Austin Auction BYOB Treasures: Rare Wines and Table Theft
Austin, TX
Tasted Saturday, November 2, 2024 by HeavyPourWine with 160 views
Introduction
Following our exceptional dining experience at soon-to-be Michelin-starred Barley Swine, my wife Dio and I attended the 38th Annual Austin Rare & Fine Wine Auction Gala at the J.W. Marriott Austin. This prestigious event offered a fascinating glimpse into Texas wine culture that differed significantly from our experiences at Atlanta's High Museum Wine Auction. While Atlanta's auction tends to focus on winemaker dinners, Wine Country experiences and collector lots that bidders receive weeks after the event, Austin's format emphasized instant gratification -- with physical bottles from private collectors that winners could carry home that very night. Through a combination of bottles we brought, wines shared by our table mates, and the unexpected Austin tradition of "stealing" wine from other bidders, we experienced an impressive range of exceptional vintages spanning multiple decades and regions.
For full details of this remarkable evening and our complete Austin adventure, check out my latest blog post "Wine And Food Adventures in Austin? Count Me In!" on heavypourwine.com.
Flight 1 (9 Notes)
Closing
The Austin Rare & Fine Wine Auction provided a perfect counterpoint to our Barley Swine experience - while the restaurant showcased carefully selected hidden gems, our experience at the auction included legendary producers and historic vintages. The evening's clear winner was the 2002 Willi Schaefer Graacher Domprobst Riesling Spätlese (95 points), which impressed even my wife who is not a Reisling drinker. The auction's unique format created an immediacy and excitement missing from other wine auctions. We successfully secured two lots, including a collection of premium dessert wines that helped fill a gap in my cellar. The unexpected tradition of "table stealing" led to discoveries like the magnificent 1998 Château de Beaucastel (94 points) that briefly appeared at our table before being "stolen" again. This distinctive experience established Austin as a legitimate destination for serious wine enthusiasts – one we're eager to revisit.
2023 Realm Cellars Sauvignon Blanc Fidelio 93 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Tasted at our table during the Austin Rare & Fine Wine Auction and Gala. Mostly just scores because there was a ton of socializing and literally no time to write down detailed notes! I brought four mostly younger wines (to minimize bottle shock) with me from Atlanta the day before to share at this event. This was the first wine I shared and this one was definitely the biggest hit!
Brad - heavypourwine.com
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1968 Marchesi di Barolo Barolo 92 Points
Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
Tasted at our table during the Austin Rare & Fine Wine Auction and Gala. Mostly scores because there was a ton of socializing and literally no time to write down detailed notes! This was a bit past peak but still very nice. Old Barolo nose and taste. Some fruit left. What a pleasure to try!
Brad - heavypourwine.com
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1990 Bodegas Vega-Sicilia Ribera del Duero Único 94 Points
Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero
Tasted at our table during the Austin Rare & Fine Wine Auction and Gala. Mostly scores because there was a ton of socializing and literally no time to write down detailed notes! Surprisingly youngish dark red color. Dark red fruit nose. Light tannin. Wow. Super easy to drink.
Brad - heavypourwine.com
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1998 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape 94 Points
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Tasted at our table during the Austin Rare & Fine Wine Auction and Gala. Mostly scores because there was a ton of socializing and literally no time to write down detailed notes! The things I remembered about this decanter pour was that it was, of course, delicious and also that someone "stole" it from someone else's table and poured it for us! Apparently, that's a thing at this auction?!? LOL.
Brad - heavypourwine.com
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1967 Giuseppe Contratto Barolo 91 Points
Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
Tasted at our table during the Austin Rare & Fine Wine Auction and Gala. Mostly scores because there was a ton of socializing and literally no time to write down detailed notes! Past peak. Nose not as fruity as the '68 Barolo we had before. Also, more alcohol on nose. This is officially the oldest dry red wine (or white for that matter) that I've ever tried in my life. Didn't see that coming at this event! Amazing experience!
Brad - heavypourwine.com
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2019 Riise Wine JOVIAN 92 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
Tasted at our table during the Austin Rare & Fine Wine Auction and Gala. Mostly just scores because there was a ton of socializing and literally no time to write down detailed notes! I brought four mostly younger wines (to minimize bottle shock) with me from Atlanta the day before to share at this event. This was the second wine I shared. I believe this was in the decanter for about 20 min before tasting. Black fruit exploding from the glass. Super young and tannic. Complete change of pace from the aged Spanish and Italian wines before it!
Brad - heavypourwine.com
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2019 Charles Heidsieck Coteaux Champenois Ambonnay 93 Points
France, Champagne, Coteaux Champenois
Tasted at our table during the Austin Rare & Fine Wine Auction and Gala. Mostly just scores because there was a ton of socializing and literally no time to write down detailed notes! I brought four mostly younger wines (to minimize bottle shock) with me from Atlanta the day before to share at this event. This was the third wine I shared. The Somm at our table laughed when he saw this wine, and mentioned that the first time he ran across it, he chilled it thinking it was a Champagne and served it cold! PNP. Earthy. Nice showing.
Brad - heavypourwine.com
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2021 La Caccia di San Giovanni Toscana IGT 93 Points
Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
Tasted at our table during the Austin Rare & Fine Wine Auction and Gala. Mostly just scores because there was a ton of socializing and literally no time to write down detailed notes! I brought four mostly younger wines (to minimize bottle shock) with me from Atlanta the day before to share at this event. This was the fourth wine I shared. PNP. Really good showing, but probably would have scored it higher with more exposure to air.
Brad - heavypourwine.com
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2002 Willi Schaefer Graacher Domprobst Riesling Spätlese 95 Points
Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer
Tasted at our table during the Austin Rare & Fine Wine Auction and Gala. Mostly scores because there was a ton of socializing and literally no time to write down detailed notes! Petrol. Sweet with high acid. Lovely. WOTN and my wife loved this as well!
Brad - heavypourwine.com
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