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FOR SALE: ONE MAGNUM OF 1908 CHATEAU LATOUR
This auction is a unique opportunity to own a very rare piece of oenological history. I would not be surprised if there isn't another bottle like this, outside the chateau.
This bottle is being sold in very good condition for being 100 years old, with the capsule fully intact and embossed with the year; the label soiled but still very readable; the level perfectly acceptable for the age; and colour of the wine still a lovely ruby colour. The cork bears the stamp of the Chateau and the year. Please see the pictures for evidence of this (the 1964 Latour featured in the 1st picture is for comparative purposes only and is not included).
So what is known about this bottle? I know that it was sold to me two years ago by a dealer on behalf of the previous German owner, who was passed the bottle by his father. In all, the bottle was owned by the family for approximately 40 years. Prior to this, no information as to its history is available.
1908 was actually a very good bordeaux vintage and astonishingly, tasting notes are available for this wine. It is still attracting a rating of 89/100 from Wine Spectator too. Notes are as follows:
WINE SPECTATOR: 89/100
Assertive and distinctive, if not perfectly balanced, this is quite perfumed, with aromas of prunes, cloves and cedar. Sweet and supple on the palate, it's perked up by a slight touch of volatile acidity - TM Dec 1997.
And the following:
Chateau Latour 1908. Three good notes. The first, from the de Beaumont cellars in 1974, the next two re-corked, lovely in 1976 and showing well at Payne’s Latour tasting: remarkably deep, rich and sound, firm, flavoury and tannic. Last tasted 1981 – 3 stars.
(Source: Michael Broadbent The Great Vintage Wine Book II (printed 1991)
It is fair to say that it is quite probable that the wine would have fared better in a magnum, subject to careful storage of course. The immediate signs are very good that this bottle is still very drinkable, should you be inclined to do so.
It is hard to place a value on this very rare and now quite unique bottle. There are often dealers in the world selling the normal-sized bottle of 1908 Latour. Values for this bottle are quite wide and typically range from £1300 - £2500. There is one dealer selling the 1908 75cl bottle currently for £1,400 ex-VAT at the time of writing. The considerably rarer magnum would of course attract a decent premium. Case in point would be 1961 Petrus. The bottle is valued at approximately £4000-6000. The magnum is approx £16000.
I have set a reserve that I believe is very fair and commensurate with the rareness and condition of this bottle, not to mention the prestige of the chateau. The reserve also reflects the fact that this is a private sale with limited knowledge of the history of the bottle.
This bottle will be sent very securely packaged and fully insured, on receipt of cleared funds. Alternatively, collection in person would be acceptable.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or require further details. Please also see my other bottles for sale, including bottles of vintage Petrus in excellent cellar-stored condition.
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