Inglenook wine, said California wine expert James Laube, “is to Napa what Margaux is to Bordeaux—one of the crown jewels.” Some of those jewels will be on display at Christie’s on September 24th , when a selection from the private cellar of new Inglenook owner Francis Ford Coppola will be offered. The standout at the New York sale with be a rare two-bottle lot of what Laube calls “among the greatest red wines ever made:” 1941 Inglenook Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s estimated at $8,000-$12,000.
Update: The sale brought in $1,888,000. A case of Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1982 was the top lot at $50,000.
Coppola acquired the rights to the Inglenook name earlier this year, using it to re-title his Rubicon Valley Winery in Rutherford, California. At the time he also announced that he’d hired Philippe Bascaules, who headed operations at Chateau Margaux for 21 years, as Inglenook’s winemaker. Coppola’s using the Christie’s event to emphasize the “Renaissance” of the brand. To convey a sense of occasion, he’ll include a personal note to each successful buyer with each bottle, which will come with its own custom-made wooden box.
Read more at Christie’s.
