Rhône-Style Wines
Timed Online Auction, 28 January - 9 February 2026
The Distinguished Cellar of David Brice: A Rhône Collection
About the SessionThe late David Brice was a respected wine connoisseur, collector and co-founder of Wine Cellar, fine wine merchants. His lifelong passion for wine from all corners of the world wine, and generosity, helped develop a culture of fine wine in South Africa and beyond. Always with value and authenticity in mind, the collection spans a wide range of styles from leading producers and diverse regions. The wines were professionally imported under refrigeration and carefully stored at Wine Cellar thereafter. Many of the producers are not available in South Africa and provide an excellent buying opportunity.
The Rhône valley was one of David’s favoured regions, known for its diverse range of reds and whites. These were quintessential French wines from excellent easy-drinking, to fine, long-term treasures. He enjoyed wines from all the villages from Vaucluse to Vacqueyras, and Cornas to Côte-Rôtie. David focused on top vintages for long-term maturation and lesser vintages for earlier drinking. The highlight perhaps is his deep collection of top Châteauneuf-du-Pape from great vintages like 2010 and 2007.
About this Item
Provenance
The late David Brice was a respected wine connoisseur, collector and co-founder of Wine Cellar, fine wine merchants. His lifelong passion for wine from all corners of the world wine, and generosity, helped develop a culture of fine wine in South Africa and beyond. Always with value and authenticity in mind, the collection spans a wide range of styles from leading producers and diverse regions. The wines were professionally imported under refrigeration and carefully stored at Wine Cellar thereafter. Many of the producers are not available in South Africa and provide an excellent buying opportunity.
The Rhône valley was one of David's favoured regions, known for its diverse range of reds and whites. These were quintessential French wines from excellent easy-drinking, to fine, long-term treasures. He enjoyed wines from all the villages from Vaucluse to Vacqueyras, and Cornas to Côte-Rôtie. David focused on top vintages for long-term maturation and lesser vintages for earlier drinking. The highlight perhaps is his deep collection of top Châteauneuf-du-Pape from great vintages like 2010 and 2007.
For more detailed information on the lots, please feel free to contact Roland Peens (roland@winecellar.co.za). Roland spent many years sharing and enjoying these wines with David Brice and is happy to provide further insight into the collection.
Critics Ratings
‘Singed mesquite and alder notes lead the way in this slight throwback-styled offering, with a core of steeped blackberry and red currant fruit flavors showing extra light bay, leather and dried garrigue nuances throughout. The sanguine-edged finish has subtle persistence. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. Best from 2024 through 2036’ - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 93/100 (Dec 2021)
‘Vivid ruby. A complex, highly perfumed bouquet evokes ripe red and blue fruits, potpourri and smoky minerals. A spicy white pepper hint sharpens the sweet blueberry, cherry and floral pastille flavors. Finishes on a gently tannic note, leaving repeating floral and blue fruit notes behind. 2024-2032’ - Josh Raynolds, Vinous, 93/100 (Jan 2023)
‘The 2019 Gigondas La Tour Sarrasine shows a touch more finesse and elegance, with beautiful red and blue fruits as well as notes of new saddle leather, lavender, and herbes de Provence. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has terrific fruit, silky tannins, and great balance. It’s not over the top in any way, has a pure, seamless mouthfeel, and is another terrific Gigondas from this estate. A blend of 70% Grenache and 15% each of Syrah and Mourvèdre, it will evolve gracefully for 10-15 years.’ - Jeb Dunnuck, 92/100 (Jan 2022)
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