Comments by Sommelier and Foundation President Michael Vilim

Amazing Wines

Wine Spectator's 2005 Top 10
Donated by: Matt Bair, Larry Peel, Steve Tipton, Michael Vilim (2006 Auction Committee Members)

LOT # 38 - A one-of-a-kind collection of Wine Spectator's Top 10 wines, all rated 95+.

Estimated Value: $2,500

"This is a miracle lot - beyond extraordinary."

1989 Pommery Grand Cru with tour and tasting in France
Donated by: Charles Moritz, MD and Champagne Pommery

LOT # 44 - One Salmanazar (9 liters = 12 bottles) of this exceptional wine and a VIP tour, tasting and luncheon for two at Champagne Pommery in Reims, France, which begins down the monumental 116-step staircase to the Pommery caves - site of ABC's popular Bachelor Paris.

Estimated Value: $2,250

"This is a luxury champagne, the finest Pommery produces, in a bottle large enough to treat 100 people."

1992 Dominus Proprietary Red Napa Valley
Donated by: Larry & Deborah Peel

LOT # 34 - One Imperial (6 liters = 8 bottles) rated 95 by Robert Parker and expected to drink well for 20 years.

Estimated Value: $2,000

Three Great Single Vineyard Barbarescos
Donated by: Donald Stott (Summit, New Jersey)

LOT #69 - Six bottles (.750 liters) in a Cocobolo Presentation case including two each of the following 96+ rated wines:

1985 Gaja Barbaresco Sori San Lorenzo

1985 Gaja Barbaresco Sori Tildin

1985 Giacosa Barbaresco Santo Stefano Riserva

Estimated Value: $2,500

Instant Wine Cellar
Donated by: KitchenAid/Whirlpool Corp and Lacy Hunt, Paul & Karen Leeke and Louis & Rachel Gwin

LOT # 88 - KitchenAid Architect Series "Wine Captain" stocked with 48 Bottles of 90+ rated wines selected by Michael Vilim. The chiller fits securely under the kitchen counter, has three temperature zones for optimal cooling, soft interior lighting, five canted wine racks with stainable maple wood fronts and a display rack - making this a perfect, elegant kitchen piece for the serious wine collector.

Estimated Value: $3,500

1996 California Big Boss Reds
Donated by: Scott Brittain, Cab Gilbreath, D. Kent Lance Jr., Dan Listrom, Larry Peel, Jim Stone, Steve Tipton, Denis Tracey and Michael Vilim (2006 Auction Committee Members)

LOT # 48 - 12 bottles (.750 liters) of 90+ rates wines, including the following:

1996 Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

1996 Dominus Proprietary Red Napa Valley

1996 Quintessa Proprietary Red Napa Valley

1996 Sterling Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley ("Cellar Selection" by Wine Spectator)

1996 Montelena Estate Napa Valley

1996 St. Jean Cinq Cepages Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County ("2000 Wine of the Year" by Wine Spectator)

1996 Spottswoode Napa Valley ("Cellar Selection" by Wine Spectator)

1996 Pahlmeyer Proprietary Red Napa Valley

1996 Robert Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley ("Highly Recommended" by Wine Spectator)

1996 Joseph Phelps Insignia Napa Valley

1996 Fife Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

1996 Martinelli Jackass Vineyard Zinfandel

Estimated Value: $2,000

"The best wines in California take 10 years to age. These are the best and ready to drink now!"

2003 Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Donated by: Caymus Vineyards - Chuck Wagner (Napa, California)

LOT # 53 - One salmanazar (9 liters = 12 bottles) rated 94 by Robert Parker is full-bodied, chunky and expected to last for 13 - 15 years.
Estimated Value: $3,000

"This bottle was made especially for this Auction and only a few others are in existence. Caymus is one of the best wines in California and a great friend of the Foundation."

1990 Bordeaux Classified First Growths
Donated by: D. Kent Lance Jr., Dan Listrom, Larry Peel, Jack Roberts, Jim Stone, Michael Vilim (2006 Auction Committee Members)

LOT # 30 - Cocobolo presentation case including six bottles (.750 liters) of the following 95+ rated wines:

1990 Chateau Lafite Rothschild Pauillac

1990 Chateau Haut Brion Pessac Leognan

1990 Chateau Margaux (Rated 100 by Robert Parker)

1990 Chateau Mouton Rothschild Pauillac

1990 Chateau Latour Pauillac (Rated 100 by Wine Spectator)

1990 Chateau Cheval Blanc St. Emilion

Estimated Value: $4,500

"An extraordinary vintage and arguably the best wine in the world. For new collectors, this is the lot to buy."

