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The December 2010 Internet-Only Auction Part 1
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1 / 2Lot 272
Estimate: $650
Less than 1 cm; slightly recessed cork, worn, stained label.
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This auction has ended. Bidding is closed.
Reviews
96RP
"For the first time, Henri Bonneau produced a Cuvée Spéciale in 1990. The vintage was so extraordinary he let one parcel of Grenache vines hang until the sugars were over 30% . . . . It took three years to ferment on its wild yeasts and, after aging in cask and foudre for more than four years, it was bottled without filtration. To say this wine will last for 25-30 years is an understatement. When I asked Bonneau what he would serve with such a powerful, rich wine, he spent the next 20 minutes fantasizing about possible matchups. If readers want to taste the quintessential Henri Bonneau style, as well as how exciting (and exaggerated) Grenache can be when made from such a degree of ripeness and tiny yields, this wine should not be missed. Although too massive to drink now, it should become surprisingly civilized with aging. Sit on it . . . and drink it over the following two decades. For RhÎne wine enthusiasts, it will likely become a collector's item worth its weight in gold."
Region
Red
Country
Score
"For the first time, Henri Bonneau produced a Cuvée Spéciale in 1990. The vintage was so extraordinary he let one parcel of Grenache vines hang until the sugars were over 30% . . . . It took three years to ferment on its wild yeasts and, after aging in cask and foudre for more than four years, it was bottled without filtration. To say this wine will last for 25-30 years is an understatement. When I asked Bonneau what he would serve with such a powerful, rich wine, he spent the next 20 minutes fantasizing about possible matchups. If readers want to taste the quintessential Henri Bonneau style, as well as how exciting (and exaggerated) Grenache can be when made from such a degree of ripeness and tiny yields, this wine should not be missed. Although too massive to drink now, it should become surprisingly civilized with aging. Sit on it . . . and drink it over the following two decades. For RhÎne wine enthusiasts, it will likely become a collector's item worth its weight in gold."
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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.
Spans the Syrah-driven northern crus of Cote-Rotie and Hermitage and the Grenache-based blends of the warmer south, led by Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Its wines are known for power, spice and warmth.
The southern Rhone's most famous appellation, blending Grenache with Syrah, Mourvedre and more into rich, warming, spice-laden reds from galet-strewn soils.
A warm-climate red giving generous, high-alcohol wines of red fruit and spice. It anchors southern Rhone blends and old-vine wines in Spain and Australia.
A late-ripening red lending structure, dark fruit and gamey, meaty complexity to southern Rhone and Mediterranean blends.
Syrah (Shiraz) produces dark, powerful reds with black fruit, pepper and smoked-meat notes. It yields elegant, perfumed wines in the northern Rhone and bold, rich styles in Australia.