HONG KONG.- This summer, embark on a vinous journey with
Christie’s one-day auction of wines from Dr Ku’s Apothecary Collection. Taking place on August 31 with a primary focus on Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhône and Champagne, the sale offers over 720 lots and is estimated to realize in excess of HK$21 million.
A fine wine enthusiast and experienced collector, Dr Gordon Ku’s love for wine began over 40 years ago. As a physician, he wishes to share his passion for wines and food, besides his long career in medicine, particularly in the field of kidney problems.
“The best moment of my day is my first sip of champagne after a long day’s work. Wine provokes emotions which mirror life – the anticipation when uncorking a good wine; the joy of sharing; the hope and expectation that the next vintage is a better one, and likewise tomorrow to be a better day,” Ku says about his collection, “‘The ‘Apothecary’ was stocked over a period of 40 years. Faced with the inability to achieve immortality, a desire to share my passion with others, and a need to create space for tomorrow’s wines, it is finally time for me to part with a portion of my ‘Apothecary’. As such, I see this sale as a celebration of life, good food and wine, and sharing.”
To complement the theme of food and wine pairings, “Dr Ku’s Apothecary” catalogue is presented in a format of wine list menus which provides easy reference. We also continue with Christie’s “Perfect Pairing” food and wine notes, which were warmly welcomed by our collectors and connoisseurs since its debut in the May 2013 sale. Christie’s pushes this “Perfect Pairing” concept forward and digs into the traditional Asian cooking philosophy, pairing fine wines with the home cooking recipes of ancient scholars. All food mentioned in the wine catalogue is derived from Suiyuan Shidan, a cookery book written by Chinese poet Yuan Mei (1716 – 1797) in the Qing dynasty, epitomizing the art and craft of ancient home cooking in the Jiangnan area during that era.
As a real treasure trove of wines, with something for all wine connoisseurs and collectors, the auction features wines from some of the most prestigious wine producing regions and countries, such as France, Australia, Spain, Italy, California of the United States, and more, as well as the finest wine producers, ranging from Château Lafleur Vintage 2000 & 2001 (Lot 398, Estimate per lot: HK$26,000 – 35,000) and Krug Vintage 1998 (Lot 47, Estimate per lot: HK$24,000 – 32,000), to Mixed Vintages of Château Calon-Ségur (Lot 209, Estimate per lot: HK$11,000 – 15,000), Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos Vintage 2006 Dauvissat (Lot 76, Estimate per lot: HK$11,000 – 15,000) and Côte de Nuits Grand Crus Romanée-Conti, Richebourg & Romanée-St-Vivant Vintage 2007 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Lot 557, Estimate per lot: HK$120,000 – 160,000; Lot 553, Estimate per lot: HK$60,000 – 85,000; and Lot 565, Estimate per lot: HK$30,000 – 42,000).
Simon Tam, Head of Wine for Christie’s China, says, “Christie’s is extremely pleased to present a portion of Dr Ku’s vast cellar. The sale represents vinous pleasure from the world's finest vineyards. Many of the maturing wines on offer in this sale are approaching their delicious drinking windows and some will further evolve over short to medium-term cellaring. This is a collection for enjoyment.”
