La Tâche 1998 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Côte de Nuits, Grand CruExcellent levels and appearance, bottle numbers from the same rangeAt 11 years old from magnum, a deep colour and an incredibly aromatic nose - this is the mark of the vintage. All blackberries, raisins and blackcurrants on the palate. So juicy and so fresh. Drenched in aromatics. An amazing sweet vanillin taste at the end. Simply fabulous crème de cassis. And the tannins are so ripe they just dissolve on the palate. It defies the vintage in its beauty. Later, in the almost empty glass, a touch of Armagnac! Serena Sutcliffe, MW 73:8 bts (cn)per lot: GBP 20,000-28,000per lot: USD 24,000-35,000per lot: EUR 22,000-30,000LYING IN OCTAVIAN, WILTSHIREOffered In Bond, available Duty PaidThese items are in bond. The buyer has a choice of taking the item in bond (with the sale being made in bond) or taking the item duty paid. Bidding is at in bond prices. If taken in bond, VAT will not be charged on the hammer price. VAT will be charged at the standard rate on the buyer's premium. If taken duty paid, duty at the current rate and bond clearance charges, equivalent to the standard rate of VAT on the hammer price plus duty, will be added to the buyer's invoice. Unless notified otherwise at the time of sale, EU residents will receive a duty paid invoice. Buyers requiring their wine in bond must arrange collection of their wine either by a shipper with a bond movement guarantee or by a registered tax warehouse if the wine is to remain in the UK. If the buyer subsequently removes the wine from bond, the buyer will be responsible for duty, clearance, delivery, VAT and any other charges that may apply from the date of the sale. If taken duty paid, when Sotheby's releases the property to buyers in the UK, the buyer must pay Sotheby's duty at the current rate and import VAT at the standard rate on the hammer price plus duty which may not be cancelled or refunded by Sotheby's. VAT will be charged at the standard rate on the buyer's premium. (VAT-registered buyers from the UK should note that the invoice issued by Sotheby's showing import VAT payable, is not suitable evidence for recovering that VAT. In order to recover this as input tax, a VAT registered buyer must purchase the wine in bond and clear it under his own name and VAT number. HM Revenue and Customs will then issue a From C79 which is acceptable evidence for recovering the VAT as input tax subject to the normal rules.) (All business buyers from outside the UK should refer to 'VAT refunds to Non EU business buyers' for information on how to recover VAT incurred on the buyer's premium).Estimates are per lot