All In All Done: The Picks 05

Acker’s next live sale isn't until Jan 31, but as usual, there are some nice taster-sized lots online. Here’s what I’m looking at, but first, a note on navigating this particular auction:

Acker doesn’t break up it’s online lots by page, so I can’t link you directly. Instead, just pop into the “Jump To Lot #" to navigate my recommendations. And if you happen to know their web developer, tell them I have thoughts.

Lot 2166: 2 bottles of 2012 Paul Pernot Bienvenue Batard Montrachet for $420 (low estimate). 

In fact, that whole section of 2160-2166 is Paul Pernot. I especially like 2164, which is the 2007 Bienvenue. I recently drank a 2007 Roulot Meursault-Charmes and man--the platonic ideal of what white Burgundy can be.

This auction also has a few single-bottle lots of 1989 Haut Brion, a contender for the greatest Bordeaux of the modern era (lots 2108-2109). The notes on the wine are "hstl, tal, hfl" (heavily stained, tattered and faded labels) so while the price is good (starting at $1300) I would contact Acker and make sure you're 100% comfortable with the provenance before bidding. Tattered and faded labels could be nothing, but it also could be an indication of poor storage. If you ask, and they're wishy-washy on the response, I wouldn't bid.

This auction has a lot of CA wine little of which holds any intrigue for me. But there are some nice Italian wines such as lots 1957-1960, which are all Rinaldi Barolo with nearly 3 decades of bottle age--not something you see all that often and at ~$300 a bottle a great buy. I also like lots 1900 and 1901, both Burlotto Monvigliero Barolo from 2014 at $420.

If you depleted your Champagne supply on New Year's Eve, I can't tell you that there are deals in January like there are for Christmas tree lights, but this auction has 11 bottles of 2006 Vilmart Grand Cellier Rubis for $800 (lot 1851) and 9 bottles 2000 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne for $1400 (lot 1849) both of which are stellar. 

And for the geeks out there, lot 1854 is 4 bottles of 2013 Roches Neuves Franc de Pied at $150. "Franc de Pied" is ungrafted vines and, while it may not be for everyone, this is a really excellent wine to slip into your next blind tasting.

I have to admit: there's not much. It's one thing to hold a $30M auction from wines from Bill Koch (a consignment no doubt tied to the house's huge auction of his American paintings later this month, including a stunning Remington if you've got ten mil to burn on a canoe and a moose), it's another to put together (convince consignors to put together) a wide-ranging multivendor sale.

That said, I like:

Lot 125, some 2014 Dauvissat "les Clos," one of my favorite recent vintages of the wine.

Lot 162 and 163  some 1942 Ygay, with great fills and 1964 Lopez de Heredia. These have to be "the" deal out there for 80-year old wine. You're not going to get Bordeaux at this price.

There's some old Madeira to finish out the sale, none of which is all that interesting, plus a large section of DRC and Screaming Eagle (if you're into that).

And don't forget to factor in the premium, plus sales tax.

I like lots 361 and 362, both magnums of Batard Montrachet JN Gagnard 2002, the former four, the latter two depending on your needs.

Lot 376 is Riesling Scharzhof Egon Muller 2021, three magnums. This is the only Riesling I'd buy in mag. I'm not a huge fan in general of the grape, but this is excellent.

I'd also bid on lot 74, eight bottles of Ulysse Collin Blanc de Blancs Les Pierrieres (not a typo). This is from a minuscule plot and is the hidden gem of this whole auction. If you want to try truly other-worldly champagne, get this. This is why you come to All In All Done–so you don't miss this lot.

That ought to get you through January. Thanks for sticking with me. Back in 2 weeks.

Cheers
-The Gavel God