NEW YORK, NY.- Christie’s New York Wine Department’s single owner online-sale The Benjamin Ichinose Collection of Fine and Rare Wines, (July 16-31) totaled $2,340,800, the highest total ever achieved for an online wine sale at Christie’s, with 98% sold by lot, 100% sold by value, and 229% hammer above low estimate. There was global participation with registered bidders from 27 countries and 34% first-time registrants. Throughout the sale there were 76 world auction records set.
The top lot of the sale was a jeroboam of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Romanée-Conti 1970, which achieved $75,000. Notable results also included 6 bottles of de Vogüé, Cuvée Vieilles Vignes Musigny 1971, which realized $43,750 against a low estimate of $9,000; a bottle of Petrus 1961 that achieved over three times its low estimate selling for $18,750; a magnum of Château Mouton-Rothschild 1929; which sold for four times its low estimate achieving $16,250; and two bottles of Château Haut-Brion 1929, which realized over four times the low estimate selling for $17,500. There were strong results throughout the sale recognizing Christie’s ability to reach buyers for all categories, from rare Burgundy to Bordeaux and also Port, Madeira and the Mosel. We were particularly pleased with the exceptional prices for one of the greatest offerings of mature wines from California ever to appear at auction.
Chris Munro, Head of Department, Americas Fine Wine & Spirits, remarks, “This collection represented one of those rare opportunities to acquire great wines from an impeccable source, and our clients responded with enthusiasm. Well cellared, bought with strict guidance from importers and producers from a hugely knowledgeable and loved collector, we are delighted to report that nearly every bottle offered from this impeccable collection found a new home. The exceptionally strong results, including a number of world record prices, witnessed in this sale demonstrates the success of Christie’s Online platform’s ability to showcase important collections to the broadest possible global audience. This tremendous sale result is a fitting tribute to one of the wine world’s greatest collectors.”
Bartholomew Broadbent, CEO, Broadbent Selections, notes, "The trusted alliance between Christie’s and the Ichinose family began shortly after my father, Michael Broadbent, founded the wine department in 1966. Ben Ichinose began buying in the early days of Christie’s wine auctions and a lifelong, now two generational, family friendship ensued. Buying and collecting the greatest imaginable wines, many from Christie’s which have re-appeared in today’s sale, the Ichinose cellar was the last of the surviving great iconic American cellars. The two men died within a year of each other but I cannot express how delighted my father was when I told him that Ben’s daughter, Louise, had entrusted Christie’s with the enormous responsibility of taking the pride and joy of her father’s valuable collection to auction. This multi-record breaking sale demonstrates that Christie’s is still at the forefront of the world of wine auctions, as it has been since 1966, and the legacy of my father’s career continues."
