Hsu's love of wine and Clinton on display

LATimes ^ | October 11, 2007 | Robin Fields and Chuck Neubauer

[CutePuppy]

More than 180 pricey bottles and a saxophone believed to have been signed by the former president were seized from his home, documents show.

Disgraced Democratic fundraiser Norman Hsu had a well-known affection for fine living and all things Clinton. And his collector's taste and eye were on display Wednesday, when federal authorities unsealed documents showing they had seized more than 180 bottles of pricey wine from Hsu's New York apartment, as well as a saxophone believed to have been autographed by President Clinton.

Experts valued the wine collection -- which includes dozens of bottles of Chateau Lafite Rothschild and vintage Cristal champagne, as well as California wines such as Opus One -- at up to $100,000.

.....Per Holmberg, director of acquisitions for Vinfolio, a San Francisco company that sells fine wine to collectors, called Hsu's selections classic -- the choices of "a true bon vivant."

Until recently, Hsu, 56, traveled in glittering circles as one of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's most prolific supporters, raising more than $1.2 million for the New York Democrat and other Democratic candidates in the last three years.

.....Hsu is being held without bail in San Mateo County jail, where he is likely finding the beverages below his usual standards, judging by his wine collection.

Beyond the 11 bottles of 1982 Lafite Rothschild, which could be worth $2,000 to $3,500 apiece, experts cited Hsu's other French Bordeaux and several bottles of Penfolds Shiraz, an Australian wine, as the best and most expensive in his collection.

It was unclear how Hsu acquired the saxophone. Howard Wolfson, a spokesman for Sen. Clinton's campaign, said Bill Clinton had signed many instruments that have been sold to benefit charities or party organizations.

Saxophones signed by the former president have brought as much as $64,000 at recent charity auctions.

[CutePuppy]

Good taste in wine... or gauche? I assume it should not be difficult to trace where and by whom these wines were bought? Many of these are numbered, or serialized.

[JohnLongIsland]

any collector’s cigars?

[Rocky]

“Mr. Hsu, do you want red or white wine with your meat loaf?”

[OldEagle]

“Mr. Hsu, do you want red or white wine with your meat loaf?”

Tough call. What kind of meat is in it?

[topher]

Norman Hsu has love[sex] for which Clinton?

[Clioman]

“Tough call. What kind of meat is in it?”

The cook claims it’s red...somewhere between German Shepherd and Palamino. Bon appetit!

[Northern Yankee]

Disgraced Democratic fundraiser...

Is there any other kind?

[LibLieSlayer]

I would not keep anything in my home that ‘toon has had his filthy mouth on!

LLS

[Mygirlsmom]

I couldn't care less about the wine or the woodwinds. But now that Mr. Hsu's name has (surprisingly) resurfaced, how about we talk about some things? Like...

WHERE IS WINKLE PAW?

[afraidfortherepublic]

COURT APPEARANCE: Norman Hsu, 56, prepares to be taken into custody Friday on fraud charges at the San Mateo County Courthouse, where he later posted bail. The FBI has opened an investigation into Hsu’s campaign donations. (Robert Durell / Los Angeles Times)

The above is the picture and caption that appears with this storyinthe LATimes. "Properties" on the picture say that it was "created 10-11-07". Is this an old picture and old court date? If not, why did they allow him to post bail again? If he is out, we will never see him alive again and this case is over.

[Doogle]

ut oh....the appearance of a Hsu story...watch later today the witch will announce another program....this time $10,000 and a free Yugo

[Suzy Quzy]

I had no idea Hsu was in jail with no bond.....I thought they let him out on a 5 million dollar bond. However..where’s WINKLE PAW???? Is he still missing???

[Suzy Quzy]

I did NOT read your post before I posted mine!!! Gain, for both of us...WHERE IS WINKLE PAW??

[Mygirlsmom]

I do that all the time! Further proof that great minds think alike.

[Holicheese]

And a free fon-du every thursday for those who are not lactose intolerant!

[Gritty]

Saxophones signed by the former president have brought as much as $64,000 at recent charity auctions.

Interesting. Quid pro quo?

[Gritty]

[ErnBatavia]

"Properties" on the picture say that it was "created 10-11-07".

I believe if you check properties again tomorrow, it'll show "created 10-12-07".

[afraidfortherepublic]

Thanks for the info. But, that still doesn’t answer my question. Is this a bad caption, or did Mr. Hsu have another hearing with bail set?

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Article has this:

....Hsu is being held without bail in San Mateo County jail, where he is likely finding the beverages below his usual standards, judging by his wine collection.