Dear Wine Friends,
I alerted you to the
premiere release and virtues of Piero Antinori's Napa
Valley Antica project last summer in back-to-back
newsletters on August 4th & August 8th. < click these links
to open!
My word was more
than validated last weekend, when the Antica lot received the honor of HIGHEST
BID at the annual Napa Valley Wine Auction
bash held at St. Helena's Meadowood resort.
To be fair, the top earning lot includes tours of
both Napa Valley and Tuscany from Italy's
Piero Antinori, but the bottom line is a tribute to the
wine. A star has been
born!
"Totally unexpected!" as Antinori
tried to maintain his composure after his offering
became the evening's pinnacle of success. "It's
the first time that we have a lot, and a wine that is
practically unknown on this stage".
Not a surprise was
the recession's effect on the grand and glitzy
event's total take; 5.66 million dollars, or half
of last year's 10.35 million dollars. The proceeds
go to a number of charities to pay health care and
other benefits to the vineyard
workers.
Values could be found
throughtout the lots. Compare last year's top cult,
and the valley's most expensive cabernet sauvignon, the
Screaming Eagle lot that included six
magnums and dinner from the winery that went for
$500,000. This year the Screaming Eagle lot
fetched a "meager" $80,000.
The Antica lot's high bidder
was one of Napa Valley's very own, Mary Miner, owner of
Oakville Ranch Vineyards, and two other
couples.
The Wine Consultant has corralled the
last 100 bottles of the
2005 Antica Cabernet Sauvignon.
First come, first serve at $57.95 a
bottle.
Order a six pack for $54.95 a
bottle. SOLD OUT
IDEA! FATHER'S DAY GIFT!
Also, we have plans to take a few "worthy"
Antica fans up to the winery for a
private luncheon and tasting this
summer.
The 2006 Antica Cabernet Sauvignon
is scheduled for an August release.
