All In All Done: The Picks 02

Live

Online

There’s not much going on. But I wouldn't look at that as a negative. The major auction houses are between live auctions, which means this is a good week to dive into some of the online sales and pick up some deals.

The only live auction happening in the next 2 weeks is Acker, Delaware, on 11/21- 22.

The auction is over 2,000 lots, featuring a typically Acker-esque roll call of bizarre collector pseudonyms (the international man of mystery, a slice of wine heaven) but is also dedicated inexplicably to Chairman John Kapon's birthday. That aside, the auction also features the private collection of Sebastian Abric, a longtime Acker employee, based in France, who died suddenly earlier in the year. 

It’s the usual mix of high-end Burgundy and Bordeaux, but as you know this newsletter isn't about sifting through mountains of DRC. That said--1052-1054 is a nice section of Dauvissat Chablis from various vineyards with ~20 years of age on it. I've never been a fan of 2005 Chablis, even Les Clos, but there are some others here I think will be quite nice. Lot 1508 is a case of Ulysse Colin "les Maillons," non-vintage Champagne, which will be excellent.

For the sale opening today, Zachys has curated an excellent selection of mature "try it" size lots, so if you've never had something like the (greatest Bordeaux of the modern era) 1989 Haut Brion, you can grab a single bottle (lot 5) for a significant discount off the case price. For those looking to pick up simple drinking Bordeaux with some age, there's a lot here-- huge parcels that will no doubt see a volume discount. To wit: Clos de Sarpe 2000 (lots 75-83). It's not going to change your life but it's an excellent '00 for a fire-sale price and it's great to have around as chili season approaches. If you find a recommendation of Clos de Sarpe offensive to your delicate sensibilities, as I would have 10 years ago before I became jaded, there's lots of great drinking Bordeaux in this sale: I'd also look at 2000 La Chapelle de La Mission (lot 142, starting at less than $100/bottle), 2000 Langoa Barton (149-152) and others.

Zachys has also been closing out wines from JM Guillon for the past six months or so, after he and his US importer severed ties. The wines have apparent oak, and if you don't enjoy that, they're not for you, but there's frankly so much of it you're only ever bidding against the reserve.

I'd also be bidding on lots 868-874, a small selection of Diamond Creek, which always has a place in my heart and never disappoints.

That's it for this round, folks. See you in two weeks.

Cheers
-The Gavel God