Explore the passion of this collector through their exceptional bottles: legendary Petrus, Château Pontet-Canet, Chave and Clape from the Rhône, rare Richard Leroy, Clos des Fées, and excellent Chablis from Dauvissat.
Constant curiosity and perpetual passion
The collector who has placed their magnificent cellar in our hands has always been interested in wine and has spent 30 years scouring the vineyards of France to find their next favourite cuvée. Meticulously organised into the cellar, each bottle has been classified and noted, one by one, in a precious cellar notebook. Coming from a family of wine lovers, this collector’s taste for the nectar developed slowly but surely, and they joined various tasting clubs in Paris as a student. Naturally curious, a time of exploration unfolded, with many cuvées leaving a marked impression thanks to a wonderful olfactory memory. It’s the combination of emotion and technique that draws this enthusiast to the world of wine: ‘I wanted to understand how wine is made, so I’ve participated in harvesting, pruning, grafting, and vinification. I am even the happy owner of a few vine parcels. There was even a moment when I considered taking it up as my career!’
Our collector started out with the classics, heading to the vineyards of Bordeaux to acquire some fine bottles, before branching out further to explore other regions. All of the following are featured in this private collection: the Rhône Valley, Languedoc-Roussillon, the Loire, and Burgundy. Little by little, this enthusiast got to know some wine makers, building up a real rapport with the people at the heart of his own passion. Wine has always been a way of meeting people, not a question of pure investment. Most of these bottles came directly from their domain, and were first kept in a family estate in Normandy before being transferred to a professional cellar with perfect temperature and humidity levels.
‘I currently have a project on the go that needs a bit of extra cash flow, which is why I’m selling on some of my bottles. It’s true that I started to have too many for the size of my cellar, with some bottles reaching their perfect moment to be uncorked. It would have been a shame to keep them any longer and not enjoy them now. But if I were to try this on my own, it would take several lifetimes to get through them! My tastes have evolved, too, and I’m increasingly interested in natural wine. The fact of parting with a portion of my cellar doesn’t mean I’m parting with my passion. When I next get the chance, I will happily acquire more bottles to eventually share with friends and family.’
Classics abound
The bottles offered by this collector make up a diverse and eclectic selection, with most of France’s viticultural regions covered. Starting with Bordeaux, this cellar isn’t short of prestigious names. Château Pontet-Canet is here available in vintages from 2002 to 2015, in standard bottle and magnum formats, and some in their original wooden case. Splendours waiting patiently for your bids include Petrus, Château le Pin, Château Cheval Blanc, Cos d’Estournel, Léoville Las Cases, Léoville Barton, and Figeac.
The Burgundy highlight in this auction has to be the Chablis lots from Dauvissat, including the grand cru Les Preuses, the 1er cru La Forest, and the 1er cru Séchet; balanced, fresh, and round cuvées from a domain considered the finest in its appellation. Other gems from the Côte de Beaune include Ente, Albert Grivault, Vincent Girardin, and Etienne Sauzet. From the Côte de Nuits, Georges Roumier, Geantet Pansiot, Trapet, and Domaine de la Vougeraie.
Some surprises are in store from the Rhône valley, starting with the 2016 Cornas cuvée from Domaine Clape, a rich, deep, and racy wine with beautiful tannins. The icons continue with a little selection from Domaine Chave, including a 2011 Hermitage and Saint-Joseph in its 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2009 cuvées. And what would you say to a 2004 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Pignan cuvée from Emmanuel Reynaud, an explosive wine imbued with real finesse and elegance. Due to the unique character of its terroir, Pignan is vinified apart from the others, distinguishing it as an object of particular attention…
Icons to discover
From the Roussillon’s famous Clos des Fées, you’re spoilt for choice! La Petite Sibérie, Le clos de fees, Un Faune avec son Fifre sou les Oliviers, and De Battre mon Cœur s’est Arrêté are all cuvées you can get your hands in this private collection. You mustn’t miss out on the bottles from the highly lauded Grange des Pères, here in vintages from 2001 to 2013, both red and white, even including some magnums. ‘From this region, I wanted enthusiasts to discover the rare and natural bottles of Domaine du Casot des Mailloles in mature vintages: 2001, 2002, 2006, and 2008.’
Have you heard of Richard Leroy? This superb vintner of Loire terroir is a master of the Chenin grape and crafts his cuvées in minuscule quantities. Another connoisseur in the matter is, of course, Nicolas Joly of La Coulée de Serrant, a domain that we’re lucky enough to have as a partner domain. From this legendary estate, you’ll find a 1996 vintage that promises an incredible tasting experience for the top bidder!
Explore the full auction here and see the catalogue below
02/06/2021 – 11H00 : CP – Autres Vins 1979-2015
02/06/2021 – 11H30 : CP – Languedoc 1998-2016
02/06/2021 – 12H00 : CP – Roussillon 1976-2014
02/06/2021 – 12H30 : CP – Champagne 2004-2016
02/06/2021 – 13H00 : CP – Loire 1996-2013
02/06/2021 – 13H30 : CP – Rhône 1993-2016
02/06/2021 – 14H00 : CP – Bordeaux 1996-2016
02/06/2021 – 14H30 : CP – Burgundy 1999-2015
