Chateau Petrus

Spicy Château Petrus leads Sotheby's sale

18 half-bottles of the 1982 vintage are expected to star in London

 Sotheby's sale of Finest and Rarest Wines and Vintage Port this week has a number of collectible bottles in the mix.

Chief amongst these is perhaps a set of Château Petrus 1982. The 18 half-bottles have somewhat soiled labels, but the wine level is high in the neck with two exceptions.

The vintage is particularly well regarded. Sotheby's Serena Sutcliffe is almost gushing in her description:

"Mature colour. A great nose of prunes, spices, huge character and 'presence'. Liquorice, with sweet, gummy definition. Some sweet aniseed. A lovely sweet 'leather' taste. Now has a pruney finish, with sweet, soft cinnamon at the end.

"Really mocha as it lingers on the palate. Superb, full, rich, ultra-dimensional taste. Rolls round the mouth. Unbeatable and stunning, with great meaty character. Leave it in the glass and it opens out gloriously."

Sotheby's sold a huge six litre bottle of the same vintage in Hong Kong late last year for a stunning $94,000, suggesting that it may well be a sound investment.

The 531 lot auction takes place this Wednesday February 17.

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