no real château physically on the estate, which explains why the wine is usually simply referred to as Pétrus, and not Château
Pétrus.
had progressively acquired the property since 1925. On her death in 1961, the estate was passed to her family, who eventually sold a
half share in 1964 to Jean-Pierre Moueix. Moueix himself had set up a negociant business Établissements Jean-Pierre Moueix, based in
Libourne and gradually began acquiring right bank châteaux. Following the death of Jean-Pierre Moueix in 2003, his elder son
Jean-François is the gérant of Château Pétrus, while, Christian Moueix, his second son, manages the production.
There is no real château physically on the estate, which explains why the wine is usually simply referred to as Pétrus, and not Château
Pétrus.
Petrus
Petrus 1961, en magnum
Mise Loubat.
SOLD.
Mise Loubat.
SOLD.
Petrus 1947, double magnum
Mise Loubat.
SOLD.
Mise Loubat.
SOLD.
Château Latour 1865, ex chateau
This unique bottle comes directly from the château's own private
reserve.
Click on the images to see enlarged versions.
Email us for pricing and ordering details.
This unique bottle comes directly from the château's own private
reserve.
Click on the images to see enlarged versions.
Email us for pricing and ordering details.
Château Latour lies at the very southeastern tip of the commune of Pauillac in the Médoc region to the north-west
of Bordeaux, at its border with Saint-Julien, and only a few hundred metres from the banks of the Gironde estuary.
The site has been occupied since at least 1331 when a garrison fort was built 300 metres from the estuary to
guard against attack during the Hundred Years' War. The tower, named La Tour en Saint-Mambert gave its name
to the estate around the fortress and was in English hands until the Battle of Castillon in 1453, and its complete
destruction by the forces of the King of France. The original tower no longer exists, but in the 1620s a circular tower
(La Tour de Saint-Lambert) was built on the estate and though it is actually designed as a pigeon roost, it remains
a strong symbol of the vineyard. Vines have existed on the site since the 14th century, and Latour's wine received
some early recognition, discussed as early as in the 16th century in Essays by Montaigne. From 1670 began a
lineage of connected family ownership not broken until 1963, when the estate was acquired by the de Chavannes
family, and passed by marriage to the de Clauzel family in 1677. When Alexandre de Ségur married Marie-Thérèse
de Clauzel, Latour became a part of his vast property, to which he also added Château Lafite in 1716, just prior to
his death. In 1718 his son Nicolas-Alexandre de Ségur added Château Mouton and Château Calon-Ségur to his
holdings status was established on export markets such as England, alongside chateaux Lafite, Margaux and
Pontac. With the death of status was established on export markets such as England, alongside chateaux Lafite,
Margaux and Pontac. With the death of Nicolas-Alexandre Ségur in 1755 the estate was divided among four
daughters, three of whom inherited Latour in 1760. Latour improved in Nicolas-Alexandre Ségur in 1755 the estate
was divided among four daughters, three of whom inherited Latour in 1760. Latour improved in the later half of the
century, and later became a favourite of Thomas Jefferson, then minister to France, when he categorised La Tour
de the later half of the century, and later became a favourite of Thomas Jefferson, then minister to France, when he
categorised La Tour de Ségur as a vineyard of first quality in 1787. With the onset of the French Revolution, the
property became divided. The Comte de Ségur-Cabanac fled France and his portion was auctioned off by the state
in 1794, passing through several owners. The estate was not Ségur-Cabanac fled France and his portion was
auctioned off by the state in 1794, passing through several owners. The estate was not reunited until 1841, when
the family succeeded in a ploy to put the estate up for sale, and eventually emerged after an auction having
regained the 20% shares owned by négociants Barton, Guestier and Johnston. The Société Civile de Château
Latour was formed in 1842, exclusive to the family, who then had become shareholders. Ahead of the International
Exhibition in Paris, the selection of Latour as one of the four First Growths in the Classification of 1855
consolidated its reputation, and ensured its high prices. The present château was completed in 1864.
