LOS ANGELES, CA.- Bonhams & Butterfields announced its summer Wine auction on June 18, 2011 in San Francisco, simulcast to Los Angeles. The sale, which will consist of numerous fine and rare wines, features several collections of important Bordeaux and Burgundy vintages, as well as a selection of extraordinary California “Cult” wines.

Highlighting the sale is a Royal Flush of the 1970 First-Growth Bordeaux from Chateau Lafite, Chateau Latour, Chateau Mouton-Rothschild, Chateau Margaux and Chateau Haut Brion, as well as a 1970 Chateau d’Yquem. All presented in original wooden cases, the highly sought after wines are collectively estimated to bring $16,500-21,000.

A robust selection of Chateau Petrus, ranging from twelve bottles of 1975 (est. $15,000-20,000) to six bottles of 2002 (est. $5,500-7,000), with various bottle groupings in between will be featured, including a pair of magnums from 1982 (est. $6,500-8,500). Early wines of interest also include a bottle of 1934 Chateau Margaux (est. $450-600); a bottle of 1943 Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Les Cedres, by Paul Jaboulet Aine (est. $200-300); six bottles of 1957 Chateau Latour (est. $1,300-1,800); four half-liter bottles of Tokaji Aszu Essencia, vintage 1957 (estimates range from $300-850); and a bottle 1963 Quinta do Noval Vintage Port, from the Nacional plot (est. $1,700-2,200).

From the remarkable collection of a Bay Area consignor, Bonhams & Butterfields will offer a strong selection of Burgundy and Bordeaux that spans the 20th century and includes bottles from some of the top producers and vintages from these regions. This collection features such top Burgundian producers as Domaine de la Romanee-Conti, Comte Lafon, Rene Engel and Jean Gros, with grand cru and premier cru wines from the outstanding vintages of 1937, 1949, 1959, 1962 and 1969 (estimates vary). All wines were purchased upon release and kept in a precisely temperature-controlled cellar, with bottles showing ideal ullage and color.

Also on offer is a pristine selection from a Reno collector, all purchased upon release and kept in professional storage. These wines are in outstanding condition and include
several 100-point Robert Parker-rated wines, including the 1982 La Mission Haut Brion (est. $6,000-9,000), 1990 Chateau Margaux (est. $9,000-12,000) and the 1990 Chateau Montrose (est. $4,800-6,500).

From the collection of a Bay Area gentleman will be an excellent assortment of blue chip Bordeaux and Rhone, the majority purchased en premieur, and kept in professional
temperature-controlled storage. These wines are almost exclusively in their original wooden cases, and have never seen the light of day since shipping. Highlights will include, among many superb lots, cases of 1989 Chateau Haut Brion (est. $12,000- $15,000) and 1990 Chateau Margaux (est. $9,000-$11,000).

Classic California wines notably featured within the summer auction include three vintages of Screaming Eagle, in wooden cases, purchased from the estate by a Bay Area consignor (estimates range from $2,200-4,000); a vertical sequence of Scarecrow from 2005-2008 (estimates vary); a robust sequence of Harlan, in original wooden cases from 1997-2003 (estimates vary), and a two-bottle offering of 2005 Screaming Eagle from an important Napa Valley Cellar (est. $3,000-4,000). These sought after wines are presented in original wooden cases and have been stored in a perfect temperature and humidity-controlled environment.

Inglenook wines prominently featured in the June sale are from the private family collection of John Daniel, Jr., wine maker at Inglenook from 1939 to 1964. The rare to market offering includes two bottles of the 1933 Inglenook Cabernet Sauvignon (est. $1,000-2,000 each) that was the first wine produced by Inglenook following prohibition, and a wine which James Laube of Wine Spectator described as “ stunning...with a deep, dark color and rich, complex, concentrated flavors.” These wines, due to their extreme rarity and personal connection to John Daniel, Jr., may easily surpass these estimates.

Another key highlight of the June sale is the cellar of Marche, a favorite Menlo Park, Calif., restaurant that closed its doors in March of this year. All wines were purchased direct from importer and stored in the restaurant's temperature controlled wine cellar (estimates vary).

The June auction also includes a strong charitable component. The offering will be lead by an extremely rare magnum of 2007 Scarecrow, which will be offered to benefit the Arts Council Napa Valley’s Cameo Community Program. This will fund community and educational outreach at the Cameo Theater in St. Helena, Calif., in the heart of the Napa Valley.

Additionally, Bonhams & Butterfields will feature a selection of 35 lots with the seller’s proceeds allocated to benefit STOP CANCER, a nonprofit volunteer organization located in Los Angeles. The organization is dedicated to funding the most promising and innovative scientists in their early research of all forms of cancer prevention, treatment and cures. The wines, which are from primarily California Producers, have been donated to STOP CANCER from the considerable private collection of the owners of Peppone's restaurant in Los Angeles. (Please see separate press release.)

The illustrated auction catalog for the Wine Auction is available online for review and purchase in the weeks preceding the sale at www.bonhams.com or via PDF at http://forms.butterfields.com/pdf/19234_Wine.pdf.