Friday, February 11, 2005

Wine at the Hilbert Auction

Everyone's been talking about the 600 bottles of wine from Stephen Hilbert's wine cellar up for auction on Feb 25 and 26. After some sleuthing, I've found a few partial lists of the inventory. For more information, I supposed we'll all have to pay $25 for a catalog and entry like all the other curiosity seekers.

The wine is being held in a garage or shaded patio (from what I've heard) and will be the first lots to go at auction starting at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, Feb 25th. So if you're looking for some potential deals or what to bid on a piece of Indianapolis history (or infamy, depending on how you look at it), here's the inventory list so far.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25TH BEGINNING AT 6:00 PM
Doors Open for Preview at 3:00 PM
Session I - Wine Collection Fabulous Wine Collection Consisting Of More Than (600) Bottles, Plus One Bottle Courvoisier Succession J.L., No. 358/595 in Presentation Box. Wine: (3) 1971 Petrus Pomerol Grand Vin; 1982, 86' Petrus Pomerol Grand Vin; 1995 Chateau Mouton Rothschild Pauillac; 1986 Opus One; 3.0L; (2) 1982 Chateau Ausone Saint Emilion ler Grand Cru Classe; (6) 1986 Grand Vin de Chateau La Tour Pauillac; (16) 1985-1992 Assorted Dom Perignon; (5) 1986 Chateau Margaux Premier Grand Cru Classe Margaux; 1970 Chateau Haut Brion Premier Grand Cru Claiie, 1.5L; (4) Chateau Lafite Rothschild Pauillac; (6) 1984 Chateau Haut Brion Graves. Plus More!


Below is the URL for the inventory on bidspotter.com which looks like it's handling the online bids for quite a few of the wine lots. As with anyone's cellar, the collection is a little hit or miss. (I'd think it would be a bit like someone going through your underwear drawer.) But there may be a few bargains. On the other hand, if it's like most other highly publicized "celebrity" auctions, the bargains will be outweighed by the bargain hunters and sell for more than you hope. (Don't forget the 10% addition for the auctioneer's commission.)

I did spot some fairly generic Napa Valley and Santa Barbara chardonnays, some grocery store wines (a 2001 Rosemont Shiraz), non-vintage champagnes, a host of late 90s Napa cabernets and zinfandels, and, of course, that very valuable 1996 Georges Duboeuf Beajolais Nouveau. It looks like some bottles are being offered individually but the rest are being sold as partial cases. If there are five bottles, you buy all five. If there's a case, it's one lot. Some of the higher end wines (a 1990 Opus One, and a bit of 1998 Stag's Leap Cab) will probably be overshawdowed by the few high profile stars (the 1994 Chateau Lafite Rotheschild, or the 1982 Chateau Lascombes Margaux .) More interesting to me, were a couple of bottles that just look like they'd be interesting to try like the 1979 Rutherford Hill Napa Valley Merlot or a 1992 Rodney Strong Chalk Hill Chardonnay.

Inventory list here:
http://www.bidspotter.com/forms/imagegallery.php?gallery=1992


Additionally, there are a few interesting tidbits for those who love kitchen appliances, professional and home level cooking supplies, dishes, glassware and bar accesories. (Imagine who Hilbert's had to his private bar for Scotch and cigars!)

Catering House:
(2) Traulsen stainless Double-Door Refrigerators; Vulcan FT8 Electric double Convection Oven; Vulcan VEX3 Two-Burner Surface Hot Plate; Cres-Cor Warming Cabinet; Scotsman Ice Maker; Marvel Refrigerator on Casters; Jackson JP-24 Commercial dishwasher; Mouran 8' SS Sink w/2 HP Disposal & Sprayer; Mouran 'L' Drink dispenser/Ice Bin; Lakeside SS Ice Bin on Casters; American Metal Ware 744 Coffee Maker; Large SS Work Island; Bobby-Built Cooler Wagon w/Canopy Top; Plus Several Kitchen Aid, Hobart, Williams Sonoma & Other Electric Appliances; (50+) Lots Chafing Dishes, Pots, Pans, Skillets, Copperware, Silver Plate Serving Pieces, folding Tables, SS Tables, Racks, Mosquito Nets + More.


Bar & Related Items:
(8) Antique Ceramic Liquor Dispensers, Marked, w/Spigot; Waterford & Tiffany Crystal Decanters; St. Louis crystal Tumblers; Humidor; Lalique Crystal Ash tray; (7) iron base Bar Stools; 1999 Pete Dye Cup Humidor; Fancy bar Glassware; Tavern Scene Wall Plaque; Fireman Helmet Lighter; sterling Silver & Leather Cigar Carrying Cases; display; Wine Bottle Openers; shakers, Blenders, etc.

To register, fill out the form from the auctioneer's site. They'll get you a catalog in advance or you can purchase as the door. $25.
http://www.njgallivan.com/auction_detail.php?user_id=44&auction_id=53766

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