1 bottle per lot
Details
THE WINE LIBRARY OF DR. ROBERT MALINER
Dr Robert Maliner, a noted plastic surgeon is one of life’s originals. As handy with a scalpel as he is with a corkscrew he is familiarly known as Bob. He was an early client of Christie’s, whom I first visited at his home in Hollywood, near Miami, in 1970. I recall that first visit to his home, in particular his garden, with the Glades encircling the lawn and dozens of snakes and other beasts traipsing across. As I sipped a venerable old claret I spotted a small alligator staring at me from a pond; perhaps the creature had a hankering for Lafite! I had, on this occasion, been invited to join some of his friends at a tasting of 1953 Clarets. It was then, I believe Bob decided to organise larger tastings which became weekend events, several of which I hosted, or undertook seminars. They were in Miami, conveniently held in February, when my wife and I had a stopover en-route to our holidays in St Barts.
Fine old Claret and Fine old Madeira appeared in James Christie’s first auction 250 years ago in 1766. Madeira consumption at the time was phenomenal, it became less fashionable in the 19th century despite some superb wines being made. The grapes, Bual, Verdelho, Sercial and Malmsey are the best known, Terrantez and Bastardo are far rarer breeds. Over the past fifty years the Wine Department has catalogued and sold many collections, some private and many from companies still well known; Blandy’s, Leacocks, Cossart, Barbeito, Lomelino, Borges spring to mind. Acciaioly is less familiar, in fact before one of my visits to the Island in the 70’s, I had never heard of them. Of Italian origin, the family had huge stocks of early 19th century vintages many of which appear in this remarkable sale. The list of vintages in the Maliner collection is unprecedented; almost every major vintage from the last century to the mid 50’s. Quantities, alas, are small, but rarities by definition are rare and my mouth waters at every single name.
Michael Broadbent M.W.
ANCIENT MADEIRA
Madeira Believed 1792
Madeira
Level: low shoulder; recorked, original cork included, no stenciling, no label, vintage confirmed on handwritten neck tag
“Pale yellow with perfumed sweet butterscotch nose, cognac-like, dry, full of life and zesty, good acidity, balanced, long finish. Delicious with years to go. In my opinion, a Sercial. 18.5-19/20" Dr Maliner in 2016 before re-corking the 1792.
1 bottle per lot
Dr Robert Maliner, a noted plastic surgeon is one of life’s originals. As handy with a scalpel as he is with a corkscrew he is familiarly known as Bob. He was an early client of Christie’s, whom I first visited at his home in Hollywood, near Miami, in 1970. I recall that first visit to his home, in particular his garden, with the Glades encircling the lawn and dozens of snakes and other beasts traipsing across. As I sipped a venerable old claret I spotted a small alligator staring at me from a pond; perhaps the creature had a hankering for Lafite! I had, on this occasion, been invited to join some of his friends at a tasting of 1953 Clarets. It was then, I believe Bob decided to organise larger tastings which became weekend events, several of which I hosted, or undertook seminars. They were in Miami, conveniently held in February, when my wife and I had a stopover en-route to our holidays in St Barts.
Fine old Claret and Fine old Madeira appeared in James Christie’s first auction 250 years ago in 1766. Madeira consumption at the time was phenomenal, it became less fashionable in the 19th century despite some superb wines being made. The grapes, Bual, Verdelho, Sercial and Malmsey are the best known, Terrantez and Bastardo are far rarer breeds. Over the past fifty years the Wine Department has catalogued and sold many collections, some private and many from companies still well known; Blandy’s, Leacocks, Cossart, Barbeito, Lomelino, Borges spring to mind. Acciaioly is less familiar, in fact before one of my visits to the Island in the 70’s, I had never heard of them. Of Italian origin, the family had huge stocks of early 19th century vintages many of which appear in this remarkable sale. The list of vintages in the Maliner collection is unprecedented; almost every major vintage from the last century to the mid 50’s. Quantities, alas, are small, but rarities by definition are rare and my mouth waters at every single name.
Michael Broadbent M.W.
ANCIENT MADEIRA
Madeira Believed 1792
Madeira
Level: low shoulder; recorked, original cork included, no stenciling, no label, vintage confirmed on handwritten neck tag
“Pale yellow with perfumed sweet butterscotch nose, cognac-like, dry, full of life and zesty, good acidity, balanced, long finish. Delicious with years to go. In my opinion, a Sercial. 18.5-19/20" Dr Maliner in 2016 before re-corking the 1792.
1 bottle per lot
Provenance
Christie's, London, Fine and Rare Wines, October 3, 1985, lot 68
Brought to you by
Christies