Calling all fine wine lovers
EXPERTS: CRITICS COMMENT ON SOME OF THE FANTASTIC LOTS AVAILABLE ON SUNDAY
Offerings from the world famous Bordeaux and Burgundy regions in France.
Review expert wine critics’ comments on the Strauss & Co fine wine auction collection on Sunday at 11am.
Highlighted Lots from Bordeaux Château Margaux 2000
https://www.straussart.co.za/auctions/ lot/16-may-2021/18
Château Margaux, lot 18, is one of Bordeaux’s most famous wine estates, located just east of Margaux in the Médoc.
Along with Lafite, Latour and Haut-Brion, it was rated as a first growth in the original 1855 Bordeaux Classification of Médoc.
Margaux is considered as the most elegant of the first growths and is one of the most expensive wines in the world.
Château Lafite Rothschild 2000
https://www.straussart.co.za/auctions/ lot/16-may-2021/19
Château Lafite Rothschild, lot 19, is a wine estate in the Pauillac region of the Médoc, producing one of the most sought-after and expensive red wines in the world.
Lafite Rothschild is known for its perfume, elegance, finesse and harmony, in contrast to the more powerful Latour and Mouton Rothschild. Nevertheless, great vintages can age for 50 years or more.
The estate began to earn its reputation as a winemaker in the late 1600s; by the second half of the following century it was known as “The King’s Wine” at Versailles, and had a strong following in London.
The acclaim did not diminish and in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification Lafite was ranked a first growth. It was bought by Baron James de Rothschild in 1868.
Throughout much of the 20th century, despite many sublime wines, Lafite Rothschild was regarded as an inconsistent producer but since the mid-1990s it has become more reliable – in fact, it regularly makes claims for wine of the vintage.
Chateau d’Yquem Sauternes 1962
https://www.straussart.co.za/auctions/ lot/16-may-2021/46
Chateau d`Yquem, lot 46, is often described as the greatest sweet wine in the world and the only Sauternes First Growth of Bordeaux. Few wines in the world have produced consistently noble quality for more than four centuries.
Established in 1593, the estate contains a 110-hectare vineyard planted with 80% Semillon and 20% Sauvignon Blanc.
The wines are created from botrytised fruit that is picked by hand in several passes by up to 150 harvesters.
“The Noble Rot” (Botrytis Cinera) depletes the water content in the berry concentrating the natural sugar levels.
The resultant wine’s high sugar content is matched by high level of acidity allowing the wine to age for more than 50 years in the best vintages.
The opulence of Yquem’s youth turns complex rich and honeyed as it ages.
Highlighted lots from Burgundy Domaine Armand Rousseau Père et Fils Chambertin 1993
https://www.straussart.co.za/auctions/ lot/16-may-2021/90
The family-run Domaine Armand Rousseau, lot 90, is one of Burgundy’s oldest and most revered domaines. They own many Grand Cru plots in Gevrey-Chambertin as well as part of the highly sought-after Premier Cru Clos Saint-Jacques vineyard.
Established in the early 20th century by Armand Rousseau, the domaine initially owned small parcels throughout Gevrey-Chambertin.
Over the next century, under both Armand Rousseau and his son Charles, who took over the reigns in 1959, the domaine acquired various Grand Cru vineyards in Charmes, Mazis and Mazoyères-Chambertin, culminating in a plot in Le Chambertin itself in 1994.
Careful winemaking, which allows for terroir-expression, the sparing use of oak and old vines, all make for elegant and pure wines that are built for long ageing.
Domaine Dujac Bonnes Mares 1993
https://www.straussart.co.za/auctions/ lot/16-may-2021/68
Domaine Dujac, lot 68, was established in 1967 by Jacques Seysses when he purchased Domaine Marcel Graillet, a poor estate of only 4.5 hectares, and renamed it Domaine du Jacques. Overtime, the name evolved into Domaine Dujac.
Today, they hold around 14.5 hectares and cultivate 18.5 hectares in total. Buying parcels as they became available, the domaine expanded over the years and now owns some of the most exceptional holdings, including the Grands Crus of Echézeaux, Bonnes-Mares, Clos Saint Denis, Romanée-Saint-Vivant, Charmes-Chambertin and Clos de la Roche.
Aiming for elegance, finesse and complexity, the quality of their seven Grands Crus are a testament to the domaine being one of the Burgundy’s leading producers.