This is an empty antique wine bottle from the legendary First Growth estate Château Latour, featuring the historic 1916 vintage label. The bottle dates from the World War I era, a time of severe resource shortages and historic strain in the vineyards of Pauillac, France.

Adding to its exceptional historical pedigree, the lower neck features a mid-century U.S. import strip from Heublein, Inc. / IWD (Hartford, Conn.), showing it was shipped by G. Johanneton & Co. of Bordeaux. Heublein famously hosted the Heublein Premiere Wine Auctions starting in 1969, making this bottle a double-relic of both early-20th-century French winemaking and mid-century American fine wine auction history. The reverse side bears a handwritten collector/lot sticker numbered "373/374." The glass itself is a deep olive-green Bordeaux style with a deep kickup (punt) on the base.

Origin

• Estate: Château Latour

• Region: Pauillac, Médoc, Bordeaux, France

• U.S. Importer: Heublein, Inc., Hartford, Connecticut

Age

• Vintage Year: 1916 (110 years old)

• Import/Auction Label Era: Circa late 1960s to 1970s U.S. release

Material

• Hand-blown/molded antique olive-green glass, paper labels, remnants of original red capsule foil on the collar.

Condition

• Good / Fair Vintage Condition (Empty Bottle): The glass is completely intact with no chips or cracks noticed. The main paper label shows beautiful, authentic aging, heavy foxing, and a distinct vertical tear through the middle with minor paper loss along the fracture line. The Heublein import label shows yellowing from age and minor staining from original wine spillage. The interior is empty and dry, with micro-sediment particles typical of an unwashed century-old bottle.

Authenticity Assessment

This piece displays all the necessary hallmarks of an authentic library or auction-released bottle of this period. The main label features the correct typography and the classic signature imprint of "O. Chariol, Bordeaux" in the bottom right corner—the historical printer for the estate. The glass features a deeply molded, traditional high punt (kickup) at the base with authentic micro-scratches and shelf wear consistent with long-term cellar storage. Furthermore, the presence of the Heublein, Inc. import strip perfectly aligns with the famous mid-to-late 20th-century cellar liquidations and elite wine auctions managed by the importer, providing an undeniable trail of commercial provenance.

Literature Reference

• Book Title: The Great Vintage Wine Book

• Author: Michael Broadbent MW

• Reference Context: Page 37. Broadbent highlights the scarcity and unique characteristics of the wartime vintages of the 1910s, noting the structural resilience of First Growth Bordeaux houses like Château Latour during this tumultuous historical period.

**As with all museum-quality vintage ephemera and historic cellar glass, this item is sold strictly as-found, as-described, and as-photographed. We maintain a policy of leaving all original surfaces, cellar dust, and historical paper wear completely untouched to preserve maximum investment value for the collector. Please review all high-resolution images carefully to anchor your own final evaluation before bidding.**

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Item Description and Condition Disclaimer

We take great care in researching, identifying, and describing each antique item to the best of our ability, drawing on available resources and hands-on examination. However, as dedicated enthusiasts rather than professional appraisers or certified experts, we cannot offer guarantees on authenticity, age, origin, or precise valuation. We strongly recommend that buyers perform their own due diligence, including consulting reference materials or experts, and thoroughly examine the accompanying photographs. These images are an essential component of our listing and depict the item's actual condition, including any visible flaws, wear, or imperfections consistent with its antique nature. It is the buyer's responsibility to inspect each lot and form their own assessment on condition, description and authenticity before purchasing. All items have signs of wear commensurate with age and usage. The lack of statement regarding condition does not imply that the item is in perfect condition or free from any and all defects. If you have any questions regarding the condition of the items, please ask and we will be more than happy to answer and/or provide additional photos as requested.

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