Just three years after auctioning off 18,000 bottles from its cellar, famed Parisian restaurant La Tour d’Argent, will put up for sale more 180 bottles on December 13 and 14, as a part of Christie’s Auction of Finest and Rarest Wines and Spirits in London. Collectors and enthusiasts will have the chance to bid for a bottle of the old, rare cognac or spirits from the renowned cellar with estimates from £200 ($320) to £4,000 ($6,500) per bottle.
At Christie’s unprecedented sale will principally be offered some of rare and ancient cognac, but also some ancient Armagnac, Rum, Calvados, Port and Marc.
The highlight of the upcoming auction will certainly be two 2.5-liter bottles of Grande Fine Champagne Cognac ‘La Tour d’Argent’ 1805, which were bottled at the restaurant 207 years ago, each is expected to achieve up to £15,000 ($24,027). Also, to be offered on sale, one of the oldest bottles to ever auction at Christie’s – Vieux Cognac Grande Fine Champagne ‘Close de Griffier’ Café Anglais that dates back to 1788, with a high estimate of £4,000 ($6,400).
Noah May, Associate Specialist, Christie’s commented: “Venturing into the extensive cellar at La Tour d’Argent almost feels like being an archaeologist – the rows and rows of bottles, floor to ceiling as far as the eye can see, many of which have lain unmoved for almost a century. It is a pleasure to be offering collectors the chance to buy rare, ancient bottles from such a prestigious cellar and we expect international buyers of 19th century spirits to find the prospect very exciting indeed.”
Founded in 1582, La Tour d’Argent is historic Parisian restaurant, that has proved popular with Royalty, international elite and celebrities, such as Grace Kelly, Clark Gable, Charlie Chaplin, Tom Cruise, Paul McCartney and Coco Chanel.. Its famed cellar contains close to 400,000 bottles, all stored beneath the restaurant on two levels and guarded day and night. Guests can choose from an extensive list featuring some 14,000 French wines and spirits. The rarest wines were transferred from the Café Anglais (destroyed in 1913) when the owner’s daughter, Augusta Burdel, married the owner of La Tourd’Argent, André Terrail – grandfather of the current owner.
“We are incredibly proud of the quality and diversity of wines and spirits available to guests at La Tour d’Argent. It is unusual for our diners to request some of our rarest and oldest spirits, and without wishing for such premium spirits to be left forgotten, we requested Christie’s help in ensuring these excellent bottles are enjoyed by those who will truly appreciate them,”added young André Terrail, the owner of La Tour d’Argent.