In 1963 the estate finally left the Ségur family, when the heirs sold three-quarters of the Château Latour shares to
the British interests of the Pearson Group. Investments were made in research, vineyards were expanded by
acquisition and replanting, the chai was extended and Latour became the first of the first growths to modernise
their whole production, replacing the old oak fermenting vats with stainless steel temperature-controlled vats. The
second wine with fruit from younger vines was initiated, and fruit for the grand vin was decided to come exclusively
from the vineyards shown on the plan of the domain from 1759. In 1989 Latour was purchased by Allied Lyons for
around £110 million, but in 1993 returned to French ownership when bought by businessman François Pinault for
£86 million when it became part of his holding company Groupe Artemis.
The estate has 78 hectares (190 acres) of vineyard, of which a 47-hectare (120-acre) portion near the château is
named l'Enclos, where fruit exclusive to the grand vin is grown. The composition of grape varieties is 80%
Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, and 2% of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The grand vin Chateau Latour,
typically a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, with the remainder Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc,
normally has an annual production of 18,000 cases.
of Bordeaux, at its border with Saint-Julien, and only a few hundred metres from the banks of the Gironde estuary.
The site has been occupied since at least 1331 when a garrison fort was built 300 metres from the estuary to
guard against attack during the Hundred Years' War. The tower, named La Tour en Saint-Mambert gave its name
to the estate around the fortress and was in English hands until the Battle of Castillon in 1453, and its complete
destruction by the forces of the King of France. The original tower no longer exists, but in the 1620s a circular tower
(La Tour de Saint-Lambert) was built on the estate and though it is actually designed as a pigeon roost, it remains
a strong symbol of the vineyard. Vines have existed on the site since the 14th century, and Latour's wine received
some early recognition, discussed as early as in the 16th century in Essays by Montaigne. From 1670 began a
lineage of connected family ownership not broken until 1963, when the estate was acquired by the de Chavannes
family, and passed by marriage to the de Clauzel family in 1677. When Alexandre de Ségur married Marie-Thérèse
de Clauzel, Latour became a part of his vast property, to which he also added Château Lafite in 1716, just prior to
his death. In 1718 his son Nicolas-Alexandre de Ségur added Château Mouton and Château Calon-Ségur to his
holdings status was established on export markets such as England, alongside chateaux Lafite, Margaux and
Pontac. With the death of status was established on export markets such as England, alongside chateaux Lafite,
Margaux and Pontac. With the death of Nicolas-Alexandre Ségur in 1755 the estate was divided among four
daughters, three of whom inherited Latour in 1760. Latour improved in Nicolas-Alexandre Ségur in 1755 the estate
was divided among four daughters, three of whom inherited Latour in 1760. Latour improved in the later half of the
century, and later became a favourite of Thomas Jefferson, then minister to France, when he categorised La Tour
de the later half of the century, and later became a favourite of Thomas Jefferson, then minister to France, when he
categorised La Tour de Ségur as a vineyard of first quality in 1787. With the onset of the French Revolution, the
property became divided. The Comte de Ségur-Cabanac fled France and his portion was auctioned off by the state
in 1794, passing through several owners. The estate was not Ségur-Cabanac fled France and his portion was
auctioned off by the state in 1794, passing through several owners. The estate was not reunited until 1841, when
the family succeeded in a ploy to put the estate up for sale, and eventually emerged after an auction having
regained the 20% shares owned by négociants Barton, Guestier and Johnston. The Société Civile de Château
Latour was formed in 1842, exclusive to the family, who then had become shareholders. Ahead of the International
Exhibition in Paris, the selection of Latour as one of the four First Growths in the Classification of 1855
consolidated its reputation, and ensured its high prices. The present château was completed in 1864.
In 1963 the estate finally left the Ségur family, when the heirs sold three-quarters of the Château Latour shares to
the British interests of the Pearson Group. Investments were made in research, vineyards were expanded by
acquisition and replanting, the chai was extended and Latour became the first of the first growths to modernise
their whole production, replacing the old oak fermenting vats with stainless steel temperature-controlled vats. The
second wine with fruit from younger vines was initiated, and fruit for the grand vin was decided to come exclusively
from the vineyards shown on the plan of the domain from 1759. In 1989 Latour was purchased by Allied Lyons for
around £110 million, but in 1993 returned to French ownership when bought by businessman François Pinault for
£86 million when it became part of his holding company Groupe Artemis.
