DRC tops another auction

Domaine de la Romanée-Conti again topped the list at Sotheby’s auction in London last week.

In what is becoming something of a pattern of late the two cases of Romanée-Conti 1988 beat the likes of 1982 Lafite and Latour to become the most expensive lots.

However, unlike Bonham’s sale earlier this month where a case of the same wine set a new record when it sold for £74,750, at the Sotheby’s auction the cases fell well within their estimates of £58,000-£70,000, selling for £63,250 apiece.

In total 71 lots from a line-up of 459 went unsold and in what has also been a noticeable trend this year, seven of the top 10 lots sold well within their estimates.

Stephen Mould, head of Sotheby’s European wine department, said: “The opening sale of the season featured some wonderful collections. A private cellar, which included outstanding 1982 vintage claret, attracted interest in the saleroom and sold comfortably within estimates.

“Pétrus 2008 was the highlight of a range of 2008s all recently shipped from Bordeaux, while Château Mouton Rothschild 2000 exceeded its high estimate (£10,000), selling for £13,800 to a European collector.”