12 bottles per lot
Details
Château Mouton Rothschild--Vintage 1959
Pauillac, 1er cru classé
All slightly corroded capsules, six slightly damaged. Good labels, some slightly bin-soiled, two slightly damp-affected and three with very slight nicks. Levels: two top, nine upper and one mid/low shoulder. In original wooden case
Tasting Note: 'Magnificence piled upon magnificence' is what I wrote in 1991, and it still applies. Tasted on over two dozen occasions starting in March 1963, only one less than first rate. Initially deep but not as black or vivid as Latour, it held its colour unwaveringly until the 1990s, yet always rich, with a touch of ruby. But hang the colour, it is the bouquet and flavour which makes this one of the most exhilarating, one of the greatest, vintages of Mouton. At Weinart's blind tasting in 1994 it just beat the '61 and earned my highest marks of the entire tasting, particularly noticing its harmony and 'tea chest of spice' on the nose, and fabulous flavour. Spice, eucalyptus, noted again, and its crisp vivacity aiding and abetting the bouquet - the finest wine at pre-sale tastings in New York in 1996 and 1999. (Christie's wine-buff clients are treated to seriously fine wines before each auction). Jousting with Latour '59 at the Hatchlands dinner in Surrey, it had a glowing immediacy of bouquet and fabulous intensity of flavour. A bravura performance in aid of the Russian National Orchestra With exception of one disappointing bottle in 2002, the last seven notes have been equally ecstatic. In Nov 2003 still deep, rich, with a fine mature rime; sweet on nose and palate, a Mulberry ripe bouquet; full-flavoured, great length, spicy 'like Heitz Martha's vineyard'. Most recently, its spicy, clove-like, nose almost a caricature of itself, reminding me of the '45 and of - again - Martha's eucalyptus. Overall sweet, audacious, lovely. Dry finish. Last tasted November 2005. At frequent best ****** M.B.
12 bottles per lot
Pauillac, 1er cru classé
All slightly corroded capsules, six slightly damaged. Good labels, some slightly bin-soiled, two slightly damp-affected and three with very slight nicks. Levels: two top, nine upper and one mid/low shoulder. In original wooden case
Tasting Note: 'Magnificence piled upon magnificence' is what I wrote in 1991, and it still applies. Tasted on over two dozen occasions starting in March 1963, only one less than first rate. Initially deep but not as black or vivid as Latour, it held its colour unwaveringly until the 1990s, yet always rich, with a touch of ruby. But hang the colour, it is the bouquet and flavour which makes this one of the most exhilarating, one of the greatest, vintages of Mouton. At Weinart's blind tasting in 1994 it just beat the '61 and earned my highest marks of the entire tasting, particularly noticing its harmony and 'tea chest of spice' on the nose, and fabulous flavour. Spice, eucalyptus, noted again, and its crisp vivacity aiding and abetting the bouquet - the finest wine at pre-sale tastings in New York in 1996 and 1999. (Christie's wine-buff clients are treated to seriously fine wines before each auction). Jousting with Latour '59 at the Hatchlands dinner in Surrey, it had a glowing immediacy of bouquet and fabulous intensity of flavour. A bravura performance in aid of the Russian National Orchestra With exception of one disappointing bottle in 2002, the last seven notes have been equally ecstatic. In Nov 2003 still deep, rich, with a fine mature rime; sweet on nose and palate, a Mulberry ripe bouquet; full-flavoured, great length, spicy 'like Heitz Martha's vineyard'. Most recently, its spicy, clove-like, nose almost a caricature of itself, reminding me of the '45 and of - again - Martha's eucalyptus. Overall sweet, audacious, lovely. Dry finish. Last tasted November 2005. At frequent best ****** M.B.
12 bottles per lot
Brought to you by
Simon Tam