Donation to Indianapolis Zoo fundraiser dubbed the most celebrated wine of the 20th century
INDIANAPOLIS — A stunning donation of a bottle of 1947 Château Cheval Blanc to the Indianapolis Zoo is a new high water mark for the organization’s yearly wine auction fundraiser. The Elegant Vintages International Wine Auction presented by Fifth Third Private Bank will feature this celebrated wine. A rare find, the ’47 Cheval Blanc is considered a benchmark Bordeaux—in 2010, a six-litre ’47 Cheval Blanc bottle was sold to a private collector for $304,375, setting a world record price for a single bottle.
Renowned British writer and wine expert, Michael Broadbent calls the 1947 Château Cheval Blanc, “Unquestionably one of the greatest wines of all time.” Jancis Robinson, the doyenne of British wine journalists, says, “The flavours develop on the finish in a peacock’s tail of complexity. I honestly don’t expect ever to taste a wine better than this.” American author with Slate, Mike Steinberger, calls the ’47 Cheval Blanc, “The greatest wine on the planet.”
The Indianapolis Zoo’s bottle for auction is nearly pristine. The level is mid-shoulder which is spectacular for a 68 year old wine. The capsule has been dented at the top and there is just the slightest damp staining to the label. This is considered an exquisite bottle.
The Auction is March 14, 2015 at the Conrad Indianapolis. All of the proceeds from this event help pay for the care and feeding of 1,600 animals and 23,000 plants in the Zoo’s collection, as well as supporting global animal conservation initiatives.
Auction Co-Chair, T.J. Cole, is continually stunned by the generosity of the donors and bidders and says, “It is one thing to donate a bottle that is valuable. You do that in the spirit of joining in a good cause (which the Indianapolis Zoo surely is). But for a wine lover to part with a wine such as this, the Holy Grail of most wine lovers’ ardor, is more than transferring money from one place to another. It is relinquishing the opportunity to partake in what has been described as a transcendent experience.”
Bids on this extraordinary bottle of wine will be accepted absentee. To place a bid, contact Special Events Manager, Liz Mok at lmok@indyzoo.com or 317-630-2058.
About the Indianapolis Zoo
The Indianapolis Zoo empowers people and communities, both locally and globally, to advance animal conservation. Located in White River State Park downtown, the Indianapolis Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the American Association of Museums as a zoo, aquarium and botanical garden. Visit IndianapolisZoo.com
