IRVINE, CA, October 14, 2009 – Spectrum Wine Auctions, the world’s newest live and online auction house of fine collectible wine, announced today that its premiere live auction scheduled for 5:00PM PST November 21, 2009, will be anchored by a selection of wines from “The Aubrey McClendon Collection.” The auction will be held at The St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort in Dana Point, Calif., with live auction simulcast in Hong Kong at 9:00AM local Hong Kong time.

McClendon is considered by many in the wine world to be the greatest American wine collector, having built an extensive collection highlighted by the best vintages of French Bordeaux, as well as a deep collection of impressive Napa and Burgundy selections. “The Aubrey McClendon Collection” offered by Spectrum Wine Auctions in November will feature more than 3,000 bottles. McClendon co-founded Chesapeake Energy Corporation (NYSE:CHK) in 1989, which today is one of the largest producers of U.S. natural gas, where he currently serves as chairman of the board and chief executive officer.

“Fine wine buyers have a once in a lifetime opportunity to buy rare and normally unavailable vintages and formats as well as have a chance to own wine pedigreed to one of the greatest wine collectors in history,” said Greg Roberts, chief executive officer of Spectrum Wine Auctions, and president and chief executive officer of parent company, Spectrum Group International. “Historically, our auction experience in other collectibles such as coins and stamps is that collections pedigreed to great collectors almost always trade for premiums down the road. This is an exceptional buying opportunity.”

A special element of the auction is an interview granted by McClendon conducted on August 13, 2009, by Mario Sculatti, director of sales and consignments for Spectrum Wine Auctions, which is viewable at www.spectrumwine.com.

The interview presents a rare and exclusive look into the interests and philosophies of this great collector, and finishes with Mr. McClendon signing an Imperial of 1990 Lafite Rothschild that will be offered during Spectrum Wine Auctions’ November 21 auction, with commissions earned to be donated to charity on behalf of Mr. McClendon and Spectrum Wine Auctions.

McClendon’s collection features a diverse assortment including many grand format bottlings. “While I have a lot of 750s, I think the most distinctive part of my collection is the large format bottles,” he said. “And the reason for that is that when I first saw an Imperial of wine…I said to myself, this is a work of art. This is beautiful. And it’s approachable. It’s sharable. It’s understandable, and at the end of the day it’s consumable. A primary collecting goal of mine has been to hunt for top-notch 6-liter bottles of wine over time.”

McClendon also offers his thoughts on collecting, which are shared by many collectors of fine wine: “Like anything in life, if you’re going to enjoy something you really ought to try to enjoy, I think, the best of the particular pleasure that you’re seeking, and so I would encourage people to go after the best wines,” said McClendon. “Because at the end of the day, when I have found myself hosting a business dinner, or a family function, or a group of my friends…I want them to experience a first-class wine experience. I want them to remember it for the rest of their lives, just as I remember some of my very first bottles of wine, as well. So I would encourage people to go for the best.”

“It has been both educational and inspirational to have spent time with Aubrey enjoying his passion for wine as well as gaining insight into his business philosophy and his history building Chesapeake into one of the largest independent oil and gas companies in the country,” Spectrum Wine Auctions CEO Greg Roberts concluded.

 “Aubrey cuts to the core of what’s important in collecting,” adds Spectrum’s Director of Sales and Consignments Mario Sculatti. “He collects the best vintages in depth of cases and large format sizes, approaching his collecting seriously and methodically without being tempted by lesser vintages. It was an honor to sit with him and learn about his genuine passion for wine, and any collector—whether new or seasoned—will benefit from his words.”

Highlights from “The Aubrey McClendon Collection” include:

Chateau Latour

The rarest bottles of Latour offered in the auction, two bottles of 1945 Latour with outstanding fill levels. Also, 36 bottles of the legendary 1959 vintage. Chateau Latour is a glorious producer, and these gems are true treasures indeed.

Chateau Lafite Rothschild
Possibly the most prestigious lot in the entire sale is a full original wood case of 1959 Lafite Rothschild, a rare treasure indeed. Twelve bottles of 1982 Lafite Rothschild in the original wood case is another amazing highlight.  There are a total of 16 full original wood cases of the famous 1998 Lafite. Many other full cases and large format bottles of Lafite are sure to gain attention.

Chateau Petrus
One of the most coveted wines in the world, the diamond of Pomerol. The auction presents three bottles of 1959 Petrus, 45 bottles of the esteemed 1995 Petrus, and banded original wood cases of the newest vintages as well.

Chateau Cheval Blanc

One of the greatest big bottles in the sale is a 6-Liter of 1982 Cheval Blanc in original wood case. A stunning trophy for the collector.

Chateau Mouton Rothschild

The Pauillac estate is legendary and almost needs no introduction. The largest concentration of big bottles in the auction featuring 1.5-liter magnums, 3-liter double magnums, 5-liter Jeroboams and 6-liter Imperials, including some from the 2000 vintage.  The weight and variety of Mouton Rothschild in the November sale is exceptional.

Chateau Haut Brion

One of President Thomas Jefferson’s favorite chateaux in all of Bordeaux, Haut Brion is another shining light of the November sale presenting 26 bottles of the 1959 Haut Brion. Other highlights include the perfect 1989 Haut Brion in 6-liter Imperial.

Screaming Eagle

A selected parcel of Screaming Eagle includes original full wood three-packs of many vintages.  Two magnums are being offered, the 1993 and 1998 vintages, an incredibly rare format for this cult Napa Valley cabernet sauvignon.

Harlan Estate

A true American First Growth property, Harlan Estate is a prominent feature in the November auction, including a depth and breadth of Harlan’s greatest vintages: 1994, 1997, 2001 and 2002, in bottles and magnums. Spectrum Wine Auctions is pleased to offer more than 350 total bottles of Harlan Estate in the sale.

Chateau Pavie

The 2000 Pavie from St. Emillion is considered by many to be one of the greatest wines of the 2000 Bordeaux vintage, and possibly ever made by Pavie.  The November auction offers 108 bottles of this one wine, nine lots in original wood cases.

Chateau Palmer

1959 Palmer in 375ml half-bottles.  The auction offers three original wood cases originally shipped by négociant Mahler-Besse from Bordeaux.  Each 24 half-bottle case is piece of history, with every bottle wrapped in a natural straw sheath.