The first place to start a wine collection is with Bordeaux.
The first place to start a wine collection is with Bordeaux: by far the largest fine wine producing region in the world. But Bordeaux, due to the large area of vineyards, is also a source of excellent value wines, both red and white. From the cellar of a distinguished London club comes Les Pagodes de Cos 1998 – this is the second wine of the renowned second growth Chateau Cos d’Estournel and with a low estimate of £250 a case. This is perhaps a third of the price you would pay for the ‘grand vin’ Chateau Bernadotte 2003, a property in the same ownership as another second growth, Chateau Pichon Lalande, and offered with a low estimate of just £110 a case.
The same club is also offering several other classed growth Bordeaux still lying under Bond, very useful for export, such as Chateau Leoville Barton 2001 (estimate £400-480 a dozen), Ducru-Beaucaillou 2002 (£600-700 a dozen), Lynch-Moussas 2003 (£400-480 for two dozen) and La Lagune 2003 (£450-550 for two dozen).
Why the Rhone valley offers great value
While production of Burgundy is so small that prices of top wines tend to be high, by contrast the Rhone valley offers great value. A private collection in the sale contains a very good range, particularly from top producer Paul Jaboulet Aine, such as Hermitage, La Chapelle 2001 (£380-450 a case) and 2005 (£350-420 a case) and Crozes-Hermitage, Domaine de Thalabert, along with many domains from Chateauneuf-du-Pape. For the ultimate experience of Rhone wines, we are also offering magnums of Jaboulet’s Hermitage, La Chapelle 1978 at £8,000-9,500 for six! These have come from the cellar of a well-known college.
For those who still enjoy a glass of Port at the end of a meal, we have on offer a great selection from an Oxford college – Warre 1977 at £380-450 and Graham 1994 at £420-500 a case. Port has not been targeted by speculators so remains very good value for mature, ready-to-drink wines.
All recommendet wines will be for sale on September 12. They can be also found in the Classic Driver Market Place.
