Château Lafite from the cellar of Nathaniel Rothschild goes under the hammer

Newbury-based auction house Dreweatts is selling a single-owner collection of Château Lafite from the cellar of Nathaniel Rothschild, from Stowell Park, spanning vintages from 1956 to 1997.

The sale, which takes place today, comprises wines from the private collection of the scion of the British branch of the historic Rothschild family – and the wines have been stored in the cellar at Stowell Park in Wiltshire since released by the estate.

According to the auction house, the collection has “both depth and distinction”, but it is the shape of it  that makes it particularly compelling – with “notable” depth across the 1970s, and a range of formats from standard bottles through to double magnums and an Imperial.

The wines comes “from a decade that is often overshadowed but now drinking beautifully”, a spokesperson for Dreweatts said.

“It is a cellar that appears to have been built with long-term cellaring and drinking in mind, rather than short-term trading.”

The collection includes multiple cases of 1970, 1975, 1976 and 1979, which Dreweatts’ senior wine consultant, Mark Robertson shares said captured a moment when “cellar practices were transformed”.

“The 1970, 1975 and 1976 vintages we tasted capture this moment in time. To experience them some 50 years later is a rare privilege,” he said.

He acknowledged that while cellar practices were “simpler” than they are today, “there was a deep understanding of the vineyards and a responsiveness to the conditions of each year— qualities that resonate in every glass.”

“The complexity at this age is extraordinary,” he added. “Each vintage possesses its own distinct character – I adored them all. All are exactly as they should be at this age. There is no doubt that drinking these wines with food will lift everything, especially the conversation.”

In addition to the Lafitte’s, the collection also includes a 1964 Cheval Blanc, and magnums of the “outstanding” 1982 Beychevelle, as well as Burgundies and Champagnes from the 1976, 1996, 1999, and 2002 vintages, as  with esteemed estates such as Krug, Rousseau, Dujac, and de Vogüé.

“This cellar is more than just a Bordeaux museum, it is a tour de force of France’s most revered vineyards,” Drewetts said.

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