It has been said that America and Great Britain are separated by a common language - never has this been epitomised more clearly after reading what Michael Broadbent MW also had to say:

"From the amazing 1945 vintage, Taylor reputed from the start to be head and shoulders the best '45. A big strapping wine, totally unready in the mid 1960's, with magnificent depth and concentration in the late 1970s. Fairly consistent notes through the 1980s including plummy colour, sublime bouquet, laden with fruit and alcohol. Lovely colour; restrained but harmonious bouquet; sweet, perfect flavour, nutty, intense, great length, at Taylor's tercentenary tasting in 1991. (I recall much debate, the majority of tasters, including Jancis Robinson, Len Evans and Hugh Johnson, preferring the' 45, I personally thought the' 48 had the edge.) Then a memorable bottle at the 50th anniversary '1945 Vintage Dinner' hosted by Sir Christopher Mallaby, at the Embassy in Paris in December 1995. I noted 'powerful, assertive, years of life, impressive."

Remaining supportive, but neutral in the 2nd world War, Portugal and their 1945 wines perhaps do not pack the emotional punch that Bordeaux does, but that important year, not only celebratory and a benchmark for Europe, is a combination of rarity, historical significance and quality thus making this unique parcel of eleven bottles all the more special.

The condition appears to be incredible - with all levels just into the neck. Estate bottled, the wines have been owned by an avid oenophile for many years and stored in Octavian. I have divided the eleven bottles across five lots in order to give multiple buyers the chance to own and taste this wine. They are available for inspection at LCB, Eton Park.

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Auction Details

Thursday 13 April, 10.30am BST
Donnington Priory, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2JE

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