Grapes and grain: Skinner’s autumn Fine Wines and Spirits auctions offer a bountiful harvest

The event is comprised of two auctions: Fine Wines and Spirits, Auction 3050B, to be held in Boston at 63 Park Plaza at 6 PM on November 8; and Fine Wines, Rare Spirits, and Ales, Auction 3036T. This online-only timed auction will run from October 25 through November 3. Many of the collections from which the over 1800 lots have been drawn are represented in both auctions.

The Richard Elia collection includes a wide array of wines ranging from France to California to Madeira and points in between. Connoisseur, author, scholar, host and mentor, he has a special place in the hearts and minds of many wine lovers.

Marie Keep, Director of Skinner’s department of Fine Wines, notes that when the department was founded in 2007, Elia was a welcoming and encouraging presence. In her words, Elia epitomized “the unfettered joy of uncorking a beautiful bottle of wine and sharing it with others.” His wines, and those from the other notable collections included in the sales are testimony to the passion and dedication of collecting, and the generous impulse to share.

Among many choice Bordeaux from a temperature-controlled Boston collector’s cellar is a great beginning: a case of Chateau Haut Brion 2000 (Lot 1, estimate $6,000-8,000). There are more great Bordeaux from a Cape Cod collector whose wines were professionally stored. Chateau Lafite Rothschild 2003 (Lot 17, twelve bottles, estimate $7,200-9,600) received a Robert Parker score of 100.

Sale 3050B lot 50, estimate $3,500-5,000.

Fine Bordeaux again features in A Decade of Haut Brion 1998-2009 (Lot 50, 12 bottles, estimate $3,500-5,000).

Among the notable rarities are numerous highly sought-after Central Coast lots from a carefully curated collection stored in a custom-built temperature-controlled cellar. Offerings include:

  •    Next of Kyn No. 7 2013 Central Coast (Lot 220, three bottles, one magnum, estimate $1,500-2,500). This one of seven lots of vintages between 2007-2013 from this highly regarded California
  •    Sine Qua Non Crossed 1997 California (Lot 221, one bottle, estimate $3,000-4,000)

Sale 3050B lot 112, estimate $1,400-1,800.

 

This auction also offers Roederer Cristal Brut 1990 (Lot 112, four bottles, estimate $1,400-1,800). Robert Parker awards it 97 points and writes, “It may be the greatest Cristal I have ever tasted!”

Auction 3050B concludes with more than sixty lots of Scotch and American spirits.  Important whiskies include two cases of Port Ellen 30 Years Old, Islay official bottling, 9th annual release (Lots 301, 302, original cases of six bottles, estimate $4,750-6,000 per lot).

There are also multiple Buffalo Trace Antique Collection lots, including Buffalo Trace Antique Collection Horizontal, 2012 Release (Lot 319, five 750ml bottles, estimate $1,700-2,200) and Buffalo Trace Antique Collection George T Stagg 2003-2007 Vertical Release (Lot 320, six 750ml bottles, estimate $3,000-4,000).

Sale 3050B lot 320, estimate $3,000-5,000

The extensive online offerings in Auction 3036T include many of the same distinguished labels from highly selective cellars represented in the Fine Wine and Spirits live auction. In addition, there are large selections of Ridge, Rochioli and German wines, signed bottles from the collection of Richard Elia, wine posters, and numerous bottles at various price levels from the highly prized Stitzel-Weller distillery.

Outstanding wines in this portion of the sale include international selections such as:

 

  • Domaine de la Romanee Conti Richebourg 1990 (Lot 1286, one bottle, estimate $2,200-2,800)
  • A lot of Trokenbeerenauslese and Beerenauslese 1971/1976 (Lot 1368A, seven bottles, estimate $1,000-1,500)
  • Screaming Eagle 2014, (Lot 1711, three pack, estimate $5,000-6,000)

Also featured are such highly desirable spirits as:

  • Glenfiddich Rare 40 Year (Lot 2050, one bottle, estimate $3,000-4,000)
  • American Pride Bourbon 1912 (Lot 2217, one bottle, estimate $1,000-1,500)

Anna Ward, Skinner specialist in fine wines and spirits, summarizes these auctions by noting that “The sales follow the theme of bottles lovingly collected and acquired throughout a lifetime and the joy, experience, and familiarity of tasting and learning with friends and family. We do our very best to represent the history and provenance of the bottles so that buyers can appreciate the care and passion behind a collection that was assembled over a lifetime.”

Previews, Catalogs, and Bidding

Previews are by prior arrangement with the department. Please contact 508-970-3246, or e-mail finewines@skinnerinc.com, if you would like to arrange a preview.

The online catalog displays the current bid, asking bid, and time remaining in the auction, in addition to detailed images and condition information. Place a bid for the next bidding increment or place a maximum proxy bid. The system will automatically bid competitively up to that price. Experts are available throughout the auction to answer questions and provide additional information about the lots offered.

The print catalog is available for purchase from the Subscriptions Department at subscriptions@skinnerinc.com. Prices realized will be available at www.skinnerinc.com during and after the sale. The Skinner website enables users to view all lots in the auction, leave bids, and bid live, in real-time through SkinnerLive!

About Skinner

Skinner auctions draw international interest from buyers and consignors alike, with material regularly achieving record prices. The company’s auction and appraisal services focus on fine art, jewelry, furniture, and decorative arts from around the globe, as well as wine, fine musical instruments, rare books, Asian art, clocks, Judaica, and more.

Monthly Skinner Discovery auctions feature a breadth of estate material. Widely regarded as one of the most trusted names in the business, Skinner appraisers have appeared on the PBS-TV series, Antiques Roadshow, since the show’s inception. Skinner has galleries in Boston and Marlborough, Massachusetts, as well as in New York City and Miami, Florida, with bidders participating in person, by phone, and online.

Join auctions live with SkinnerLive! and Bidsquare. For more information, visit www.skinnerinc.com, find us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


*