‘Greatest offerings of rare and mature California wines’ comes to auction
Christie’s is auctioning the cellar of a Silicon valley pioneer – a single‑owner collection of breadth and depth assembled over 50 years “for the simple pleasure of enjoying great bottles with friends and family at the end of a hard‑working day”, while boasting some “unicorns” of “extraordinary provenance” and “impeccable storage” from the US and Europe.
Highlights of the sale include wines from Bordeaux; Château Lafleur 1970 (estimate: $9,000–13,000), some rare Right Bank offerings from the 1960s and 1970s; as well as “benchmark” Burgundy from Domaine de la Romanée‑Conti, Georges Roumier, Rousseau, and Méo‑Camuzet, “unicorn” wines from the Rhône, including a full, unopened case of 1989 Gentaz‑Dervieux Côte‑Rôtie Côte Brune Cuvée Reservée (estimate: $24,000–35,000). There is also a selection of Italian wines, including full case of Bruno Giacosa Barolo Cru Vigna Rionda di Serralunga d’Alba 1967 (estimate: $8,500–12,000) in its original carton, and eight bottles of Giuseppe Rinaldi Barolo Riserva Selezionata Brunate 1985 (estimate: $3,200-4,200).
However, it is California that offers some of the broadest selection, comprising one of the greatest offerings of rare and mature California wines “ever to come to auction”, Christie’s said.
Christie’s head of wine, Americas, Chris Munro called it “one of those collections that would enter the annals of wine auction history”, where “every bottle reflects decades of knowledge, care, and genuine passion”.
“This is a true single‑owner collection in the purest sense, built not for investment, but for the joy of sharing great wine. Opportunities to acquire bottles of this calibre, with provenance of this quality, are extraordinarily rare,” he said.
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Highlights include Heitz Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon Martha’s Vineyard 1974 (estimate: $16,000–22,000), Ridge Monte Bello from the 1970s and 1980s, 1960s Inglenook, ten bottles of Mayacamas 1974 (estimate: $6,000-8,000); six bottles of the Judgement of Paris tasting winner, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars SLV Cabernet Sauvignon 1973 (estimate: $15,000–20,000); and six bottles of Freemark Abbey 1969 (estimate: $3,500-4,500).
In addition to the wine, the auction will conclude with three bottles of nineteen‑year‑old Van Winkle Special Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey, bottled for the Corti Brothers of Sacramento culinary institution the Corti Brothers Grocery Store, (estimate: $45,000–60,000).
Munro also pointed tot he “impeccable provenance” of the wines – with most bottles showing levels at base of neck “or better”, having been stored meticulously in a purpose‑built, temperature‑controlled cellar
“This sale offers a rare opportunity to acquire historic wines with flawless storage and provenance — one of the most significant private cellars Christie’s has presented in recent years,” he said.
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