The estate has 78 hectares (190 acres) of vineyard, of which a 47-hectare (120-acre) portion near the château is
named l'Enclos, where fruit exclusive to the grand vin is grown. The composition of grape varieties is 80%
Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, and 2% of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The grand vin Chateau Latour,
typically a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, with the remainder Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc,
normally has an annual production of 18,000 cases.
Château Latour
Château Latour 1959, en magnum, owc
SOLD.
SOLD.
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Situated on uniquely stony soil, the vineyard area extends nearly 21 hectares (52 acres) between the two portions in Pessac and
Léognan, with a grape variety distribution of 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, and 7% Cabernet Franc. The estate produces on
average 8 000 cases a year, or 96 000 bottles of its Grand vin La Mission Haut-Brion. For the second wine La Chapelle de la Mission,
from the vineyard's youngest vines, production is on average 1 000 cases, or 12,000 bottles.
For many years La Mission Haut-Brion has been considered the chief challenger to its historically better known close neighbour Château
Haut-Brion. The American wine critic Robert Parker awarded the maximum one hundred points for the 2006 La Mission Haut Brion,
making it six occasions Parker has given the winery this score (including the 1961 below). Jancis Robinson describes La Mission as
"the quintessential insider's wine." while David Peppercorn holds the estate's consistent performance over the last century as
justification to classify La Mission as a Premier Cru, as was done to Château Mouton Rothschild in 1973.
Léognan, with a grape variety distribution of 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, and 7% Cabernet Franc. The estate produces on
average 8 000 cases a year, or 96 000 bottles of its Grand vin La Mission Haut-Brion. For the second wine La Chapelle de la Mission,
from the vineyard's youngest vines, production is on average 1 000 cases, or 12,000 bottles.
For many years La Mission Haut-Brion has been considered the chief challenger to its historically better known close neighbour Château
Haut-Brion. The American wine critic Robert Parker awarded the maximum one hundred points for the 2006 La Mission Haut Brion,
making it six occasions Parker has given the winery this score (including the 1961 below). Jancis Robinson describes La Mission as
"the quintessential insider's wine." while David Peppercorn holds the estate's consistent performance over the last century as
justification to classify La Mission as a Premier Cru, as was done to Château Mouton Rothschild in 1973.
La Mission Haut Brion
Château La Mission Haut Brion 1961
Click to enlarge.
SOLD.
Click to enlarge.
SOLD.
L'Eglise Clinet is a superb estate, rated in the very top rank in Pomerol by most experts, but less well known and "fashionable" than
Petrus, Le Pin etc. The 1961 was one of their greatest ever wines. Production is just over 2000 cases now, less than half of this in 1961.
Petrus, Le Pin etc. The 1961 was one of their greatest ever wines. Production is just over 2000 cases now, less than half of this in 1961.
L'Eglise Clinet
Robert Parker: "Another great showing for this under-rated estate, the
1961 L'Eglise-Clinet displayed a saturated, opaque garnet color with
some amber/rust at the edge. A huge nose of soy sauce, grilled meats,
mocha, chocolate, and jammy cherry fruit is followed by a full-bodied
wine with excellent richness, length, and balance. Drink this fully
mature, velvety-textured wine over the next decade. 96 points"
Jancis Robinson gives this wine 18/20, an ultra high score for her.
This is an extremely rare wine, and a complete case like this is an
exceptional find.
Click on the images to see enlarged versions.
SOLD.
1961 L'Eglise-Clinet displayed a saturated, opaque garnet color with
some amber/rust at the edge. A huge nose of soy sauce, grilled meats,
mocha, chocolate, and jammy cherry fruit is followed by a full-bodied
wine with excellent richness, length, and balance. Drink this fully
mature, velvety-textured wine over the next decade. 96 points"
Jancis Robinson gives this wine 18/20, an ultra high score for her.
This is an extremely rare wine, and a complete case like this is an
exceptional find.
Click on the images to see enlarged versions.
