From the Pauillac region of Bordeaux, Chateau La Tour is a "first growth", the designation for the five Premier Cru wines of Bordeaux. The 1975 is fully mature, with a lovely nose, excellent balance, with a deep dark berry core and a long finish; it is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc.

Two bottles of the 2016 Chateau Smith Haut-Lafite. The first vines on this acreage in Pessac Leognan, Bordeaux were planted in 1365, taking advantage of the gravelly soil on the hillside. The gravel absorbs heat during the day, helping the grapes to ripen; the natural drainage of the slope forces the vine roots to sink meters deep to extract water and mineral salts. The current owners, Daniel and Alice Cathiard grow their own rootstocks to preserve the unique identity of the grape varieties. The grapes are harvested by hand in small batches to make sure each cluster is ripe. The wine is a deep, dark ruby color, a rich and explosive mouth feel. It is a perfectly balanced wine, full of energy and freshness, a classic tannic frame and a long persistent finish. 65% cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 4% Cabernet France and 1% Petit Verdot

A special edition of the 2012 Veuve Cliquot Ponsardin, La Grande Dame, Brut, with the bottle and presentation box designed by Yayoi Kusama. The widow (veuve) Cliquot is credited with creating the first vintage champagne in 1810, inventing the riddling process to clarify the champagne in 1816, and the first to blend red and white wine to make a rosé champagne in 1818. Her champagnes were the favorites of royalty throughout Europe. The focus has remained on excellence and quality, with only juice from the first pressing (Cuvée) used. Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama designed the bottle and box for this limited edition, using polka dots to evoke the bubbles. This champagne is rich and impressive, with a crisp edge that makes the fruit shine. 90% Pinot Noir, with 10% Chardonnay. It should easily cellar and gain richness over the next 20 years. Rated 96 points.

There are records from 1552 of grape vines planted on the land of Chateau Giscours in the Margaux region of Bordeaux. When Napoleon III required a ranking of the best Bordeaux wines, Chateau Giscours was listed among the Third Growths. In 1976, Pierre Tari, the owner of Chateau Giscours was one of the 11 judges in the "Judgment of Paris" competition of French vs. American wines. This is an elegant, well-structured wine with magnificently bright aromas. This wine is seductive on the palate with refined, silky tannins. The 2003 vintage is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot. It is deep red, almost purple, with aromatics of chocolate, black cherry jam and cassis; the tannins have softened, but maintain a long finish.

Grapes have been grown in this northern Spain wine region along the Duero River since Roman times. Vega Sicilia is the best known wine from this area. Tempranillo is the dominant grape cultivar, tolerating and even thriving through hot, dry summers and cold winters. Dominio del Aguila was founded in 2010, on land with 60 acres of very old vines. The Riserva is aged 30 months in oak barrels. It is a blend of 85% Tempranillo, 5% Albilio, 5% Garnacha Tinta. It is a deep ruby color, with intense aromas of black fruits, subtle vanilla, earthy notes; a complex nose, good tannin structure, long and intense finish. An extremely well balanced, wonderful structure that harmonizes with the fruit. This lot has two bottles of the 2016 Dominio del Aguila Reserve

LMVH, the French conglomerate, owns Chateau Cheval Blanc, one of France's Grand Cru wines. In 1999 LMVH and Cheval Blanc founded Cheval des Andes, in one of Argentina's best renowned regions, Lujan de Cuyo in the north of Mendoza, the foothills of the Andes. The land had old ungrafted Malbec vines; Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot vines were added, with a goal to create a great Bordeaux style wine. The 2017 blends the vibrancy of Malbec with the elegance of Cabernet Sauvignon, creating a wine of great depth and sophistication. This vintage exemplifies the fusion of Old World winemaking expertise with New World passion, creating a superb wine, to be enjoyed now or for years to come.

A selection of very highly rated Chateauneuf du Pape to enjoy now or over the next several years. 2009 Domaine de la Janasse: Cuvee Vielles Vignes. This was considered to be the best wine of the 2000 vintage . A glorious Chateauneuf. 99 Points. 2010 Domaine de Pegau: Cuvee Reserve. A brilliant vintage with classic aromas, full-bodied with a blockbuster finish. Drink over the next 2 decades. 98 Points. 2007 Vieux Donjon: 96 points, with multiple layers of aromas, textures and long-lasting flavors. 2007 Domaine de la Charbonniere: les Hautes Brusquieres Cuvee Speciale. This is a full-bodied Chateauneuf that has slowly matured to a spectacular wine.96 Points. 2007 Alain Jaume & Fils, Domaine Grand Veneur: An exceptional wine, full-bodied, inky purple in color with notes of cassis and black fruits. 91 Points. 2007 Chateau de Saint Cosme: Predominantly Grenache, blended with Mourvedre, this is dense purple, rich and full-bodied with moderate tannins. 94 Points.

