All In All Done: The Picks, Nov 3

Live

Online

Hart Davis Hart (HDH)
This is a typically onerous affair of 1694 lots spread over two days of live auctioneering, each starting at 8am ET and continuing, presumably, until the auctioneers drop dead of exhaustion. This marathon effort is a way to skirt the state of Delaware’s laws requiring no more than 12 auctions a year (this is one auction spread over two days). Fewer, giant, auctions is a legal strategy in DE. 

There are a whopping 445 lots under $1000 (some as low as $20, $30, $40/bottle at the low estimate), so, while your catalog may get stained by the tears of sheer boredom dripping down your face during the 10-hour selling sessions, if you’re shrewd about your bids there are deals to be had. And remember the nice thing about DE is no sales tax.

If I were you, I’d be looking at the below. Dollars are the low estimate.

White Burgundy
● Lot 2301: 2010 Meursault, Les Genevrieres, Henri Boillot
11 bottles,  $950
These 2010s are so precise and so singing, and in a great place right now.

● Lot 2566: 2014 Chassagne-Montrachet Blanc, Morgeot, Bernard Moreau
12 bottles, $1,000
2014 is simply one of the great classic white Burgundy vintages and I’m never disappointed with Moreau.

Red Bordeaux
● Lot 2387: 1989 Chateau Leoville Barton
10 bottles, $900
I drank a large Lafite vertical recently and the standout amongst 15 vintages was the ‘89. I know this isn’t Lafite, but ‘89s are in a pretty place for drinking now.

● Lot 2112-2114:  2000 Chateau Lafite Rothschild
12 bottles, $9,000
This wine was in the above tasting, and I know you don’t need me to tell you ‘00 Lafite is good but it’s really that good. At 26 y/o it shows no signs of slowing down. This is one that will get even better with age, but also increase in value.

Miscellaneous
● Lot 1753: 1977 (3) + 1968 (1) Taurasi Riserva, Mastroberardino
4 bottles, $750
1968 Mastroberardino put Taurasi on the map. If you’ve never had it, this is a must buy wine– especially for blind tastings. It’s practically youthful.

● Lot 1971: 1985 (3) Bruno Paillard, 1985 (3) Bollinger Grande Annee,
6 bottles, $950
I’m not going to tell you that these ‘85s will blow your mind, but I drank the Paillard last year and it’s a great example of fully mature Champagne. This is a great food-Champagne served with people who don’t know the aging properties of Champagne. Not as an aperitif though– it’s nutty, unctuous and not effervescent enough for just standing around drinking.

Acker, online ending 11/9 at 8pm ET
This auction has a huge parcel of Jamet’s 2021 Collines Rhodaniennes ($160 for 12, lots 33542-33552)– this is Jamet’s “entry level” syrah but there’s really nothing entry level about it– I had it just last week and was stunned at the complexity it offers at this price point. It’s lifted and elegant, not heavy at all, and at a very nice level of maturity, offering some secondary characteristics already at 4 years of age.

Well that was fun! Thanks for reading my very first missive, and I hope to join you back in your inbox in 2 weeks.

Cheers
-The Gavel God

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