One of the great benefits of studying to become a Master of Wine is that I was introduced to fine Madeira wines, and fell in love with them. The taste is especially enchanting because it is a combination of dried orange peel, caramel, hazelnut, and brown sugar, as well as many other complex notes, depending on the age and varietal. I am also amazed by the fact that Madeira wines never go bad, even after the bottle has been opened for years!
So I was intrigued when I learned that one of the largest private collection of Madeira ever to appear at Christie’s Auction House will be auctioned off in April and June of this year.
Among the extensive highlights are multiple bottles of 1795 Terrantez and full cases of 1840 Malvasia Reserva Velha from Barbeito, and some ultra-rare 18th century bottlings from William H Fearing.
Special Wine Collection of Mr Irwin Kotovsky
The madeira is part of a special collection of wines that features 581 lots, and was assembled by Mr. Irwin Kotovsky. He was a first generation American born of a Lithuanian mother and a Ukrainian father, and proud of his immigrant heritage.
Irwin was a passionate wine collector, and especially enjoyed sharing it with friends in the U.S. and Europe. He frequently traveled to Europe, specifically Paris, as part of his Pittsburgh-based lighting business. One of his favorite restaurants in Paris was Maxim’s, as show in the photo below.
Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne Also Featured at Christie’s Auction
In addition to Madeira, Kotovsky’s collection includes some of the finest Bordeaux ever crafted from 60’s 70’s and 80’s, multiple back vintages of Petrus including 1962, 1966 and 1970. Also featured in the sale is a vast array of mature white Burgundy including Domaine Leflaive.
Additionally, the cellar includes esteemed cases of mature vintages of Chevalier Montrachet from 1991, 1998 and 2004. The sale will feature extensive Krug offerings with multiple cases of the 1985, 1988 and 1990 alongside mature offerings dating back to 1979.
The auction is entitled ‘The Two Continents Collection – The Private Cellar of Irwin Kotovsky.’ It will take place in two parts: Part I (6-18 April) in New York and Part II in London (8-22 June).
Chris Munro, Head of Department, Americas Fine Wine & Spirits for Christie’s remarked, “We are delighted to be able to bring this fabulous collection to auction. With sales across two continents in the Americas and the United Kingdom our global buyers will be able to bid on lots of the very rarest wine from Champagne to Bordeaux from Burgundy to Port and Madeira. With wines spanning four centuries this is truly a once in a decade auction.”