Loading lot detailsâŠ
The May 2022 Auction: Part 4
Swipe left for previous · Swipe right for next
1 / 2Lot 99
Estimate: $2,750
This auction has ended. Bidding is closed.
Collection name
Reviews
99+WA
"Composed of 56.2% Sauvignon Blanc and 43.8% SĂ©millon, the 2017 Blanc sashays out of the glass with gregarious notions of peach preserves, pineapple tart and orange blossoms with touches of musk perfume, candied ginger and allspice. Medium-bodied, the palate reveals a gorgeous satiny texture with amazing citrus and tropical fruit intensity and a seriously racy backbone carrying the layers to a very long, impactful finish. Give this a few more years to really flaunt its stuff, and I wouldnât be at all surprised if this warrants the full three-digits. Bravo! At ChĂąteau Haut-Brion and neighboring La Mission Haut-Brion, only about one hectare out of around 80 hectares of vineyards was damaged by frost in 2017. It seemed that in the areas where there was a little wind, there was no frost. Budbreak was on March 13ânot so early for this warm little pocket of vineyards close to the cityâbut the evolution of the vines was certainly faster than usual for the rest of the spring. It was a very dry, warm spring with even flowering. At the end of June, there was some rain to quench the parched vines, then July was a little cooler, according to Jean-Philippe Delmas. By mid-September, after the whites had already come in, the rains became an issue. The Merlot was almost all in before the rain, but the Cabernet Franc was affected and not much was used this year. Cabernet Sauvignon was harvested after the rains. Overall yields averaged out at a very respectable 49.6 hectoliters per hectare. While the reds are incredibly impressive at both properties in 2017, I have to confess that I was completely blown away by the caliber of the whites. WOW! Possessing at once electric intensity and yet bags of tightly wound layers just waiting to be expressed over many years of cellaring, this is a truly spectacular vintage for the dry whites at both estates."
Region
White
Country
Score
"Composed of 56.2% Sauvignon Blanc and 43.8% SĂ©millon, the 2017 Blanc sashays out of the glass with gregarious notions of peach preserves, pineapple tart and orange blossoms with touches of musk perfume, candied ginger and allspice. Medium-bodied, the palate reveals a gorgeous satiny texture with amazing citrus and tropical fruit intensity and a seriously racy backbone carrying the layers to a very long, impactful finish. Give this a few more years to really flaunt its stuff, and I wouldnât be at all surprised if this warrants the full three-digits. Bravo! At ChĂąteau Haut-Brion and neighboring La Mission Haut-Brion, only about one hectare out of around 80 hectares of vineyards was damaged by frost in 2017. It seemed that in the areas where there was a little wind, there was no frost. Budbreak was on March 13ânot so early for this warm little pocket of vineyards close to the cityâbut the evolution of the vines was certainly faster than usual for the rest of the spring. It was a very dry, warm spring with even flowering. At the end of June, there was some rain to quench the parched vines, then July was a little cooler, according to Jean-Philippe Delmas. By mid-September, after the whites had already come in, the rains became an issue. The Merlot was almost all in before the rain, but the Cabernet Franc was affected and not much was used this year. Cabernet Sauvignon was harvested after the rains. Overall yields averaged out at a very respectable 49.6 hectoliters per hectare. While the reds are incredibly impressive at both properties in 2017, I have to confess that I was completely blown away by the caliber of the whites. WOW! Possessing at once electric intensity and yet bags of tightly wound layers just waiting to be expressed over many years of cellaring, this is a truly spectacular vintage for the dry whites at both estates."
Have questions?
The world's most influential fine-wine producer and the benchmark for Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne and the Rhone. Its appellation (AOC) system codifies geography, grape and method, and its wines set the global standard for age-worthiness and terroir expression.
The world's largest fine-wine region, built around blends of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Divided by the Gironde estuary into the structured Left Bank and the plush, Merlot-led Right Bank, it is the historic benchmark for age-worthy claret and sweet Sauternes.
In the Graves, the only Bordeaux appellation renowned for both reds and dry whites. Gravelly soils yield smoky, mineral reds and age-worthy Sauvignon-Semillon blends.
2017 in Bordeaux was marked by damaging April frost that cut yields; unaffected vineyards made fresh, classically styled wines of moderate weight and charm, generally accessible early and best over the medium term.
Yields crisp, aromatic whites with citrus, herb and grassy notes. It shines in the Loire, Bordeaux blends and around the world for its refreshing zip.
Prized both for age-worthy dry whites and, when affected by noble rot, the great sweet wines of Sauternes. It offers waxy texture and honeyed depth.