Beschreibung:

AN UNPARALLELED OPPORTUNITY TO ACQUIRE DOMAINE DE LA ROMANEE-CONTI FROM THE MOST SUCCESSFUL VINTAGES OF THE PAST GENERATION, AS WELL AS HIGHLY DESIRABLE OFFERINGS OF FIRST GROWTH CLARET, WHITE BORDEAUX AND ASSORTED GEMS The offering of this collection provides collectors with a unique chance to acquire the crème de la crème of wines from around the globe - all in exceptional condition. Starting with Burgundy, the core of this cellar, we present more than a dozen DRC Assortments from 1978 to 2001, many found in the cellar banded as they were originally shipped. They are followed by original cases of all of the six Grands Cru red DRC vineyards and nine vintages of the low-production Montrachet. More Grand Cru white Burgundy and a wonderful methuselah of Cristal 1990 bottled for the Millennium follow before we turn to Bordeaux. In Bordeaux, we visit all the First Growths of the Médoc, the "firsts" of Pomerol and St. Emilion amongst a star-studded line up of personal favourites of this passionate collector. A few precious cases of white Bordeaux, some special Tuscans and Rhônes round out a wonderful group that represents a mere portion of this extensive cellar. All of these wines were removed by Christie's Wine Department specialists from this collector's temperature-controlled, sub-terranean, home cellar and a dedicated off-site industry-leading, temperature-controlled storage facility, both maintaining ideal conditions for the storage of fine wine. Samples from this collection will be made available at the evening tasting and dinner at Per Se on September 23, 2005. Lots 645-916. Richard Brierley and Justin Christoph DOMAINE DE LA ROMANEE-CONTI The Domaine de la Romanée-Conti has long been described as the 'central pearl' of the Côte de Nuits. For several centuries now, its wines have been treasured for their strength, finesse and longevity. The Domaine's records go back to 1512 and the monks of St. Vivant. The current owners, the de Villaine family acquired the estate in the 1870s. The Domaine consists of two wholly owned 'monopole' wines: Romanée- Conti (1.81ha) and La Tâche (6.06ha), with major holdings in the grands crus of Richebourg, Grands-Echézeaux, Romanée-St-Vivant and Echézeaux (all represented here). DRC also has a very small holding of Montrachet (0.68ha). MB, Vintage Wine DRC Assortment--Vintage 1978 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Echézeaux Levels: one 3cm, one 4.5cm; bin soiled labels (2) Richebourg Levels: one 2.5cm, one 4cm; bin soiled labels, one torn label (2) Romanée-Saint-Vivant Levels: one 3.5cm, one 4cm; slightly damp soiled labels (2) La Tâche Levels: two 2.5cm, one 4cm; bin soiled labels (3) Romanée-Conti Level: 3cm (1) Grands-Echézeaux Levels: two at 4cm, one torn label (2) In original wooden case, banded prior to inspection The Domaine de la Romanee-Conti made magnificent wines in 1978, and I recently drank La Tâche 1978, which was at its apogee of richness, spice, complexity and length. By all accounts Romanée-Conti excelled in this vintage, and this should now be making superb drinking, with all the mystery and fascination associated with this exquisite vineyard. AH 12 bottles per lot