• 1 – 6 Liter 1999 Château Lafite Rothschild
• 1 – 3 Liter 2002 Château Lafite Rothschild
• 6 – 1.5 Liter 1989 Château Lafite Rothschild
• 12 – 750ml 1985 Château Lafite Rothschild
• Three (3) one-of-a-kind frames of Lafite Rothschild wine labels (from mid-1800's – 1990)

Since the time of Thomas Jefferson, one word is all that is required for instant recognition of perhaps the greatest wine in the world – simply LAFITE. Is Lafite the greatest? Baron Elie de Rothschild put it this way: “Use your own judgment, above all humour your own taste – you are the person to decide what, for you, is the best wine.” Of course, the Baron must have winked as he said this.

This lot offers a splendid collection of recent Lafites, beginning with the graceful 1985 vintage. Scoring a solid 90 points, it shows a beautiful bouquet of cedar and cherries, with highly refined tannins and a lovely sweet fruit finish. This Lafite sets the perfect background for measuring the greatness of the wines to follow in this lot. With 12 bottles, you will have ample opportunity to enjoy and compare the variations of style Lafite has to offer.

The 94-point rated 1989 Lafite is a bit of a sleeper – an outstanding, if somewhat overlooked wine. With a rich bouquet of berries and tobacco, this wine is elegant, understated and an outstanding example of the fine delicate style the winemakers of Lafite are capable of producing. Assembled here in six Magnums, they would be ideal for special dinner parties.

As the 1989 is delicate, the 95-point rated 1999 Lafite is a blockbuster. It is quite simply prodigious and intense, without being overly weighty. A rich ruby color, a harmonious bouquet of cedar, chestnuts, minerals and fruit, and a wonderfully long finish on the palate. Above all, this is truly a trophy wine – a magnificent six liter Imperial. Writing in The New York Times, Eric Asimov has said, “… you don’t just find an Imperial. It grips you the way the view of Mt. Rainier strikes people on a clear day… nothing about an Imperial isn’t big.” By all means, display this trophy in your own cellar as your friends gaze in awe.

Partisanship aside, the 2002 Lafite scored an impressive 95-points and is the Bordeaux wine of the vintage. From the first “en primeur” barrel tastings, the firm tannins and incredible silky textures revealed a wine of longevity and elegance. This wine unfolds layer upon layer, building in power and complexity, Cabernet and Merlot in a happy marriage of depth and richness, offered here in another striking Double Magnum.

Rounding out these wonderful wines are three frames of Lafite Rothschild labels beginning in the mid 1800s and continuing through the early 1990s. These labels were collected from a tasting and dinner held in the mid 1990s which was attended by the donor and Serena Sutcliff, M.W., head of Sotheby’s Wine Department along with other notables in the wine industry. A magazine article describing the event is attached to one of the frames. These labels were professionally removed from the bottles and mounted using only museum quality materials. Like the wines, a label collection of this magnitude would take years to obtain if obtainable at all. This grouping of labels is a fine piece of art which showcases the most famous vineyard in the world and is for the collector who has it all and recognizes the significance of this piece of history of the Lafite Rothschild vineyards. A feast for the eyes as well as the palate!

Donor: Rosann & Bill Nunnelly