Full Breakdown
Centuries-Old Château d'Yquem Bottles Rescued from Czech Castle Floor
6/4/2026, 4:14:38 AM
Discovery and Restoration
Eight Château d'Yquem bottles (1892, 1896) were uncovered under chapel floor of Becov nad Teplou castle in Czech Republic. Tests confirmed authenticity; winery replaced corks, fitted capsules and re-bottled, preserving five bottles and transferring three to containers.
Historical Context
The wine belonged to Beaufort-Spontin family, who fled Czechoslovakia after World II Nazi accusations. Police uncovered hidden cache during communist era. In 1984 family asked businessman Danny Douglas to retrieve bottles, but police intercepted attempt, prompting discovery.
Timeline
Vintages from 1892/1896, family left in 1945, hidden cache found in the 1980s, retrieval blocked in 1984, rescue began circa 2016, and restored bottles were presented on 1 June 2026.
Data and Significance
The discovery included 136 bottles, eight Château d'Yquem; five survived, three were re-bottled. Czech National Heritage Institute values the collection at $5 million, but the winery declined a price and no auction is planned. Officials stress its moral, historical importance.
Official Statements
Cellar master Toni El Khawand described wine’s acidity, complexity and aromas of cedar, dried fruit. Collections manager Katerina Nyvltova announced a campaign to finance reconditioning of bottles. Czech National Heritage Institute valued collection at $5 million; no auction planned.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We tasted a very small quantity to be sure that, aromatically and in terms of balance on the palate and overall perception, the wine corresponded to a Chateau d'Yquem of that age,” — Toni El Khawand, cellar master, Château d'Yquem
- “What we're really doing when we open it is unveiling a time capsule. We pull out this cork that has sealed the liquid off from its surroundings and, in a way, from the passage of time,” — Toni El Khawand
- “It is a memory, ultimately — a liquid memory, to be sure — but it is a memory of all those who came before us, of the work that was done,” — Toni El Khawand
- “If we raise the money, we will definitely want to do a more thorough analysis of the wines,” — Katerina Nyvltova, collections manager, Becov Castle
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
$5 million estimate contrasts with winery’s refusal to give a price, leaving market value unclear. Condition of the three re-bottled bottles is undisclosed; no exhibition date beyond the 1 June 2026 presentation is set.
What's Next
Becov Castle plans to exhibit all recovered wines and cognacs, including an 1899 Pedro Ximénez sherry and an 1892 port, pending fundraising. Further analysis and reconditioning of the three non-original bottles depend on campaign outcomes, with a full exhibition slated for later in 2026.
