SKINNER

Diamond Creek Vineyards was one of the first “cult” wineries in
California. Founder Al Brounstein began the winery in 1968 and
grabbed acclaim after just a very short tenure. From a gorgeous site—
there are informal gardens woven along and through the vineyards—a
tiny morsel of three vineyard designated wines are produced. Under
extremely rare circumstances, a fourth bottling, “The Lake” is added to
the menu. –PhM
68.
Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 1984
Gravelly Meadow (u: bottom neck)
Red Rock Terrace (u: into neck)
Volcanic Hill (u: into neck, capsule corrosion, signs of seepage), R.
Parker, 94 pts. 08/94
Napa
3 double magnums (owc 3-pack)
$1,300-2,300
69.
Diamond Creek Volcanic Hill 1984
Napa
bin soil, label wrinkling and partly detached
R. Parker, 94 pts. 08/94
1 double magnum (owc)
$450-700
70.
Opus One
1987 (1 bt) (u: very top shoulder)
1989 (6 bt in owc) (u: three very top shoulder, three bottom neck)
Napa
7 bottles
$700-1,100
71.
Ridge Monte Bello
1990 (7 bts) (pen mark “26” to bottom of one label)
1992 (1 bt), R. Parker, (94-97) pts. 04/94
Santa Cruz Mountains
u: all bottom neck or better
8 bottles
$700-1,100
Wonderful Bordeaux from a Cape cellar. From a climate-controlled
cellar, picked up by Skinner staff.
Cheval Blanc doesn’t scream out for attention, rather it is passionately
pursued by a knowing few. Unquestionably worthy of “First Growth”
stature. In keeping with the Right Bank scene, the beautiful park-like
setting feels surprisingly casual. Formal to a point, but not overly so.
Cheval Blanc is comprised of cabernet franc and merlot. The vinous
equivalent of grace and good taste. -PhM
72.
Chateau Cheval Blanc 1976
St. Emilion, 1er Grand Cru Classe (A)
u: eleven bottom neck or better, one very top shoulder, two with glue
striping, some capsule corrosion and two with possible seepage
12 bottles (owc)
$1,500-2,250
73.
Chateau Cheval Blanc 1976
St. Emilion, 1er Grand Cru Classe (A)
u: one into neck, eight bottom neck, four very top shoulder, one with
glue striping, four with light label staining
12 bottles (owc)
$1,500-2,250
74.
Chateau Cheval Blanc 1982
St. Emilion, 1er Cru Grand Cru Classe (A)
JS for Wine Spectator, 96 pts. 01/30/01
8 bottles
$6,000-8,000
75.
Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1975
Pauillac, 1er Cru Classe
u: all very top shoulder or better
12 bottles (owc)
$7,000-10,000
76.
Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1976
Pauillac, 1er Cru Classe
u: all very top shoulder or better, some label staining, one with capsule
nicking, light bin soil to all
12 bottles (owc)
$5,000-7,000
77.
Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1976
Pauillac, 1er Cru Classe
u: all very top shoulder or better, light bin soil to all
12 bottles (owc)
$5,000-7,000
78.
Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1976
Pauillac, 1er Cru Classe
u: all very top shoulder
12 bottles (owc)
$5,000-7,000
79.
Chateau Mouton Rothschild 1976
Pauillac, 1er Cru Classe
u: eight very top shoulder, four top shoulder
12 bottles (owc)
$2,200-3,400
80.
Chateau d’Yquem 1970 (10 bts) (u: all very top shoulder, heavy
tissue and packing straw adhesion to labels and bottles, beautiful
light amber)
Chateau de Fargues 1971 (2 bts) (heavy tissue and packing straw
adhesion to labels and bottles, beautiful light amber)
12 bottles (owc)
$2,800-3,600
Port
81.
Quinta do Noval Nacional 1931
“On most occasions, this wine lives up to its lofty reputation. It has an
impressive balance of fruit and tannins, with plenty of fresh, youthful
fruit flavors. Deep ruby, with ripe chocolate, berry and cherry aromas,
full-bodied, with very round, sweet fruit flavors and silky tannins.” JS for
Wine Spectator, 99 pts. 1989
1 bottle
$1,200-1,800
online bidding at www.skinnerinc.com
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