The stunning ‘Vertical Limit’, a free-standing Champagne refrigerator, the result of a collaboration between Veuve Clicquot and the Porsche Design Studio, leads Sotheby’s London Wine sale on 21 October 2015. Measuring over six feet tall, the brushed steel cellar tower, one of only 15 produced, is purpose built to house 12 magnums of the Grande Marque’s most exceptional vintages since 1950. Estimated at £80,000-100,000, this exceptional design piece comprises individual compartments for each magnum, illuminated in the Veuve Clicquot signature color. The Vertical Limit cellar contains one magnum each of Veuve Clicquot vintages 1955, 1959, 1961, 1962, 1969 Rosé, 1975, 1979 Rosé, 1982, 1985, 1988, 1989 Rosé and 1990, with specially designed Vertical Limit labels. All 12 were selected especially for this collection by Jacques Peters, Chef de Caves at Veuve Clicquot.
The auction opens with a collection of First Growths, Pétrus, Ausone and other top-drawer wines, including Margaux and Cheval Blanc. Another private collection features a superb selection of Domaine de la Romanée Conti from the great 1969 vintage, comprising Romanée Conti and La Tâche. A small but excellent private collection of top 1980s Bordeaux includes Lafite, Haut Brion and Pétrus from the legendary 1982 vintage, while a further collection is highlighted by Mouton Rothschild 2006 and Lafite 2008, together with Burgundy from Dominique Laurent.
Henri Jayer, Pétrus and Yquem form the centrepieces of a collection formed by a renowned Continental wine writer, featuring Pétrus in the “twin” standout 2009 and 2010 vintages. An eclectic collection of Rhône, Champagne, Italian, California and Australian wines presents outstanding names from these wine-producing regions and nations, including Guigal, Chapoutier, Paul Jaboulet Aîné, Dom Pérignon, Krug, Gaja, Ornellaia, Bruno Giacosa, Joseph Phelps Vineyards and Clarendon Hills.