Unsurprisingly, the biggest names of Bordeaux dominated Leland Little's auction of investment-grade wines, last week (September 17).
Starring among the fine bottles from France's eminent wine growing region was a lot comprising seven 1996 bottles of the Chateau Mouton Rothschild.
Described in the lot notes as being in "good condition" and contained wrapped within their original tissue, the "subtle and complex... full-bodied" vintage sold with a $1,000-1,500 estimate.
Boasting an "incredible nose... with a very ripe, almost sweet fruit and long, long caressing finish," the "superb" vintage easily topped its pre-sale value, eventually realising $1,900.
 The top lot: seven bottles of the 1996 Chateau Mouton Rothschild |
Just behind it was another Bordeaux big-hitter: three bottles of the Chateau La Mission Haut Brion, this time dating to a golden year of Bordeaux, 1982.
Rightly described by Leland Little as "the greatest La Mission Haut Brion made between the 1975 and 1989" and "one of the most massive wines of the vintage," the trio auctioned with an estimate of $1,200-1,800.
"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," read the auctioneers' tasting notes.
"A thick, unctuously-textured wine with massive richness as well as abundant notes of black fruits, truffles, creosote, scorched earth, smoke, and camphor... concealed by the incredible amount of fruit."
 The 'massive' and legendary 1982 Chateau La Mission Haut Brion |
You can only beat that kind of endorsement with a high rating by the eminent wine critic Robert Parker. And, indeed, Parker famously awarded the 1982 La Mission Haut Brion a full 100-points score.
All the more remarkable then, that the winning bidder acquired these three bottles with a final bid of just $1,900. A fantastic bargain for the lucky collector, as well as a prized addition to their wine cellar.
Leland Little's auction was held in North Carolina.
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