Because of the cooler climate, Syrah grapes dominate the wines of the Northern Rhone. These Syrah wines were all rated 94 points or higher, to be enjoyed now, or over the next 5 to 10 years. 2015 Lionel Faury - Cote Rotie "Emporium". The wine has exceptional aromas and flavors. 2015 Domaine Barge - Cote Rotie Cote Brune. This was aged for 36 months to release the minerality and black fruits of the region. 2010 Vincent Paris - Cornas Granit 60. Full-bodied with intense floral notes and multidimensional flavors. 2016 Rene Rostaing - Cote Rotie La Landonne. A paragon of elegance, it is full-bodied but silky. 2013 Franck Balthazar - Cornas Chaillot. From a very small vineyard, this is full-bodied with the aromas and palate expressing the minerality and fruit of the region. 2016 Andre Perret - Condrieu Clos Chanson. From 50-plus-year-old vines, This Condrieu is floral, full-bodied with spicy notes.

This lot includes two bottles of the Argiano Brunello di Montalcino from 1990. Tuscany boasts the best Sangiovese wines in the world, with Brunello di Montalcino the most highly prized. Argiano is one of the oldest estates, dating back to 1580. In the last two decades, extensive investments in the vineyards and cellars have made it the top-rated Brunello de Montalcino. This is a seductively round, full in body and flavorful, bursting with cherry, plum and red currant. Even after 35 years, the wine may need decanting, or an hour to breathe and open up but they you are rewarded with a rich, deep wine.

The 2012 Dom Perignon is a brilliant wine and is judged to be one of the greatest vintages in the last quarter century. The wine is close to its ideal of fifty percent each of chardonnay and pinot noir. The 2012 is a powerful vintage of Dom Perignon but also has all the customary elegance and structure of the greatest vintages. The bouquet wafts from the glass in a classic blend of lime, green apple, and stony minerality. It has discreet botanical tones, gentle smokiness, and a top note of citrus peel. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, focused and complex with a great core, superb mineral drive, and a long zesty and beautifully balanced finish. Drink 2024-2044

2019 Macon Rioja, 6 bottles in a wood case. Benjamin de Rothschild and Vega Sicilia. Second label of the world famous Vega Sicilia. Macán is a modern and very personal interpretation of the finest and most expressive wines in DOC a Rioja. It is a commitment to refinement, elegance, complexity and power. It is the flagship brand of Bodegas Benjamin de Rothschild & Vega Sicilia, the joint initiative launched in 2004. The 2019 Macán is full-bodied, juicy, firm and brooding. It is a vintage with great potential to develop.

This lot includes three Barolos from the Piedmont region: the 2004 Luigi Pira Barolo Marenca, and the 2004 Manzone Barolo Le Graolere, and the 2001 Paolo Scavino Barolo Bric del Fiasc. Barolo wines use Nebbiolo grapes which make big, bold red wines, high in tannins - these wines need age to mellow, for the flavors to blend. The lot also includes two wines made from Sangiovese grapes: a 2007 Fuglini Brunello di Montalcino, and a 2006 Capanna Brunello di Montalcino. By Italian regulation, the Brunello di Montalcino wines must be aged at least 4 years before release. Both of the Brunellos have rich fruit flavors, with notes of sweet red berries and black fruits. The final bottle in this lot is the 2010 Galardi Roccamonfina Terra di Lavoro, from a tiny vineyard on the slopes of the Roccamonfina volcano, north of Naples. All six wines were highly rated, 94-97 points; having aged 20 years, these wines are now mature.

Wow! This is a fantastic summer Champagne. A 6-bottle group that is highly sought after. Berech & Fils is a non-vintage champagne, using 70% of the current year's harvest and adding "reserve" wine from previous vintages. A blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier blended with the reserve wines creates depth and character. It has vibrant acidity, serving up aromas of pear, dried fruits nutmeg and wildflowers. It is medium-bodied yet precise with a tangy finish. Enjoy on the patio or pool-side with any of your favorite summer foods.