SOLD.
Only four wine-producing Châteaux of Bordeaux achieved First Growth status in the 1855 Classification, which was based on recent prices.
Of those, the first one in the list is Château Lafite Rothschild.
Situated in the great wine-producing village of Pauillac in the Médoc region to the north-west of Bordeaux, the estate was the property of
Gombaud de Lafite in 1234. In the 17th century, the property of Château Lafite was purchased by the Ségur family, including the 16th century
manor house that still stands. Although vines almost certainly already existed on the site, around 1680, Jacques de Ségur planted the
majority of the vineyard. In the early 18th century, Nicolas-Alexandre, marquis de Ségur refined the wine-making techniques of the estate, and
introduced his wines to the upper echelons of European society. Before long he was known as the "Wine Prince", and the wine of Château
Lafite called "The King's Wine" thanks to the influential support of the Maréchal de Richelieu. Towards the end of the 18th century, Lafite's
reputation was assured and even Thomas Jefferson visited the estate and became a lifelong customer.
The first half of the 19th century saw Lafite in the hands of the Vanlerberghe family and the wine improved more, including the great vintages
of 1795, 1798 and 1818. On 8 August 1868, the Château was purchased by Baron James Mayer Rothschild for 4.4 million francs, and the
estate became Château Lafite Rothschild. Baron James, however, died just three months after purchasing Lafite. The estate then became
the joint property of his three sons: Alphonse, Gustave, and Edmond.
The 20th century has seen periods of success and difficulty, coping with post-phylloxera vines, and two world wars. During the Second World
War the Château was occupied by the German army, and suffered heavily from plundering of its cellars. Succeeding his uncle Élie de
Rothschild, Lafite has been under the direction of Eric de Rothschild since 1974.
Of those, the first one in the list is Château Lafite Rothschild.
Situated in the great wine-producing village of Pauillac in the Médoc region to the north-west of Bordeaux, the estate was the property of
Gombaud de Lafite in 1234. In the 17th century, the property of Château Lafite was purchased by the Ségur family, including the 16th century
manor house that still stands. Although vines almost certainly already existed on the site, around 1680, Jacques de Ségur planted the
majority of the vineyard. In the early 18th century, Nicolas-Alexandre, marquis de Ségur refined the wine-making techniques of the estate, and
introduced his wines to the upper echelons of European society. Before long he was known as the "Wine Prince", and the wine of Château
Lafite called "The King's Wine" thanks to the influential support of the Maréchal de Richelieu. Towards the end of the 18th century, Lafite's
reputation was assured and even Thomas Jefferson visited the estate and became a lifelong customer.
The first half of the 19th century saw Lafite in the hands of the Vanlerberghe family and the wine improved more, including the great vintages
of 1795, 1798 and 1818. On 8 August 1868, the Château was purchased by Baron James Mayer Rothschild for 4.4 million francs, and the
estate became Château Lafite Rothschild. Baron James, however, died just three months after purchasing Lafite. The estate then became
the joint property of his three sons: Alphonse, Gustave, and Edmond.
The 20th century has seen periods of success and difficulty, coping with post-phylloxera vines, and two world wars. During the Second World
War the Château was occupied by the German army, and suffered heavily from plundering of its cellars. Succeeding his uncle Élie de
Rothschild, Lafite has been under the direction of Eric de Rothschild since 1974.
Château Lafite Rothschild
Château Lafite Rothschild 1982
2 fine MAGNUMS from a superb cellar.
Click on the images to see enlarged versions.
Email us for pricing and ordering details.
2 fine MAGNUMS from a superb cellar.
Click on the images to see enlarged versions.
Email us for pricing and ordering details.
Chateau Cheval Blanc 1947
"The Greatest Wine Ever Made"
"The Greatest Wine Ever Made"
Château Cheval Blanc 1947 occupies a unique place in the pantheon of Bordeaux - it's arguably the single most famous wine produced in
the last century in the region, and many critics and connoisseurs have rated it if not the "best" (a meaningless concept at this level), certainly
as the most remarkable.
