Today in London and online, Sotheby's is holding a sale of rare and collectible wine.
It is based around Private Collections of Vega Sicilia and Château Léoville Lascases. Sotheby's Serena Sutcliffe MW commented:
"We are particularly excited to be offering such a complete collection of Vega Sicilia, Spain's most mythical wine. Vega Sicilia is a name that resounds throughout the world, an emblem for its country and a landmark for serious wine collectors everywhere."
The Vega Sicilia with the highest expectations in the sale is Vega Sicilia, 'Unico' 1968. It appears to have been beautifully preserved and is offered in its original wooden case. Serena Sutcliffe describes the vintage as follows:
"Almost "Burgundian" on the nose. Sweet, ripe and classy. Great finesse of texture. Lots of fruit and attack. Great chocolate at the finish." The twelve bottles have been given a guide price of £6800-8000.
More famous names such as Château Lafite (including the 2000 vintage) and Château Mouton Rothschild (including 1959) are also on offer. But there is one lot with much higher expectations.
The rare, complete case of 12 bottles of Romanée Conti 1988 (Côte de Nuits, Grand Cru) leads the sale with an estimate of £35,000-50,000. The case was banded before its inspection, and levels of the straw-wrapped bottles are ullaged by 3cm or less.
The sale at Sotheby's is starting now, with some of the most exciting lots going under the hammer in the mid-afternoon.
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