New York – Christie’s New York Wine Department announces Finest & Rarest Wines and Spirits, the final sale of 2019. The auction will take place on Friday, December 13, and will present a vast array of 982 lots spanning highlights from the very best producers in the world of fine wine.

The sale commences with The Property of a Gentleman (Lots 1-212), presenting one of the most comprehensive private collections of Château Lafite-Rothschild ever to appear at auction. The collection spans vintages 1960 through 2016 offered in various formats. Lots 1 to 138 were shipped directly from Château Lafite-Rothschild to New York in October 2019 for this auction. Lots 139 to 166 were recently removed from professional storage in New York, and lots 127 to 212 come to sale from a purpose built, humidity-controlled cellar in New York. This collection also features wines from the Rothschild stable – Château Duhart-Milon, Château l’Evangile and Carruades de Lafite. With perfect provenance, these lots offer the Bordeaux enthusiast an ideal opportunity to acquire superb wines in exceptional condition.

Following, is a rare offering of Burgundy – Domaine Fourrier direct from the Domaine (Lots 213-259). Consigned for sale from their cellars in Gevrey-Chambertin, the selection encompasses highly collectible wines from this highly-regarded producer. Alongside this direct consignment is offered Rare DRC including an Assortment Case from the 1978 Vintage in its original wooden case (Lots 26—264).

The Ultimate Bordeaux and Californian Cabernet Collection (Lots 272-733) includes various vintages from the Bordeaux First Growths alongside one of the most comprehensive collections of Californian gems ever to appear at auction. Spanning Mouton, Margaux, Petrus, Cheval-Blanc, Araujo, Harlan, Bond, Bryant Family, Colgin, and offered in rare large formats and bottles, this is a truly a remarkable collection. Further highlights include a fantastic collection of Château Haut-Brion and deep parcels of Château Lascombes from three vintages.

Additionally, offered are two exceptional collections of rare Madeira (Lots 839-909; Lots 910-961) dating from 1760 through to 1952, including a collection recently discovered on the east side of Madeira in Santa Cruz. This forgotten cellar included ten barrels that contained wines from the mid-nineteenth Century.

Concluding the sale is a selection of rare pre-prohibition whiskey (Lots 976-983), featuring an extremely rare full case of Overholt Rye 1905, alongside single bottles of the 1911. The final two lots form a part of American history – two full cases of Hermitage 1914 from the W. A. Gaines distillery. First offered as part of the celebrated Leonis Collection of Pre-Prohibition Whiskey we are delighted to be able to offer collectors the opportunity to purchase two further full cases of this revered spirit.