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Cheval Blanc raises the bar on auction prices
An imperial of Cheval Blanc has become the most expensive bottle ever sold at a wine auction.
The 1947 vintage was sold to an anonymous bidder for $304,375 at Christie’s Fine and Rare auction in Geneva.
It beats the last record set by individual bottles of 1869 Lafite, that were sold as part of Sotheby’s Hong Kong auction at the beginning of the month, which raised $232,000 apiece.
It also comfortably beat its pre-sale estimates of $150,000-$200,000. The auction included 280 magnums and 15 Jeroboams from Domaine de la Romanée-Conti dating from between 1937 and 2007.
Christie’s wine specialist Michael Ganne said: “This wine is undoubtedly one of the greatest Bordeaux of all time, not only because of its rare quality but also due to its extensive life span, as it could still be kept and enjoyed 50 years from now with no problem at all.”
Furthermore over the weekend, Sotheby’s sold a unique collection of 2000 vintage first growths with guaranteed provenance straight from the châteaux’s cellars courtesy of Bordeaux Winebank.
In total the collection raised $5,403,527, also beating its high-end estimate of $4.6 million.
Jamie Ritchie, CEO of Sotheby’s New York, said that he was “delighted” by the sale’s success. He added: “Leading the sale was the Bordeaux Winebank 2000 Collection where collectors from around the world eagerly competed for wines with such excellent provenance.
“Strong global demand saw 94% of the sold lots from the Bordeaux Winebank realise prices in excess of their high estimates. We now look forward to their second offering The Bordeaux Winebank 2000 collection in Hong Kong on 22 January.”
Rupert Millar, 18.11.2010