Unique Lots

Breitling Watch for Serious Wine Drinkers
Donated by: Russell Korman Fine Jewelry & Watches; Breitling

LOT #47 -- The Breitling Superocean Steelfish watch is as serious as its name. This timepiece is a maverick in its class, distinguishing itself by its extraordinary technical qualities and sleek, trim lines. It can stand up to overpressure of 200 bars, which is the equivalent to a 6,600-foot dive, and has polished and satin-brushed surfaces with a luxurious dial and self-winding movement.

Estimated Value: $2,300

John Hardy Jaisalmer Dot Gold & Silver Cuff
Donated by: John Hardy and Russell Korman Fine Jewelry & Watches

LOT #20 - Jaisalmer Kick Cuff, sterling silver with 18-karrat gold accents, was inspired by the carved stone windows of the desert palaces of India and, as with all the pieces in the Jaisalmer Collection, translates the romance of India into a refined and sophisticated look anywhere in the world.

Estimated Value: $895

Private Party for 200 in the Austin City Limits Studio
Donated by: KLRU-TV

LOT # 81 - The winning bidder of this amazing lot will have the opportunity, along with 200 of their closest friends, to take part in an exclusive party in the legendary Austin City Limits studio with a well known entertainer. Guests will also be able to enjoy top-tier wines and catering by one of Austin's favorite chefs.

Estimated Value: $15,000

Town Lake Wine Dinner for Ten
Donated by: Jim & Patti Stone and Aquarelle Restaurant Francais Jim Stone - 2006 Golden Palate of the Year Winner

LOT # 72 - A party of ten will gather at the estate of Jim & Patti Stone to take in the Austin skyline from one of the most prominent points in the city and enjoy "the most decadent dinner in town", including five courses of French cuisine prepared by Aquarelle's master chefs Terry Wilson and Rob Brady paired with the following 90+ rated wines from the Stones' personal collection:

1985 Veuve Clicquot Rose

1996 Chateau Haut Brion Blanc

1989 Chateau d'Yquem

1989 Chateau Lynch Bages

1982 Chateau Pichon Longueville (Rated 100 by Robert Parker)

1977 Dow Port

Estimated Value: $5,000

Five Night Stay at Martha's Vineyard (Sept. 9 - 14, 2006)
Donated by: Ben & Melanie Barnes

LOT # 79 - Vacation East Coast-style with a five-night stay in Martha's Vineyard at Ben & Melanie Barnes' four-bedroom, custom built home in one of the country's most exclusive vacation destinations Sept. 9 - 14, 2006. In addition, this lot includes five bottles (.750 liters) of the following Heitz Martha's Vineyard wines donated by Jim Stone, Cab Gilbreath and Jeff Hill.

1984 Heitz Martha's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

1985 Heitz Martha's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

1986 Heitz Martha's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

1997 Heitz Martha's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

2000 Heitz Martha's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Estimated Value: $15,000

Kendall Jackson's Night at the Movies for Eight
Donated by: Kendall-Jackson Vineyards (Santa Rosa, California)

LOT # 77 - Join Kendall-Jackson in celebrating Hollywood's most glamorous night for an exclusive 2007 Academy Awards viewing party for eight at the Kendall-Jackson Wine Center & Gardens in Santa Rosa, California. This day-long black tie affair includes vineyard tours, barrel tasting, a preview of KJ's breathtaking Highland Estates wines, an award-winning dinner created Executive Chef Justin Wangler and, at the end of the evening, crowning of the "Best Dressed Couple". This lot also includes air travel and lodging at the Vintner's Inn for eight guests, car service from airport to all scheduled events, a vineyard tour, wine tasting and lunch with Winemaker Randy Ullom and a salmanazar (9 liters) of 2002 Kendall Jackson Highland Estates Hawkeye Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon in a hand-painted bottle.

Estimated Value: $16,000