PRESS RELEASE | London | 23 October 2012 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Historic Spirit of Le Caf Anglais is Revived Through an Unprecedented Sale of Ancient Cognacs From the Cellars of La Tour dArgent

London - Christies is pleased to announce the auction of Finest & Rarest Wines and Spirits, Including Historic Cognacs from the Cellars of La Tour d'Argent and Finest Wines from Two Exceptional Private Collections to be held on 13 & 14 December 2012. The historical Paris restaurant La Tour dArgent is a destination that has proved popular with Royalty, celebrities, and the international elite for several centuries. The restaurant's famed cellar contains close to 400,000 bottles, all stored beneath the restaurant on two levels and guarded day and night. Diners at the restaurant can choose from an extensive list featuring some 14,000 French wines and spirits. The rarest wines were transferred from the Caf Anglais (destroyed in 1913) when the owners daughter, Augusta Burdel, married the owner of La Tour d'Argent, Andr Terrail grandfather of the current owner. Christies auction will feature approximately 180 lots, principally comprising rare and ancient Cognac, but also showcasing ancient Armagnac, Rum, Calvados, Port and Marc an unprecedented offering of ancient spirits from the

celebrated cellar of one of the most venerable restaurants in the world. Collectors and enthusiasts will have the chance to bid on a bottle or case from the renowned cellar with estimates from 200 to 4,000 per bottle. One of the oldest bottles ever to be sold at Christies, Vieux Cognac Grande Fine Champagne Clos de Griffier Caf Anglais 1788 is one of the rarest lots on offer (estimate: 3,000-4,000); overall the collection is expected to realise in excess of 160,000. Noah May, Associate Specialist, Christies commented, Venturing into the extensive cellar at La Tour dArgent almost feels like being an archaeologist the rows and rows of bottles, floor to ceiling as far as the eye can see, many of which have lain unmoved for almost a century. It is a pleasure to be offering collectors the chance to buy rare, ancient bottles from such a prestigious cellar and we expect international buyers of 19th century spirits to find the prospect very exciting indeed. Andr Terrail, owner, La Tour dArgent commented, We are incredibly proud of the quality and diversity of wines and spirits available to guests at La Tour dArgent. It is unusual for our diners to request some of our rarest and oldest spirits, and without wishing for such premium spirits to be left forgotten, we requested Christies help in ensuring these excellent bottles are enjoyed by those who will truly appreciate them.

THE COLLECTION

Never before has La Tour dArgent released such ancient spirits from its cellars, making Christies auction an exciting, unprecedented event. The collection is led by two jeroboams (2.5L) Grande Fine Champagne Cognac La Tour dArgent 1805 illustrated above far left. An extremely rare format for the vintage, they were bottled on site at La Tour dArgent more than two centuries ago, and are to be sold in their original hand-blown glass bottles (estimate: 10,000-15,000 each). One of the oldest bottles ever to be sold at Christies, Vieux Cognac Grande Fine Champagne Clos de Griffier Caf Anglais 1788 features as one of the top lots within the auction (estimate: 3,000-4,000) illustrated on page one. More affordable bottles include Bas Armagnac La Tour dArgent 1875 (estimate: 600-800 per bottle) as well as several offered as group lots, such as six bottles of Calvados Camut 1929 (estimate: 1,200-1,500) illustrated above centre right

and the most modern vintage offered will be Croizet Cognac 1967 (estimate: 600-700 per six bottles) of which there are three lots. An exclusive invitation-only saleroom dinner will be held on 5 December, where potential buyers can sample the Grande Fine Reserve Renault 1810 illustrated above far right, of which there will be six bottles on offer in the auction (estimate: 2,500-3,000 per bottle).

THE HISTORY OF LA TOUR DARGENT

La Tour dArgents dining room, presenting unrivalled views over the river Seine and Notre Dame, has hosted an almost encyclopedic whos who from Europe and Americas elite social scene. The restaurant is owned and operated by the Terrail family, owned and managed by Andr Terrail since 2003, having taken over from his father Claude. Claude Terrail had run the restaurant since inheriting it from his father, Andr in 1947. Established in 1582, the restaurant continues to delight, and even inspired scenes in Pixars popular animated movie Ratatouille in 2007.

Anita Ekberg

Kirk Douglas and friends

Romy Schneider and Claude Terrail

Grace Kelly

From Royal families and political dignitaries, to fashion icons, legends of literature, the arts, cinema, sports and music, the restaurant continues to be the place to be, and to be seen in Paris. Visitors over the centuries have included

Hollywood legends Grace Kelly, Clark Gable, Humphrey Bogart, Walt Disney, Alfred Hitchcock, Greta Garbo, Charlie Chaplin, Henry Kissinger, Woody Allen, Farrah Fawcett, John Travolta, Robert de Niro, Clint Eastwood, Steven Spielberg, Sir Roger Moore, Claudia Schiffer, Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie; Presidents Roosevelt, Eisenhower, Nixon and Kennedy; couturiers Jeanne Lanvin, Elsa Schiaparelli, Christian Dior, Pierre Balmain and Coco Chanel; musicians Frank Sinatra, Mick Jagger, Elton John, Rod Stewart, Paul McCartney, David Bowie, Luther Vandross and Lenny Kravitz; artists Jean Cocteau and Salvador Dali; sportsmen David Ginola and Andr Agassi, and many many more.

PRESS CONTACTS: Amber Hailes | +44 (0)20 7389 2391 | ahailes@christies.com Leonie Pitts | +44 (0)20 7752 3121 | lpitts@christies.com The complete eCatalogue will be available to view online from November 2012
Exclusive Saleroom Dinner and Tasting: Taste the Grande Fine Reserve Renault 1810, of which there will be six bottles in the auction 5 December 2012 *By invitation only Auction: Finest & Rarest Wines and Spirits Including Historic Cognacs from the Cellars of La Tour d'Argent and Finest Wines from Two Exceptional Private Collections (sale 5963) 13 & 14 December 2012 at 10.30am

About Christies Christies, the world's leading art business, had global auction and private sales in the first half of 2012 that totaled 2.2 billion/$3.5 billion. Christies is a name and place that speaks of extraordinary art, unparalleled service and expertise, as well as international glamour. Founded in 1766 by James Christie, Christie's has since conducted the greatest and most celebrated auctions through the centuries providing a popular showcase for the unique and the beautiful. Christies offers over 450 auctions annually in over 80 categories, including all areas of fine and decorative arts, jewellery, photographs, collectibles, wine, and more. Prices range from $200 to over $100 million. Christie's also has a long and successful history conducting private sales for its clients in all categories, with emphasis on Post-War and Contemporary, Impressionist and Modern, Old Masters and Jewellery. Private sales totaled 413.4 million/ $661.5 million in the first half of 2012, an increase of 53% on the previous year. Christies has a global presence with 53 offices in 32 countries and 10 salerooms around the world including in London, New York, Paris, Geneva, Milan, Amsterdam, Dubai, Zrich, and Hong Kong. More recently, Christies has led the market with expanded initiatives in growth markets such as Russia, China, India and the United Arab Emirates, with successful sales and exhibitions in Beijing, Mumbai and Dubai. *Estimates do not include buyers premium. Sales totals are hammer price plus buyers premium and do not reflect costs, financing fees or application of buyers or sellers credits.

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