NewsBy Arabella MilehamA complete and “impeccably preserved” 40-bottle vertical of Napa legend Spottswoode Estate Cabernet Sauvignon has smashed its auction estimate to achieve US$32,500 at a Christie’s LA sale. The vertical, which spanned the 40 years since the estate’s first vintage in 1982, was consigned by the Novak Family, who have owned Spottswoode since 1972, from their own personal collection. The estate, which lies in the St Helena district of Napa Valley, dates back to 1882 when grapes were first planted on the site. The vertical formed the highlight of the Fine and Rare Wines Online: LA Edition, which raised over US$1,465,500 in total. Other lots sold in the sale included three bottles of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Romanée-Conti 2017 which achieved US$50,000; six magnums of Château Lafite Rothschild 1982, which sold for $27,500; three bottles of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Romanée-Conti 1985 which sold for $40,000; and ten bottles of Petrus 1996, which realized $23,750.