This is my first ever experience with HDH out of Chicago. I’ve never participated in one of their auctions, but I’ve heard good things and wanted to see what they were about. I was pleasantly surprised to see the estimates in the auction and there is promise here. As always, keep your cool and don’t get too fidgety.
Day One Lots:
Lot 236 – Clos Vougeot 2003 (6 bottles) and Echézeaux 2003 (6 bottles)
Fantastic wines from great vineyard courtesy of Nicholas Potel. This starts off a bit expensive, but depending on things, it could become very tempting. I’d say we can start watching on day one at this lot.
Lot 371 and 372 – Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste 2003 (12 bottles)
Quality Bourdeaux from a quality maker. This is definitely not a hot year, but there is some potential for you to pick this up at a good price. Definitely something to watch for. If it goes to $30 a bottle, definitely one to consider grabbing.
Lot 387 and 388 – Château Rauzan-Ségla 2003 (12 bottles)
More quality Bourdeaux at a good price. In general, Bourdeaux is expensive, so it is great to see something within reach at auction.
Lot 436 – Sammarco 1997 – Castello dei Rampollo (12 bottles)
Mature Tuscans for around $60 per bottle. Definitely an interesting buy and worth following. As always, bid if it is going below estimate.
Lot 464 – Kistler Chardonnay McCrea Vineyard 2008 (12 bottles)
Kistler makes fantastic Chardonnay and McCrea vineyard is one of the higher quality ones. This may be a bit old for some people, but if you have a tolerance for your whites with a bit of funk, give this a consideration.
Lot 576 – Morey-Saint-Denis, Clos de la Bussiere 2006 (6 bottles)
This is Roumier who I have written about before. Very, very high quality producer. At this price, I am certainly considering. In fact, don’t buy this lot. I want it for myself.
Lot 584 – Chambolle-Musigny from de Vogüé and Royer. (10 bottles)
Jesus what a lot. This is a bit expensive at around $70 per bottle, but you’re getting top quality producers. Even more so than you tend to see at this price point. This is a lot of de Vogüé for this price. This will likely go for the middle to the top of the estimate, but in the case that it doesn’t, snag this up!
Lot 597 – Chablis, Bougros 2008 from Lefevre (12 bottles)
Chablis is a region within Burgundy which produces fantastic white wine. It is very different from the whites we see with Montrachet in the name, but it’s of very high quality. Lefevre is a great producer and this is definitely reasonable priced for Grand Cru Chablis. I am interested to say the least.
Lot 601 – Puligny-Montrachet, Les Folatieres 2010 from Morey (12 bottles)
Les Folatieres is one of my favorite vineyards in Puligny-Montrachet. It has a distinctive taste that makes it sublime. It’s a bit of musk on top of a strong balance of acidity and minerality. Definitely a great buy and not very expensive given how small Les Folatieres is.
Lot 714 – Echézeaux and Vosne-Romanée, Les Petits Monts from Jadot (both 1996, total of 9 botttles)
Jadot here with some great properties. With a bit of age on these, we can definitely drink these now or wait on them. At around $50 bucks a bottle, we definitely should be interested in these.
Lot 844 – Château Trottevieille 1988 (12 bottles)
Only 3,000 cases of wine produced annually, this is definitely a bit rare. It is so cheap at around $25 bucks a bottle, it is definitely worth the adventure. Will be a lot of fun to see wht this is about.
In the late 800s, there are a few lots of reasonably priced CDP, look yourself and you’ll see. They’re great bottles, but so many of them, I am not going to single them out. Also, given I’m writing this the night before the auction, I frankly do not have time.
Lot 923 Château Cos d’Estournel 1978 (4 bottles) and Château Pavie 1979 (8 bottles)
These bottles are definitely getting up there in age, but they will likely provide for some great experiences. I would definitely consider these as both are fantastic Chateaus. Do consider these for your Bourdeaux collection.
Lot 960 – Château Lagrance 2003 (12 bottles)
Another interesting case of young Bourdeaux at a good price. People are seriously looking to get rid of 2003s at the moment. Maybe we should create a small stock pile.
Lot 1026 – Wehlener-Sonnenuhr Reisling Auslese, Goldkapsel, #18 1995 from J.J. Prum (6 bottles)
J.J. Prum is a top maker in Mosel. They really produce fantastic wine and it’s great even at the entry level. This is no entry level wine. Goldkapsel is one of their top lines (I think their highest quality) and this is Auslese style. Definitely not cheap at almost $100 per bottle, but that’s reasonable for what this is.