Raphael contributed two different very special large-format bottles, a 3.0L 2002 First Label Merlot and a 6.0L 2007 First Label Merlot. This lot is the 2002, and they made barely a handful of these special large bottles. Retail value is $250.00 for the juice, if you multiply 750ml by four, but actual value for this rare bottle is higher.
From Raphael:
“The 2002 Merlot is earthy and sumptuous showing great complexity and exhibiting the strength and ripeness from an outstanding vintage. Dark fruit flavors like blackberry and cassis prevail with mint, eucalyptus, leather and tobacco aromas. Dense and jammy yet at the same time supple and harmonious, with layers of floral freshness integrated elegantly with toasty oak and vanilla. Malbec makes its first appearance in this blend complimenting the earthy plum and black current aromatics of the Merlot with hints of tropical fruit, violets and black pepper. Our most exciting First Label Merlot to date.”
“This wine is a dark, almost inky purple and extremely aromatic with blackberry and blueberry fruit aromas accented by leather and minty notes. Similar flavors carries over to the full, well-structured palate that has a lengthy, minerally-graphite finish. The tannins are ripe, but plenty apparent, bringing grip and pointing to terrific aging potential.” Lenn Thompson, Appellation America.
Opening bid is $100.00. Minimum bid increment $20.00.
[How it works- Each auction lot will get its own post. As soon as it gets its own post, the auction is live. Once a bit of time has passed, and people really know about Wine for Haiti, lots will go live AND HOT. Every item will got “hot” if bidding reaches retail value. Once hot, each lot is on a 24-hour cycle, ending at 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time. If a lot goes a full 24 hours, from 10:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., without a new bid, the last bid in the comments wins. If we get into a bidding war, with the same people going back and forth, one day at a time, we will post something in the comments of that Auction Lot and schedule a time to bid to the death, at a time mutually agreeable to everybody involved.]
For more auction Wine for Haiti auction items, please see the Wine for Haiti Auction Catalogue.