Readers
might be interested in this forthcoming auction and tasting of fine
Vouvrays from Domaine Huet. These are exceptional wines, and the
tasting in particular looks to be an unmissable opportunity for anyone
with an interest in old Vouvrays. I've reproduced the press release
from Christie's below.
Jamie Goode
EXCEPTIONAL
DOMAINE HUET OFFERING AT CHRISTIE'S
Fine
Wines featuring Historic Vintages from Gaston Huet
Thursday
20 May 2004
at
10.30am
&
2pm
London
- On 20 May, as part of the Fine
Wines featuring Historic Vintages from
Gaston Huet and Vintage Cigars sale at Christie's
London
, an exceptional array of wines
from the renowned
Loire
winery, Domaine Huet, will be
offered. It is the first
major offering of
Huet ever to appear at public
auction and with the wines consigned directly from the Domaine's
extraordinary reserves, this sale provides a unique opportunity to
collectors around the globe to acquire excellent wines that boast an
impeccable provenance and pedigree.
Over 110 lots of Domaine Huet will be offered,
including bottles, magnums and cases, with vintages dating from 1921
to 1990.
Domaine Huet is a 35 ha.(85 acre) estate in Vouvray, looking out over
the
Loire
valley, centrally
located in France, which for decades has been internationally renowned
for the supreme quality, sophisticated complexity and refined beauty
of its wines. The estate consists of three vineyards.
Le Haut
Lieu is the original, family holding, known for its intense minerality
and balance. Le Clos du
Bourg is one of Vouvray's premier vineyards for long
aging, its wine having powerful presence.
Le
Mont
is more delicate, with
fragrant harmony.
Gaston
Huet, once Domaine Huet's owner, was a legend even during his lifetime.
He was mayor of Vouvray for 40 years and remained a real
presence in the wine world till his death in 2002, aged 92.
His son-in-law, Noël Pinguet, took over the reins of the
Domaine and led Huet into the new world of bio-dynamics in 1987 (by
1991 it was 100%). He has
been the Domaine's guiding light since the 1976 vintage.
Anthony
Hanson MW, Senior Consultant to the International Wine Department:
"Domaine Huet, a dessert wine producer that confidently stands
alongside Château d'Yquem and the great German Trockenbeerenauslese
as a star amongst the
noble-rot wines, has been sought after by a small number of wine
aficionados for many years. Now,
with this auction, it is hoped the Domaine's
appeal will be opened up to a wider audience - and Christie's is
delighted to provide the opportunity for clients both new and old to
sample, bid and enjoy these majestic wines from the
Loire
."
Highlights
include 1921 Le Haut Lieu, Moelleux (one magnum: £500-700, six
bottles: £240-300 each); 1937 Le Haut Lieu, Moelleux (four lots of
three bottles: £480-650 per lot); 1947 Le Haut Lieu, Moelleux 1ère
Trie (a variety of
formats including three magnums at £440-550 each and two cases at £2,400-3,200
each); 1959 Le Haut Lieu, Moelleux 1ère Trie (a variety of formats
including magnums at £180-240 each, and a 12-bottle case for £1,000-1,300);
and a fine selection of the 1990 vintage from all three vineyards,
perfect for laying down - cases of the wines are estimated at £720-950,
and the vintage is also offered in four and six bottle formats.
Vouvray
Masterclass with Noël Pinguet of Domaine Huet
As
part of the preparations for this unique auction event, a Christie's Masterclass
will be held on Thursday 6 May at
6.30pm
, held at
Christie's, 8
King Street
,
London
, SW1.
The
selection will be presented by Anthony Hanson MW, Senior Consultant
and David Elswood, International Head of the Wine Department.
Noël Pinguet, co-owner
of the Domaine, will provide insights and commentary throughout. The
wines to be tasted are:
-
Vouvray Le Haut Lieu Sec 1995
-
Vouvray
Le Mont Moelleux 1ère trie 1990
-
Vouvray
Le Clos du Bourg Moelleux 1970
-
Vouvray
Le Clos du Bourg Moelleux 1ère trie 1961
-
Vouvray
Le Mont Moelleux 1ère trie 1959
-
Vouvray
Le Haut Lieu Moelleux 1ère trie 1947
-
Vouvray Le Haut Lieu Moelleux 1935
-
Vouvray Le Haut Lieu Moelleux 1924
Tickets
are priced at £75.00. Places can be reserved by contacting Shona McIntosh
on +44 (0) 20 7752 3295 or by email, smcintosh@christies.com.
-ends-
|