On 16 November 2016 in London, Sotheby’s will offer The Treasured Collection of a Connoisseur, one of the most exciting private collections of wine to come to auction in years. This treasure trove glitters with a multitude of gems from some of the starriest of vintages, estates and domains, lovingly and meticulously cared for and enjoyed by the owner with family and friends over many decades.
From the grandest Bordeaux crus classés and stunning white Burgundy to show-stopping Champagne, almost all the legendary wines on offer are ready to drink. The sale presents many exciting opportunities, not least a comparison of Bordeaux 1982s across the board, but also a breathtaking choice of ‘grand format’ bottles. The 690 lots are estimated to bring a combined total in the region of £1.7 million.
Serena Sutcliffe MW, Honorary Chairman, Sotheby’s Wine, said: “Wine collections of this stellar beauty rarely come up for sale. This collection of the most extraordinary wines ever made is a testament to the highest traditions of wine appreciation and knowledge.”

The collection is a roll-call of some of the greatest Bordeaux of the 20th century. Spanning vintages from 1938 to 2009, no fewer than 12 châteaux from the outstanding 1959 vintage and 22 from the legendary 1961 vintage, including all five of the First Growths, feature in this sale. Highlights include a full case of Haut Brion 1959, estimated to bring £10,000- 14,000 (8, illustrated on page 1).
The depth and breadth on offer of the stunning 1982 vintage is mouth-watering, from a full case of Latour, estimated at £11,000-15,000 (188), an Imperial of Pichon Longueville Lalande, estimated at £3,600-4,800 (193), and 12 bottles of Cheval Blanc, estimated at £5,500-6,500 (229), to a Double Magnum of Petrus, estimated to bring £12,000-18,000 (235).
Large formats are a special feature and include 51 Imperials, Jeroboams from five vintages, headlined by Château Latour 1961 and Petrus 1978, estimated respectively to bring £19,000-26,000 (20) and £6,500-8,000 (173), and a fantastic range of Double Magnums, including Mouton 1959, Palmer 1961, Petrus 1975 and Lafite, Margaux and Petrus 1982. [Illustrated above: a Double Magnum of Lafite 1982, estimated at £7,000-9,500 (187).]
The line-up from Burgundy impresses with Domaine de la Romanée Conti 1988, 1993, 1996 and 2003. Full cases of Richebourg and Echézeaux 1988 are estimated respectively at £10,000-13,000 (289) and £5,800-7,000 (290, illustrated left). The 1993 vintage features La Tâche, estimated at £7,000-9,000 (291), Richebourg, estimated at £4,600-6,000 (292), Romanée St. Vivant, estimated at £3,600-4,400 (293), Grand Echézeaux, estimated at £2,800-3,400 (294), and Echézeaux 1993, estimated to bring £2,600-3,400 (295).
Highlights of the magnificent white Burgundy on offer include vintages of Montrachet DRC from 1978 to 1997, including three bottles of the 1978 vintage, estimated at £10,000-14,000 (298, illustrated right), 10 bottles of the 1986 vintage, estimated to bring £24,000-32,000 (305), and a parcel of the 1993 vintage, estimated at £11,000-15,000 per lot (311-313). Further temptations include Grand Cru Leflaive from 1985, 1988 and 1995.
Fabulous Hermitage, La Chapelle 1961, 1978 and 1990 lead the Rhône section, including single-bottle offerings of the 1961 vintage, estimated at £7,500-9,500 per lot (318-320, illustrated left), five Magnums of the 1978 vintage, estimated at £6,000-7,000 (323, illustrated left). Rhône aficionados will also be drawn to Rayas 1978 and Guigal’s iconic Côte Rôties from the 1985 vintage.
Champagne lovers will be delighted by the show-stopping selection which is bookended by Krug Collection 1959 and parcels of Salon 1990 and 1996. Highlights include Krug Collection 1959, estimated at £3,000-4,000 per three bottles (333), two Magnums of Krug Collection 1969, estimated at £3,000-4,000
(342), and Krug 1976, estimated at £5,500-7,000 per 11 bottles (350, illustrated on page 3).
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Notes to Editors
A dazzling array of rare and historic vintages of Port, Madeira and Cognac round off the collection. Twelve bottles of Taylor 1945 stand out amongst the Port on offer, estimated at £9,000-12,000 (437), and nearly a hundred years of Madeira is covered from 1820 Boal Solera to 1916 vintage Malmsey.
The extraordinary range of Cognac is represented by 27 different vintages stretching back to 1858 Sazerac de Forge, with Croizet Bonaparte Fine Champagne 1906 and 1914 in Magnum highlights from the first half of the last century.