Michael Broadbent, the renowned British expert, writes in his book "Vintage Wine":
Unquestionably one of the greatest wines of all time...incredibly rich, fat, ripe...mammoth concentration and sweetness...huge, soft, complete,
rounded, fabulous, concentration.
The French wine writer Michael Dovaz says:
The invulnerable 1947 Cheval Blanc defies the laws of modern oenology. It resembles no other wine, though it comes closest to vintage port.
Generosity, suppleness, power, licorice, cedar, plum, velvety tannins, an unequalled smoothness, and an endless finale.
The editor of European Fine Wine Magazine, Pekka Nuikki writes:
Incredibly pronounced chocolaty, leathery nose, resembling port wine. Rich and ripe with great extract. The amount of almost overripe fruit
was so appealing that it was hard to resist and not drink the whole bottle right away. A very gentle and soft wine, almost feminine in character.
At the same time so powerful and masculine. It has everything a wine can offer in such a historical and exclusive package that it is challenging
to find anything as stunning as it!...And the celebrated aftertaste. We can still sense it after two long days and nights. A perfect out-of-this-world
experience.
The doyenne of British wine journalists, Jancis Robinson, describes it as follows:
Still bright crimson. Tingling with life and excitement. Rich but reverberating - like celestial sweet Earl Grey tea. Floral, lovely and so FRESH!
This wine floats across the palate. There’s the most amazing transparency to it – it’s not heavy yet it makes an extraordinary impression. Then
the flavours develop on the finish in a peacock’s tail of complexity. I honestly don’t expect ever to taste a wine better than this.
And the hyper-influential US critic Robert Parker says:
The 1947 Cheval Blanc exhibits such a thick texture it could double as motor oil. The huge nose of fruitcake, chocolate, leather, coffee, and
Asian spices is mind-boggling. The unctuous texture and richness of sweet fruit are amazing. Consider the fact that this wine is, technically,
appallingly deficient in acidity and excessively high in alcohol. Moreover, its volatile acidity levels would be considered intolerable by modern
day oenologists. Yet how can they explain that after 47 years the wine is still remarkably fresh, phenomenally concentrated, and profoundly
complex? It has to make you wonder about the direction of modern day winemaking.
the last century in the region, and many critics and connoisseurs have rated it if not the "best" (a meaningless concept at this level), certainly
as the most remarkable.
Michael Broadbent, the renowned British expert, writes in his book "Vintage Wine":
Unquestionably one of the greatest wines of all time...incredibly rich, fat, ripe...mammoth concentration and sweetness...huge, soft, complete,
rounded, fabulous, concentration.
The French wine writer Michael Dovaz says:
The invulnerable 1947 Cheval Blanc defies the laws of modern oenology. It resembles no other wine, though it comes closest to vintage port.
Generosity, suppleness, power, licorice, cedar, plum, velvety tannins, an unequalled smoothness, and an endless finale.
The editor of European Fine Wine Magazine, Pekka Nuikki writes:
Incredibly pronounced chocolaty, leathery nose, resembling port wine. Rich and ripe with great extract. The amount of almost overripe fruit
was so appealing that it was hard to resist and not drink the whole bottle right away. A very gentle and soft wine, almost feminine in character.
At the same time so powerful and masculine. It has everything a wine can offer in such a historical and exclusive package that it is challenging
to find anything as stunning as it!...And the celebrated aftertaste. We can still sense it after two long days and nights. A perfect out-of-this-world
experience.
The doyenne of British wine journalists, Jancis Robinson, describes it as follows:
Still bright crimson. Tingling with life and excitement. Rich but reverberating - like celestial sweet Earl Grey tea. Floral, lovely and so FRESH!
This wine floats across the palate. There’s the most amazing transparency to it – it’s not heavy yet it makes an extraordinary impression. Then
the flavours develop on the finish in a peacock’s tail of complexity. I honestly don’t expect ever to taste a wine better than this.
