PANDOLFINI WINE AUCTION IN FLORENCE ON OCTOBER 7TH, FOR THE “L’ESPRESSO 2011” GUIDES. THE “TOP PICKS”? A BOTTLE OF 1895 CHATEAU D’YQUEM AND A COMPLETE VERTICAL “MASSETO” (1986-2010)

The annual Florentine collectible wines auction at the Pandolfini auction house in collaboration with the publishing group “L’Espresso” and Pitti Immagine, to present the “L’Espresso” guides (“The Wines of Italy” 2011 and “Restaurants of Italy 2011”) will be held on October 7th in Florence (San Lorenzo market).

The results of the international auction, even in times of crisis, confirm the value of wine, which is indeed among the assets that have the highest profits (at least according to Liv-Ex index, which monitors the 100 most popular wines at auctions). Special vintages, associations and high-quality labels have recorded a steady growth in sales.
Of the 220 lots, the most significant names in the Italian wine world stand out: Antinori at Castello di Ama; San Guido Estate at Castello del Terriccio; Olena Islands at Montevertine; Giacomo Conterno; Angelo Gaja; Luciano Sandrone and the Ornellaia Estate, now a constant presence in all major auctions.

This year, however, the most important attraction comes from France and, more specifically, from Gironde. There will be many bottles of Château d’Yquem: from the oldest, dating back to 1895 (estimated at 2.000/2.500 euros); a splendid 6 liters of 1990 (estimated at 2.200/2.500 euros); only one bottle of 1929 (1.400/1.600 euros); a single bottle of 1945 and 1947 (estimated at 1.300/1.500 euros); 1949 and 1967 in regular sizes and of the super sized, three magnum bottles of 1989 (estimated at 1.500 / 2.000 euros) and finally, the exceptional 5 liters of 1983 (2.300/2.500 euros).
From Tuscany, the auction opens with a selection of special sizes of “Sassicaia”, “Lupinaia” Cepparello”, ”Tignanello”, ”Pergola Torte” and “L’Apparita”. The prestigious “Masseto” of the Ornellaia Estate is in the catalog with a double magnum, vintage 1995 (estimated at 950 euros) and 18 bottles of complete vertical, from the first year of production 1986 to 2010 (estimated at 4.000 euros).
From Piedmont, there is a particularly important lot of 5 magnum of Barolo Monfortino Giacomo Conterno of various years (estimated at 2.500 euros); a double magnum of 2004 Barolo Cannubi Boschis Sandrone; a selection of Gaja magnum 1998 of Sori Tildin, Darmagi, Costa Russi, Sori San Lorenzo and a 5-liter bottle of Sperss (estimated at 800 euros).

As for the French wines, there is an important selection of Château Mouton Rothschild, vintages 1990, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004; 12 bottles of Château Haut-Brion 1998 (2.800 euros) and 12 bottles of Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1999 (estimated at 3.000 euros).
For the more attentive and refined collectibles market, the proposals from Burgundy such as Musigny Grand Cru Domaine G. Roumier 2005 (estimated at 2.800 euros); Romanée Conti La Tache 1990 (estimated at 2.400 euros) and La Tache 1989 (estimated at 650 euros).