In a new venture for Lawrences’ Auctioneers in Crewkerne, a selection of wines and spirits will be included in the firm’s forthcoming sale on November 18th. Specialist Neil Grenyer comments on a bottle of Avery’s Cognac from 1893: “Although dating from after the outbreak of the Phylloxera louse in 1872 which destroyed many of the old cognac vines, this 1893 bottle comes from the period 1875-1895 which produced some of the best cognacs of the 19th century as distillers and cellar masters knowledge had developed a strong understanding of the art. It is offered with a strong provenance as it has come out of a dry cellar in Dorset where it has lain for the last 20 years having been inherited by the current owner.” This connoisseur’s cognac is expected to make £200-300
Further wines from a noble chateau are also expected to do well. “The name of Chateau Mouton Baron Philippe (de Rothschild) is familiar to any wine enthusiast,” observes Neil. “The Baron was a leading light in the wine world for over 50 years and revolutionised the business in his time. He was one of the first to bottle all wines at the chateau rather than sending them to the merchants in barrels. He also promoted the links between the wine and art world by commissioning contemporary artists to design many of the bottle labels. A particularly collectable vintage is 1964-65, regularly scoring 89 or 90/100 by wine critics and is viewed as a ‘drink now’ wine, so we are hoping for £100-150 for the three bottles on offer.”
Other lots on offer comprise a good selection from as little as £40 up to £400 for six bottles of Wynn’s St Michael Shiraz 1998 from Australia.