HISTORIC WINES from the exceptional reserve cellar of one of the best-known Châteaux of the Médoc, Château Loudenne, should have a magnetic effect on aficionados of great wines when they are included in Sotheby’s wine sale in London on Wednesday March 22.

"Sotheby’s is honoured to have been asked to auction the carefully chosen and impeccably maintained Reserve Cellar of Château Loudenne," said Serena Sutcliffe, MW, Head of Sotheby’s International Wine Department. "The Château itself means so much to me personally, as I am sure it does to the many people who were lucky enough to visit it and be entertained there so hospitably"

Château Loudenne, with its lawns running down to the river Gironde, was, bought by English entrepreneurs, the brothers Walter and Alfred Gilbey, in 1875. The Gilbey family successfully ran the Château until 1963 when it became part of the United Distillers and Vintners group. It has recently changed hands again and now Sotheby’s have been instructed to auction the Château’s extensive reserve cellar.

Loudenne was a focal point for many international wine lovers on their visits to Bordeaux and the excellent wine school and wine seminars held there regularly attracted consumers and professionals from around the world. As one of United Distillers’ flagship châteaux, Loudenne was also used regularly as the venue for glamorous parties and dinners, when guests were treated to delicious wines from the Château’s outstanding reserve cellar.

The reserve cellar with its vast collection of bottles (many in large formats) provided immense enjoyment and unforgettable memories to those who ventured up the Médoc to this fabulous 18^th Century Chartreuse property for the privilege of dining at one of Bordeaux’s most hospitable tables. "The cellar is incredibly nostalgic for many wine lovers, both in and out of the wine trade," said Serena Sutcliffe.

Loudenne’s reserve cellar includes wines that date back to 1875 when the Château was acquired. Among the more than 7,000 bottles - which have been consigned for sale at Sotheby’s - are rarities such as a pristine bottle of Château Margaux 1900 (est: £4,000/5,000).

Other highlights include 14 vintages of Château Pétrus, among them multiple cases of 1970 (est: £5,000/6,000 per case); 1975 (est: £4,000/5,000) and 1982, (est: £8000/10000). Further temptation is to be found among the extremely rare wines from pre-war vintages and mature vintages of First Growths in magnum such as Château Latour 1966 (est: £2,000/2,600 per six magnums).

This cellar also includes delicious wines at affordable prices such as the fantastic array of the Cru Bourgeois, Château de Pez, in large formats and recent vintages. For example, an imperial of Château de Pez 1990 is estimated to fetch

£90-120. The great 1961 is also featured.

The provenance of this cellar, clearly, is perfect, as wines came to Loudenne direct from the respective châteaux

Other collections in Sotheby’s March auction will embrace modern classics and more mature vintages, all drawn from fantastic cellars both in the UK and continental Europe.

Email: info@sothebys.com

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