Melchior noun \mel-key-or\

1 :From the Biblical personal name (derivative of Hebrew melech ‘king’ + or ‘light splendor’). A personal name throughout the Middle Ages having been ascribed in popular Christian tradition to one of the Magi.

2 :A gigantic bottle (like the one you’re looking at) that holds 2 cases worth (18-liters) of wine.

We have not one, but TWO of these goliaths today, the only ones we believe are in existence. If you know of any others just like these, and you can prove it, one of these is yours for free!

A regular, good old 750ml bottle of any La Clusiere is an uber-rare sight, less than a dozen vintages of it were ever made between 1988-2001. A retailer in New York currently lists the 2000 at $1,500 a bottle, as per Robert Parker it’s a property that is “now extinct, as this tiny 2.6-acre micro-vineyard was absorbed into Château Pavie.”

Stephen Tanzer of Vinous adds “Under the former ownership, La Clusiere was largely made up of the least successful parcels from Pavie and Pavie-Decesse, says Alain Raynaud, who now serves as general manager of Gerard Perse’s 4 properties (Pavie, Pavie-Decesse and Monbousquet are the others) in addition to owning Château Quinault. But now, Raynaud told me, the wine is truly from La Clusiere’s vineyards, which feature a good percentage of very old vines, he adds. La Clusiere is made at Pavie.”

Oh, and the wine? Pure decadence with the kiss of a quarter century in the cellar behind it. Being such a monstrous format, it’s developing at a glacial pace, so should have decades of peak enjoyment ahead. As Robert Parker said, “La Clusiere’s small production is made in a flamboyant, ostentatious style from 100% Merlot, and is given 100% new oak aging, with malolactic in barrique. A sensational blockbuster, it possesses both class and sophistication.”

Class and sophistication aside, whether you need the ultimate centerpiece or own the coolest, most singular bottle in town, one of these will suit that bill. Sadly, there’s only one pair known to mankind.

95 Points – James Suckling

“This is a phenomenal bottle with licorice, violet and berries on nose. Full body with soft and velvety tannins and a velvety finish. This is perfect now. A fabulous wine. Shame this isn’t made anymore. The small estate was absorbed by Pavie. Last vintage was 2001, if I remember correctly.”