And the hyper-influential US critic Robert Parker says:
The 1947 Cheval Blanc exhibits such a thick texture it could double as motor oil. The huge nose of fruitcake, chocolate, leather, coffee, and
Asian spices is mind-boggling. The unctuous texture and richness of sweet fruit are amazing. Consider the fact that this wine is, technically,
appallingly deficient in acidity and excessively high in alcohol. Moreover, its volatile acidity levels would be considered intolerable by modern
day oenologists. Yet how can they explain that after 47 years the wine is still remarkably fresh, phenomenally concentrated, and profoundly
complex? It has to make you wonder about the direction of modern day winemaking.
In the last few years, we have sold some of the finest bottles of Cheval Blanc 1947 in existence.
Email us to register your interest for future bottles.
Email us to register your interest for future bottles.
Such is this wine's extraordinary reputation that in recent decades it has consistently fetched the highest price of any comparable Bordeaux.
In July 2007 Sotheby's sold a case of 12 for $146,429, and most recently a single bottle fetched in excess of $24000 on auction in Hong Kong.
Cheval Blanc consists of a single plot of land of 37 hectares, just east of the town of St Emilion. The soil is gravel, and is planted with one
third Merlot and two thirds Cabernet France, a proportion not found elsewhere in the region. It is the youngest of the Premier Crus - the estate
was founded as recently as 1854, and remained in the family of the original owners until 1998.
The 1947 vintage was characterized by near perfect weather with very little rain and exceptionally warm conditions from April right through
October, ie throughout the growing and ripening seasons. The unusual heat during harvesting (in excess of 35C), resulting in the grape
berries reaching the fermentation vats very warm, often a recipe for disaster due to resulting overactive fermentation. But while these
problems manifested themselves elsewhere, at Cheval Blanc everything proceeded smoothly, without problems, possibly due to the cooling
effects of the concrete fermentation vats used, and experience developed handling the 1945 vintage, which had been similarly hot. The
grapes were healthy, sweet and rich, and all the musts exceeded an alcohol content of 14% (it was very rare in this era to make a wine of
more than 13%).
Pierre Lurton, who manages the estate on behalf of its owners describes the 1947 as “an accident of nature”. “There is a lot of volatile acidity
which enhances the aromas, with some residual sugar which gives a lot of sweetness and fatness.”
Lurton goes on “1947, 1948, 1949 and 1959 are a fantastic series of vintages for Cheval Blanc, and all the first growths. (The 1947) is still
very young. The wine is so concentrated, elegant and fine. The tannin is velvety. The wine had a long, long finish and there is no dryness.”
In July 2007 Sotheby's sold a case of 12 for $146,429, and most recently a single bottle fetched in excess of $24000 on auction in Hong Kong.
Cheval Blanc consists of a single plot of land of 37 hectares, just east of the town of St Emilion. The soil is gravel, and is planted with one
third Merlot and two thirds Cabernet France, a proportion not found elsewhere in the region. It is the youngest of the Premier Crus - the estate
was founded as recently as 1854, and remained in the family of the original owners until 1998.
The 1947 vintage was characterized by near perfect weather with very little rain and exceptionally warm conditions from April right through
October, ie throughout the growing and ripening seasons. The unusual heat during harvesting (in excess of 35C), resulting in the grape
berries reaching the fermentation vats very warm, often a recipe for disaster due to resulting overactive fermentation. But while these
problems manifested themselves elsewhere, at Cheval Blanc everything proceeded smoothly, without problems, possibly due to the cooling
effects of the concrete fermentation vats used, and experience developed handling the 1945 vintage, which had been similarly hot. The
grapes were healthy, sweet and rich, and all the musts exceeded an alcohol content of 14% (it was very rare in this era to make a wine of
more than 13%).
Pierre Lurton, who manages the estate on behalf of its owners describes the 1947 as “an accident of nature”. “There is a lot of volatile acidity
which enhances the aromas, with some residual sugar which gives a lot of sweetness and fatness.”
Lurton goes on “1947, 1948, 1949 and 1959 are a fantastic series of vintages for Cheval Blanc, and all the first growths. (The 1947) is still
very young. The wine is so concentrated, elegant and fine. The tannin is velvety. The wine had a long, long finish and there is no dryness.”
Petrus 1989 magnum and 1990 double magnum
SOLD.
SOLD.
