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1 bottle per lot
Details
THREE CENTURIES OF THE RAREST LATOUR FROM THE MALBEC FAMILY COLLECTION
The family name of Malbec is inextricably linked with the history and development of Chateau Latour over a large part of the last 80 years. In 1937 Camille Malbec arrived in Pauillac and started working for the chateau in vineyard and winery. His son, Jean-Noël, was 4 years old when the family moved to Chateau Latour. In his turn, Jean-Noël grew up to follow in the footsteps of Camille. becoming a trusted member of the Latour team at a time where the efficiency of the entire workforce was likely considered as important as the name or contribution of any named individual.
In 1969, the family was blessed with the arrival of the 3rd generation with the birth directly at the property, of Denis. Inevitably, he also joined the Latour team in due course and following an early period of studies in enology in Bordeaux which he finished in Reims, Champagne, he became winemaker at Latour in 1994 - coinciding with the new ownership of the estate under French billionaire and entrepreneur, Francois Pinault.
During the tenure of these three generations, the Malbecs of course collected an impressive range of Latour with vintages dating back into the 19th century. As Denis was to occupy the position of wine maker throughout the 1990's, he took the opportunity to ensure all the older bottles in his cellar were reconditioned where appropriate, being recorked, re capsuled and relabelled under the controlled conditions of the Latour cellars where the bottles had started their long journey to maturity.
In 2000, Denis decided that new winemaking challenges lay ahead and with his wife May-Britt, who he met while both were working at Latour, they finally gravitated to the Napa Valley to establish a new independent winery producing award-winning wines for a new audience. All seemed idyllic. Very tragically in 2016 however, Denis was killed in a road accident in Yountville, Napa and the wine world mourned the sad loss of such a talented and versatile advocate.
Following a period of careful consideration, May-Britt have now decided to part with a selection of the wines from the collection to allow new owners to enjoy some of the famous and fabled vintages from the illustrious history of this, Pauillac's most legendary vineyard. All the bottles in this sale, lots 636 to 713, have been collected for inspection from the family cellar - literally a stone's throw from the boundary of the Latour vineyard - and then transported in controlled conditions to our cellars in the UK. For the entirety of their history prior to this shipment, the bottles therefore moved no more than half a mile from their birthplace, resting either at the Château or in the family cellar. All are packed in new wooden cases, the majority supplied at the Chateau, either at the time of purchase or reconditioning.
Château Latour 1863
Pauillac, 1er cru classé
Modern capsule. Bin-soiled label. Hand blown glass. Level: into-neck
Tasting note: Only tasted once, though a bottle at a Christie’s Latour tasting in New York a couple of years ago was reported to be the star of the show. This certainly corresponds to my much earlier note: incredible depth of colour; beautiful, lingering bouquet; touch of sweetness, full body and fruit, soft yet perfectly harmonious. Great wine, perfect drink. Dining at the Château, March 1970 **** M.B.
1 bottle per lot
The family name of Malbec is inextricably linked with the history and development of Chateau Latour over a large part of the last 80 years. In 1937 Camille Malbec arrived in Pauillac and started working for the chateau in vineyard and winery. His son, Jean-Noël, was 4 years old when the family moved to Chateau Latour. In his turn, Jean-Noël grew up to follow in the footsteps of Camille. becoming a trusted member of the Latour team at a time where the efficiency of the entire workforce was likely considered as important as the name or contribution of any named individual.
In 1969, the family was blessed with the arrival of the 3rd generation with the birth directly at the property, of Denis. Inevitably, he also joined the Latour team in due course and following an early period of studies in enology in Bordeaux which he finished in Reims, Champagne, he became winemaker at Latour in 1994 - coinciding with the new ownership of the estate under French billionaire and entrepreneur, Francois Pinault.
During the tenure of these three generations, the Malbecs of course collected an impressive range of Latour with vintages dating back into the 19th century. As Denis was to occupy the position of wine maker throughout the 1990's, he took the opportunity to ensure all the older bottles in his cellar were reconditioned where appropriate, being recorked, re capsuled and relabelled under the controlled conditions of the Latour cellars where the bottles had started their long journey to maturity.
In 2000, Denis decided that new winemaking challenges lay ahead and with his wife May-Britt, who he met while both were working at Latour, they finally gravitated to the Napa Valley to establish a new independent winery producing award-winning wines for a new audience. All seemed idyllic. Very tragically in 2016 however, Denis was killed in a road accident in Yountville, Napa and the wine world mourned the sad loss of such a talented and versatile advocate.
Following a period of careful consideration, May-Britt have now decided to part with a selection of the wines from the collection to allow new owners to enjoy some of the famous and fabled vintages from the illustrious history of this, Pauillac's most legendary vineyard. All the bottles in this sale, lots 636 to 713, have been collected for inspection from the family cellar - literally a stone's throw from the boundary of the Latour vineyard - and then transported in controlled conditions to our cellars in the UK. For the entirety of their history prior to this shipment, the bottles therefore moved no more than half a mile from their birthplace, resting either at the Château or in the family cellar. All are packed in new wooden cases, the majority supplied at the Chateau, either at the time of purchase or reconditioning.
Château Latour 1863
Pauillac, 1er cru classé
Modern capsule. Bin-soiled label. Hand blown glass. Level: into-neck
Tasting note: Only tasted once, though a bottle at a Christie’s Latour tasting in New York a couple of years ago was reported to be the star of the show. This certainly corresponds to my much earlier note: incredible depth of colour; beautiful, lingering bouquet; touch of sweetness, full body and fruit, soft yet perfectly harmonious. Great wine, perfect drink. Dining at the Château, March 1970 **** M.B.
1 bottle per lot
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