DALLAS, TX.- Eager bidding from nearly 550 collectors drove
Heritage Auctions' Fine & Rare Wine Auction to $2,651,842 in total sales Dec. 11.
The 1,070-lot single-owner event boasted sell-through rates of 96.3% by value and 97.8% by lots sold. The auction lured 544 bidders from countries around the world, including Taiwan, the United Kingdom, Japan, China and Australia.
"The collection that made up the entirety of this sale was exceptional, and the results reflected that, especially the strong prices realized for many older white wines" Heritage Auctions Fine & Rare Wine Senior Director Frank Martell said. "The consignor of this collection is extremely knowledgeable and passionate about elite wine, and it showed in his collection, the last of which found new homes through this auction."
The top lot in the sale, Romanee Conti 1971 Domaine de la Romanee Conti Jeroboam (1) which realized $92,250, was one of 18 lots from Domaine de la Romanee Conti. Other DRC highlights in the auction included, but were not limited to:
Richebourg 1971 Domaine de la Romanee Conti Methuselah (1): $58,425
Richebourg 1971 Domaine de la Romanee Conti Magnum (1): $20,910
Grands Echezeaux 2005 Domaine de la Romanee Conti Bottle (6): $15,990
G. Roumier also was popular among bidders: Musigny 2015 G. Roumier Bottle (2) brought nearly a dozen bids before closing at $25,830, Musigny 2005 G. Roumier Bottle (2) topped its high pre-auction estimate when it finished at $23,370, Musigny 2009 G. Roumier Bottle (2) ended after eight bids at $20,910, and nine bids drove Musigny 2014 G. Roumier Bottle (2) to $19,065.
Of the 1,070 lots in the auction, 701 matched or exceeded their high pre-auction estimates. Among the vintages that exceeded their estimates by the highest margins were:
$7,380: Meursault Les Charmes, P. Morey 1990 3wasl Bottle (3) 1985 3(3.5cm), 1lwasl Bottle (5) 1983 lbsl Bottle (1) 1982 1(5cm), lbsl Bottle (1) estimate: $1,100-1,400
$5,904: Batard Montrachet 1979 P. Morey Bottle (2) estimate: $900-1,200
$4,428: Meursault Les Genevrieres, P. Morey 1983 1(5cm), 1sdc, 2ssos Bottle (4) 1982 2lbsl Bottle (2) estimate: $425-550
$1,168.50: Pommard 1939 Les Epenots, Gauthier Freres 3.5cm, hbsl, wasl, excellent color Bottle (1) 1945 Morey Pacault Fils 4.5cm, hbsl, nl, excellent color Bottle (1) estimate: $160-200
Other top lots included, but were not limited to:
Chambertin 1991 Clos de Beze, A. Rousseau Bottle (3) $22,755
Ermitage 1991 Cuvee Cathelin, J.L. Chave Bottle (3) $22,755
Gevrey Chambertin 1959 Clos St. Jacques, A. Rousseau Jeroboam (1) $20,910