Chateau Mouton-Rothschild 1945
A Churchill of a Wine - Inimitable, Incomparable
A Churchill of a Wine - Inimitable, Incomparable
"Mouton 45" is a legend in the wine world - there is nothing quite like it. Its renown is likely due to both its extraordinary nose - famously
redolent of eucalyptus - and the symbolism of its date and label, the 'V' representing the hard-won triumph of good over the forces of
darkness. To commemorate the Allied victory, Baron Philippe had the idea of embellishing the Mouton-Rothschild 1945 label with an artwork:
on this occasion, a symbolic design intended to celebrate the return of peace. He commissioned this work froma young unknown artist,
Philippe Julian. M. Julian submitted several drafts for the label, and the final one is based on the 'V for Victory' made famous by Winston
Churchill throughout the war. This marked the beginning of a series of specially designed labels for each vintage. For each year a different
artist was commissioned, and the payment was always in wine.
Michael Broadbent, the renowned British expert, writes in his book "Vintage Wine":
The first thing to notice is its extraordinary colour. I have on more than one occasion recognized the wine by this alone. And its bouquet is
equally distinctive, in fact one of the most astonishing smells ever to emerge from grapes grown out of doors. The power and spiciness surges
out of the glass like a sudden eruption of Mount Etna: cinnamon, eucalyptus, ginger. Impossible to describe but inimitable, incomparable,
and, because of this and its appearance, several times 'guessed' blind. There is simply no other wine like it. Its taste is a component of smell,
its fragrance is reflected on the palate. Still lovely, still vivacious. Seemingly tireless - indeed another half-century anticipated.
The French wine writer Michael Dovaz says:
The robe of this legendary wine has remained dark and opaque, though there is an imperceptible browning at the edge of the disk. The
bouquet is typical of 'flamboyant Mouton' - baroque, spicy, luxuriant, almost uncontrolled. After this the body appears to be disciplined, but it is
there, unfailingly.
The editor of European Fine Wine Magazine, Pekka Nuikki writes:
Deep dark and thick colour. Sound and wide-open, huge, incredibly sweet nose of black currant, coffee and eucalyptus. All the pieces came
together in a perfect balance creating an extraordinary, highly concentrated, luxurious and prosperous wine with a powerful, everlasting
aftertaste.
The doyenne of British wine journalists, Jancis Robinson, describes it as follows:
Very, very dark in colour. Extraordinary concentration in this famous wine. The aromas are just slightly porty in their ripeness and
concentration but then the wine (still) has so much vitality that it rises above it all to be wonderfully vital. Truly a miraculous wine that I had the
pleasure of encountering at the great celebration of the 50th anniversary of the end of the second world war at the British embassy in Paris. So
rich and wonderfully persistent. What a treat!
And the hyper-influential US critic Robert Parker says:
A consistent 100-point wine (only because my point scale stops at that number), the 1945 Mouton-Rothschild is truly one of the immortal
wines of the century. This wine is easily identifiable because of its remarkably exotic, over-ripe, sweet nose of black fruits, coffee, tobacco,
mocha, and Asian spices. It is an extraordinarily dense, opulent, and rich wine, with layers of creamy fruit, behaveing more like a 1947
Pomerol than a structured, powerful, and tannic 1945. The wine finishes with a 60+ second display of ripe fruit, extract, and sweet tannin. This
remarkably youthful wine (only light amber at the edge) is mindboggling! Will it last another 50 years?
redolent of eucalyptus - and the symbolism of its date and label, the 'V' representing the hard-won triumph of good over the forces of
darkness. To commemorate the Allied victory, Baron Philippe had the idea of embellishing the Mouton-Rothschild 1945 label with an artwork:
on this occasion, a symbolic design intended to celebrate the return of peace. He commissioned this work froma young unknown artist,
Philippe Julian. M. Julian submitted several drafts for the label, and the final one is based on the 'V for Victory' made famous by Winston
Churchill throughout the war. This marked the beginning of a series of specially designed labels for each vintage. For each year a different
artist was commissioned, and the payment was always in wine.
