All In All Done: The Picks 03

Christie’s

We'll start with December 5 & 6 at Christie's: "The Historic Collection of Juergen Schwartz." This collection is old school-- huge verticals of major Bordeaux Chateaux, with all the right provenance (for the most part) like the Zachys "Lafite Direct" sale and the HRH Prince Robert of Luxembourg Sotheby's sale. 



If you want 19th-century Bordeaux, there are probably some deals to be had here--typically the "Chateau direct" bump in price would have happened when Juergen bought the wine. Now you're sort of getting sloppy seconds. The prices may be lower than they were at the original sale, but the wine will be fine, as long as Christie's can attest that it's been stored correctly since those auctions. 



There's also a ton of Bordeaux with fairly unknown provenance, and sort of non-specific re-corking info. If you're into that, you're fairly alone, so there may be deals to be had, but it can be a gamble. That said, the majority of this collection--at least the US portion--is really not what AIAD.wine is all about (19th century Bordeaux eg). If you wanted to go a bit deeper than the old Bordeaux, there are actually a few value-driven wines from Italy towards the end. Lots 698-706 are all from Voerzio and offer great value.

Remember though, that along with Sotheby's, Christie's hasn't moved to Delaware, so be sure to factor in an additional ~9% for sales tax if you bid.

Zachys

Zachys has put together an excellent two-day auction on December 11 & 12. December 11 starts with spirits only (located in NY, sales tax due), and then transitions into wine in a streamed sale. Day 2, is all wine, in DE (so no tax) and is live at Ai Fiori. If you've never been to a live auction (a dying breed) as opposed to a "bidding party," it's worth stopping by. Lunch is free, good wines are served and you can come and go as you please. It's worth seeing, at least once. 

This auction is a who's who of winemakers-- everything from lengthy stretches of Bordeaux, to exceptional mature Burgundy from very rare vintages. It's always nice to see over 300 bottles of Screaming Eagle in an auction with 400 bottles of Petrus, with 1985 Sassicaia and plenty of Roumier, Rousseau, and DRC--to me it indicates some degree of strength in the market.

Here's what I'd be bidding on, beneath the radar:

● Lots 1810-1811, Krug MV in magnums. This is always a great deal and essential to have on hand. 

● Lots 1086 (1990) and 2210 (1989) La Conseillante. Always one of my favorite performing wines from these two vintages and a tenth of the cost of one of the legends like Haut-Brion (which is also in this sale, if that's your budget).

● In Burgundy, lot 1058 is Chassagne Montrachet Les Ruchottes from Ramonet and in the 2010 vintage, which never disappoints. At $750 for 4 bottles at the time of writing, you can't go wrong.

● The preceding lot, 1057 is 10 bottles of the same wine from the 2007 vintage, a bit more at $2400 as of now, but also a stunner.

● Or move to lot 1053, the Grand Cru Bienvenues Batard Montrachet Ramonet, also from 2010, and $600 for 1 but may change your life.

● Everyone should try Dujac from the hey-day of Jacques, so lot 2292, a single of Charmes Chambertin Domaine 1985 isn't cheap at $2600 but is revelatory.

● On the red Burgundy side of things this auction has a ton--but to be honest, only if you're looking for the best of the best-- DRC, Roumier Musigny, Rousseau and so on, and that's not what AIAD is really about. I do have a soft spot for Gouges, and lot 1990 is 9 bottles of the '99 Vaucrains for $900. It has a reputation as being "rustic" but with this much age I quite like it.

● For Italy, I'd definitely be bidding on lot 1090–Barolo Bartolo Mascarello from 1990 for only $2200 for 9 bottles.

● I'd be remiss if I didn't point out lot 2184, the Taurasi Riserva Mastroberardino 1968, a single bottle for $500, which seems like a lot but this wine slays, as they say, in a blind tasting. This is the vintage that put Taurasi on the map and is as youthful as if it were made yesterday.

● This is also going to be a great auction for picking up some "drinking Bordeaux," as there are some deep parcels I'm sure won't get all that much interest. Lots 1558-1562 are full cases of Anseillan du Chateau Lafite Rothschild 2020 for $600/case. 

Sotheby’s

The Sotheby's New York auction on December 12 & 13 has some great wines-- caveat though, this one is also NOT in Delaware, so be sure to factor in sales tax in addition to your bids.

●Lots 86-87 are full cases of 2014 Gevrey Chambertin "Champ" from Duroche at only $500/case. In fact lots 82-93 all from Duroche deserve your attention as this wine is going to continue to increase in price. 

Unlike the Zachys sale which is focused on the best of the best, this auction has a ton of affordable red Burgundy including:

●Lot 241: Morey St. Denis, La Riotte 2015 from Lignier at only $600 for 6.

●Lot 271: Bonnes Mares 2010 Groffier, 2 bottles at $750. 

●Lots 330-335, all from Ben Leroux, various vineyards and vintages, but if you've ever met Ben you know that not only is he a well-respected and talented winemaker, he's also a great guy. Even in so-called off vintages I'd add these to the cellar.

●Lots 339-340 are Clos de la Roche and Clos de Vougeot, both 2015 from Coquard-Loison-Fleurot. 6 bottles each and only $600 per lot. 

And on and on. Look at wines from Follin-Arbelet, Bertheau and Forey as well. 

For my money-- I'd focus on the red Burgundy from Sotheby's, the white Burgundy from Zachys (unless you want the legends, in which case Zachys is the only option for red Burg this month), and probably skip Christie's altogether.

Acker and HDH have auctions December 18 and 19, so more on those later.

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Cheers
-The Gavel God