Archived

A Single-Owner Private Collection of Fine Wines from Bordeaux, Burgundy, Alsace and Champagne

3 May 2021

The wines are in immaculate condition, having been stored in a large private cellar in Bishopscourt, Cape Town since import in the mid-2000s. The Bordeaux line-up includes five benchmark 1982s along with thirteen 2000s, including sealed cases of Chateau Margaux and Lafite. Vintages stretch back to a stunning bottle of 1962 Chateau d’Yquem! The Burgundy collection hosts the most iconic names in Armand Rousseau, Dujac and Roumier with Grand Crus back to 1988! Vintage Bonneau du Martray, Lafarge and Faiveley feature along with vintage Champagnes as well as top sweet wines from around the world. 

This Single-Owner Private Collection of Fine Wines will be going under the hammer as a Virtual Live Auction on Sunday, 16 May at 11am.

Highlighted Lots from Bordeaux

Château Margaux 2000

Château Margaux is one of Bordeaux’s most famous wine estates, located just east of Margaux itself in the Médoc. Along with Lafite, Latour and Haut-Brion, it was rated as a first growth in the original 1855 Bordeaux Classification of the Médoc. Generally, Margaux is considered as the most elegant of the first growths, and is consistently one of the most expensive wines in the world.

‘Noticeably deep in color, the bouquet rivets you to the seat with copious red berry fruit, clove and truffle, hints of cedar emerging with time. As the aromatics open and aerate, the fruit profile seems to darken and manifests blackcurrants and bilberries. The palate is medium-bodied with filigree tannin. There is immense depth and symmetry conveyed by this First Growth, quite masculine for the estate with a gentle but insistent grip. It is a brilliant wine that flirts with perfection. Afford it another 3-4 years if you can, because it will last decades.’ – Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, 98/100 (Feb 2017)

Château Lafite Rothschild 2000

Château Lafite Rothschild 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 winemaking property 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.

‘This is remarkably young, with a deep well of succulent black currant, fig and blackberry fruit notes that feel 10 years younger than most peers, carried by wave upon wave of velvety tannins. Despite the density and heft, there’s glorious length and finesse too, with alluring black tea, smoldering charcoal and warm paving stone notes just starting to emerge. Awesome wine.–Blind 2000 Bordeaux retrospective. Best from 2018 through 2043. 16,000 cases made.‘ – James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 98/100 (Dec 2015)

Chateau d’Yquem Sauternes 1962

Chateau d`Yquem 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 4 centuries.

‘Clear lucid gold with green tints. The nose is very elegant and well defined, touches of wet wool, honey, wood resin and barley sugar (a la Barsac). The palate is far better than the nose with a lovely creamy, harmonious texture with perfect acidity and balance. Citrus peel, fresh ginger, dried apricot, ginger and orange sorbet with noticeable residual sugar on the finish. This is probably an underrated Yquem given market prices, but the modest nose means I must temper my appraisal.’ – Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, 91/100 (Mar 2010)

Highlighted lots from Burgundy

Domaine Armand Rousseau Père et Fils Chambertin 1993

The family-run Domaine Armand Rousseau 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.

Superb. Full ample spread of autumnal aromas was followed by seriously rich, intense fruit, some slight gaminess but overall beautifully refreshing on the finish. Utterly complete. Such vitality.’ – Jancis Robinson, JancisRobinson.com, 19,5/20 (Nov 2015)

Domaine Dujac Bonnes Mares 1993

Domaine Dujac 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 – a playful moniker. 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.

‘An explosive, extremely complex and high-toned nose mixes primary and secondary aromas of roasted plums, earth and redcurrants introduces pungent, precise and firm flavors that possess real drive. This is sweet and bright on the palate though the flavors do show a trace of unintegrated wood on the otherwise long, velvety and impressively complex finish.’ – Allen Meadows, Burghound.com, 92/100 (Mar 2008)

Domaine Georges Roumier Bonnes-Mares 1991

The Domaine was founded in 1924 by Georges Roumier. He began domaine bottling in 1945 and it is now one of the longest-established in domaine bottling in the Côte D’Or. This practice also helped grow the reputation of Domaine Roumier, which is known for producing highly-rated, sought-after wines. The 11.8-hectare domaine is run today by Georges son, Jean-Marie, and grandson, Christophe.

‘The perfumed and complex nose is really lovely with fine breadth, though some sous-bois. There is good richness and volume to the medium-bodied flavors that offer the same reasonably good depth as the nose but the finish, while by no means short, lacks vibrancy and lift’. – Allen Meadows, Burghound.com (Jun 2016)

Domaine Bonneau du Martray Corton-Charlemagne 2005

Domaine Bonneau du Martray is one of the most famous estates in Corton Charlemagne. The property was owned by the same family for over two centuries until, in 2017, it was sold to Stan Kroenke, the owner of the world-renowned American estate, Screaming Eagle. In the 8th Century, the estate belonged to Emperor Charlemagne who, legend has it, liked the wine of Corton so much that he gave his name to it. Jean Le Bault, Count of Morinière, inherited the estate in 1969 from his uncle, René Bonneau du Martray, and in 1994 Jean-Charles de la Morinière took over from his father. Domaine Bonneau du Martray only produces Grands Crus. In 1996, after geographically surveying the domaine’s parcels and its nine different soil types, Jean-Charles started vinifying the parcels separately.

‘Lovely smoky nose with real richness underneath. Charming breadth but no lack of tension. Not fat at all though very intense. Powerful and mineral. Opened five days ago. Apparently it tastes just the same. Very fresh and firm and with great spine.’ – Jancis Robinson, JancisRobinson.com, 18,5/20 (Nov 2009)

Domaine Michel Lafarge Volnay Clos Du Des Ducs 1990

Domaine Lafarge, located in Volnay, was established in the 18th century and has remained in the family since. Michel Lafarge joined the family business and began working with his father in the late 1940s. Michel was a pioneer in biodynamic viticulture in Burgundy and also one of the first to start bottling his wines for export. Today Lafarge is managed by Michel’s son, Frédéric, and is known to produce some of the most sought-after Volnay wines.

Strauss & Co’s second marquee virtual live sale of 2021 will commence on Sunday 16 May with the Single-Owner Private Collection of Fine Wines. The sale will be livestreamed from Johannesburg to bidders across the world, with the option of in-person bidding at Strauss & Co’s offices in Houghton. Covid-19 safety protocols apply throughout.