Lot 19
Mr. and Mrs. Smith-Haut-Lafitte

1 – 1.5 Liter 2000 Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte red, signed
1 – 1.5 Liter 2000 Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte white, signed
Two (2) nights in the best suite at Les Sources de Caudalie for one (1) couple
VIP treatment, breakfast, spa treatments, Caudalie products formulated for their skin types and an open invitation to visit the Caudalie Spa opening in New York’s Plaza Hotel in early 2008
Two (2) days, one (1) night at Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte for one (1) couple
Private dinner with Florence & Daniel Cathiard at their 18th century chartreuse, where you’ll also dine with other chateau owners and sample the best vintages of Smith-Haut-Lafitte
Special brunch on the Cathiard’s private island on the Garonne river, with caviar d’Aquitaine, or on their pinasse on the Bassin d’Arcachon, on the Atlantic coast
Private vertical tasting at Smith-Haut-Lafitte’s new VIP tasting room
Special visits to Château Haut-Brion and d’Yquem.

Rejuvenating one’s body can be a straightforward process. Two or three days at a world class spa ought to do the trick. Rejuvenating a great estate is an altogether different prospect. Vineyards can suffer from years of chemical pesticides and the leaching of nutrients from the soil. Even benign neglect can rob a classified growth of its grandeur.

That was the task facing Florence and Daniel Cathiard in 1990 when developing a plan to restore the glory of Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte. The first change implemented was a return to manual harvesting, allowing the selection of the finest fruit and avoiding the damage that mechanical harvesting can cause. Over the last decade, the estate has eliminated chemical pesticides and composted its vine cuttings and pomace to revitalize the vineyard soil.

Within the winery, barrel fermentation, aging upon the lees and manual sorting have both improved quality and introduced complexity and finesse. Its wines are now the finest ever produced at the estate, and have been called “sensational.” The 2000 vintage, here in Magnums of both rouge and blanc autographed by the Cathiards, are full-bodied and concentrated efforts, earning dual outstanding reviews from The Wine Advocate. As Robert Parker, Jr. has said, “Kudos to the Cathiards.”

In addition to extensive renovations to the Château itself, the Cathiards constructed the 4-star Les Sources de Caudalie hotel and restaurant and Caudalie Vinothérapie Spa in the middle of the Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte’s vineyards. An incomparable facility in an incomparable setting, the Sources de Caudalie has recently been elected the best Small Luxury Hotel in the world! To rejuvenate yourself and your significant other, the Château offers an unforgettable experience for two beginning with the finest suite at the Sources de Caudalie, three days and two evenings beyond compare.

Those days will be filled with the finest experiences that the region has to offer. Breakfasts at the Sources de Caudalie. Spa treatments at the Sources de Caudalie, a setting of unusual beauty. Sources de Caudalie products especially formulated for your skin type. An open invitation to experience the Caudalie Spa due to open in early 2008 at the Plaza Hotel in New York. Adventures both far and near. Visits to the legendary Château Haut-Brion and d’Yquem. An invitation-only extensive tour of Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte, with the largest underground barrel cellar in the Bordeaux region and its integrated cooperage, followed by a vertical tasting of Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte wines in the Château’s new VIP tasting room.

Fine dining is a prerequisite for a sound body and mind, and this visit will not disappoint the gastronome in all of us. One evening, the Caithards will welcome the couple to a private dinner with other chateaux owners in their 18th century vineyard home. Dinner will be prepared by the chef of the Michelin-starred restaurant la Grand Vigne and by Mrs. Cathiard herself, with the wines that evening being the best vintages of Smith-Haut-Lafitte - including the prestigious 1961, in addition to some First Growths.

On one glorious day, the couple will be treated to a very special brunch. Depending upon the weather, brunch will be served either on Ile de la Lande, the private island on the Garonne River owned by the Cathiards, with caviar d’Aquitaine and a picnic prepared by the Chef of the Sources de Caudalies, or on the Caithard’s “pinasse” – a traditional luxury craft – on the Bassin d’Arcachon, the magical port on the Atlantic coast.

A personalized visit beyond compare. Kudos indeed.

Insider’s Info: Airfare to France is not included. Visit to be scheduled on a mutually agreeable date.

DONORS: Florence & Daniel Cathiard of Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte