Christie’s subsequent on-line sale of efficient and unusual wines and spirits will occur from 22 November to 6 December.
Among the many many many tons – many from the cellars of Raby Citadel – is one consigned by Cognac house Martell.
Drawn from its assortment of over 1,000 eaux-de-vies, the house has chosen a 72 year-old Grande Champagne Cognac, itself a single eau-de-vie created from a single cru, and bottled it in a bespoke crystal decanter made by Baccarat.
The decanter itself was designed by a 16-strong Baccarat group – numerous of whom keep the celebrated title ‘Meilleurs Ouvriers de France’.
The motif of vine leaves and shoots featured on the decanter have been hand-painted in gold and enamel. The Crystal stopper is engraved with the coat of arms of Martell and your complete is housed in a hand-crafted picket discipline, the within of which is embellished with a marquetry of grapevines in gold.
Tim Triptree MW, Christie’s Worldwide Director of Wines & Spirits, talked about: ‘Christie’s Wines and Spirits division is delighted to produce this unusual and distinctive Martell 72 Years Earlier Grande Champagne Cognac as a highlight of our on-line fortified wines & spirits sale.
‘As a result of the oldest of the great Cognac properties, Maison Martell’s distinction is unparalleled. We stay up for presenting this distinctive bottle, meticulously crafted by the world-renowned Cristallerie Baccarat in a hand-crafted crystal decanter, to our collectors worldwide.’
Furthermore, the worthwhile bidder shall be invited to Maison Martell for a tasting masterclass with cellar grasp Christophe Valtaud, a ‘gastronomic experience’ created by three-star Michelin chef Alexandre Mazzia and a one-night carry on the historic dwelling of the Martell family, Château de Chanteloup.
Valtaud talked about: ‘This collaboration with Christie’s and Baccarat as quickly as as soon as extra illustrates Maison Martell’s functionality to lift Cognac to an expensive product that responds to the needs of a demanding clientele of collectors and connoisseurs.’
A novel merchandise
The Cognac itself has spent over seven a few years in Martell’s cellars, latterly inside the historic Jean Martell cellar which properties the oldest and rarest spirits.
Some 30 years up to now, having reached what the then-cellar masters ordained was its peak, the Cognac was transferred from barrel to glass flasks commonly known as ‘dame-jeannes’ to guard its character for the long run.
Chatting with Decanter on the announcement of the collaboration, Valtaud confirmed that whereas reserves of the similar spirit remained on the maison, this singular bottle was all they consider to launch.
‘It’s not a restricted model, it’s distinctive,’ he talked about. ‘It’s for just one specific individual on the earth [to own].’
Requested what a Cognac that outdated tasted like, he added it was ‘completely fully totally different’ to any Cognac anyone would have had sooner than.
‘It’s floral in a implies that Grande Champagne normally isn’t,’ he continued. ‘It has notes of acacia, orange blossom and tobacco leaves. It really is one factor distinctive.’