Michael Broadbent, the renowned British expert, writes in his book "Vintage Wine":
The first thing to notice is its extraordinary colour. I have on more than one occasion recognized the wine by this alone. And its bouquet is
equally distinctive, in fact one of the most astonishing smells ever to emerge from grapes grown out of doors. The power and spiciness surges
out of the glass like a sudden eruption of Mount Etna: cinnamon, eucalyptus, ginger. Impossible to describe but inimitable, incomparable,
and, because of this and its appearance, several times 'guessed' blind. There is simply no other wine like it. Its taste is a component of smell,
its fragrance is reflected on the palate. Still lovely, still vivacious. Seemingly tireless - indeed another half-century anticipated.
The French wine writer Michael Dovaz says:
The robe of this legendary wine has remained dark and opaque, though there is an imperceptible browning at the edge of the disk. The
bouquet is typical of 'flamboyant Mouton' - baroque, spicy, luxuriant, almost uncontrolled. After this the body appears to be disciplined, but it is
there, unfailingly.
The editor of European Fine Wine Magazine, Pekka Nuikki writes:
Deep dark and thick colour. Sound and wide-open, huge, incredibly sweet nose of black currant, coffee and eucalyptus. All the pieces came
together in a perfect balance creating an extraordinary, highly concentrated, luxurious and prosperous wine with a powerful, everlasting
aftertaste.
The doyenne of British wine journalists, Jancis Robinson, describes it as follows:
Very, very dark in colour. Extraordinary concentration in this famous wine. The aromas are just slightly porty in their ripeness and
concentration but then the wine (still) has so much vitality that it rises above it all to be wonderfully vital. Truly a miraculous wine that I had the
pleasure of encountering at the great celebration of the 50th anniversary of the end of the second world war at the British embassy in Paris. So
rich and wonderfully persistent. What a treat!
And the hyper-influential US critic Robert Parker says:
A consistent 100-point wine (only because my point scale stops at that number), the 1945 Mouton-Rothschild is truly one of the immortal
wines of the century. This wine is easily identifiable because of its remarkably exotic, over-ripe, sweet nose of black fruits, coffee, tobacco,
mocha, and Asian spices. It is an extraordinarily dense, opulent, and rich wine, with layers of creamy fruit, behaveing more like a 1947
Pomerol than a structured, powerful, and tannic 1945. The wine finishes with a 60+ second display of ripe fruit, extract, and sweet tannin. This
remarkably youthful wine (only light amber at the edge) is mindboggling! Will it last another 50 years?
In the last few years, we have sold some of the finest bottles of Mouton Rothschild 1945 in existence.
Email us to register your interest for future bottles.
Email us to register your interest for future bottles.
The fact that this was the first post-war harvest ought to have been enough to immortalize the vintage, but the freak weather conditions made
it even more memorable. In the first few days of May, there was a sudden, heavy, and very late frost, which blackened four-fifths of the
vineyard. The Merlot vines, which flowered earlier than the Cabernets, were the worst affected. Subsequent hot, dry weather soon restored the
situation, but the eventual harvest was extremely small. The yield per hectare was the lowest it had been in 60 years (around 10h per ha). Not
only were there few grapes to a bunch, but the berries were extremely small. The juice was greatly concentrated and the ratio between skin
area and volume was extremely favourable for maximum extraction. So ripe were the grapes, that the musts sometimes attained 15% alcohol.
it even more memorable. In the first few days of May, there was a sudden, heavy, and very late frost, which blackened four-fifths of the
vineyard. The Merlot vines, which flowered earlier than the Cabernets, were the worst affected. Subsequent hot, dry weather soon restored the
situation, but the eventual harvest was extremely small. The yield per hectare was the lowest it had been in 60 years (around 10h per ha). Not
only were there few grapes to a bunch, but the berries were extremely small. The juice was greatly concentrated and the ratio between skin
area and volume was extremely favourable for maximum extraction. So ripe were the grapes, that the musts sometimes attained 15% alcohol.
Three fine magnums of
Mouton-Rothschild 1945
"Reserve du Chateau", sold
by Finest and Rarest.
Mouton-Rothschild 1945
"Reserve du Chateau", sold
by Finest and Rarest.
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