OK, what have I bought...?

[Tom Archer]

If I was asked to give a talk on Madeira, I would struggle to remain on my feet for more than a minute - I have simply never done my homework on these wines..

Lot 1 of Christie's last sale was not a lot I expected to win - ten superior bottles of port (including a Taylor '45 and Fonseca '63) and two Madeiras - all from the cellar of the late Lord Lichfield, probably the best known of the Queen's cousins.

Given that not long ago, Princess Margaret's personal effects had sold for more than ten times their nominal value, I assumed the wines would carry a significant premium, and did no more than make a rough tot up before pitching a bid.

Well, maybe the auctioneer started before everyone was sitting comfortably - whatever - I won the lot.

The two madeiras are:

Sercial vintage 1940 J. Henriques

and

Malvasia vintage 1880 bottled 1956

Trawling the books and merchants lists, it seems the 1940 Sercials are not uncommon, but the only reference I can find to the 1880 Malvasia was on one of George Rhys's lists, where he was asking £550/bottle

I'm open to offers for these two - I know that if I put them in the cellar, there's a risk they'll breed!

Tom

[Julian D. A. Wiseman]

You outbid me for that lot. Well done, I suppose.

[Alan C.]

Julian,

You almost sounded Magnanimous!

and Tom,

Love the avatar. And your Tag Line (Or Churchills Tag line) is funny.
But look at the two of them sat side by side!

Alan