‘Monumental’ fine wine collection to be auctioned in three cities

A “monumental” collection of fine wines is to be auctioned by Sotheby’s in London, New York and Hong Kong this spring.

Spanning “every category of wine from the best vinous areas of the world,” the sales will span 1,290 lots and is expected to raise in excess of £4.3 million (US$5.3m/HK$41.1m).

The first part of the sale will take place in New York on 25 March, the second in London on 29 March and the third and final part in Hong Kong on 1 April.

Serena Sutcliffe MW, honorary chairman of Sotheby’s Wine, said: “Everyone who has ever wished to experience for themselves wines that are flagships in their genre will find what they want in these auctions. The first growths are stunning, the DRC is breathtaking, there are grands crus galore and glorious North and South Rhônes.

“Both professionals and knowledgeable amateurs will find everything they have ever imagined putting in their cellar or, even better, pouring in their glass.”

Stephen Mould, head of wine for Sotheby’s Europe, added: “The owner, an avid collector and lover of wine, has selected some incredible wines from his star-studded cellars for these three auctions, enabling enthusiasts to share in his passion for the most sought after vintages.

“With sales in New York, London and Hong Kong, buyers from all corners of the globe will have a unique opportunity to purchase rarities from a dream-like collection. Focusing on the finest wines from Burgundy and Bordeaux, with other gems making an appearance in a range of formats from half bottles to imperials, this is a collection which should not be missed.”

Highlights from the sales include Masseto in a variety of formats between 2004 and 2011 in New York, Ermitage, Hermitage and Côte Rôtie in London and ‘historic’ claret from the 1940s, ‘50s and ‘70s in Hong Kong.

Further standout lots include:

New York:

• Chambertin, Clos de Bèze 1985, Domaine Armand Rousseau, 4 bottles, est. $9,500-12,000 (lot 20)
• La Tâche 1989, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, 1 Methuselah, est. $15,000-19,000 (lot 46)
• Vosne Romanée, Cros Parantoux 1990, Henri Jayer, 1 bottle, est. $7,500-10,000 (lot 97)
• Musigny 1990, Domaine Georges Roumier, 6 bottles, est. $26,000-32,000 (lot 137)
• Latour 1945, 1 Magnum, est. $6,000-8,000 (lot 272)
• Yquem 1945, 1 Magnum, est. $4,000-5,000 (lot 301)
• Masseto 2006, 1 Imperial, est. $5,500-7,000 (lot 193)
• Masseto 2008, 1 Magnum, est. $850-1,100 (lot 213)
• Vega Sicilia ‘Unico’ 1970, 12 bottles, est. $9,000-12,000 (lot 339)

London:

• Romanée Conti 1959 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, 1 Magnum, £12,000-16,000 (lot 36)
• Echézeaux 1985 Henri Jayer, 1 Magnum, est. £8,000-10,000 (lot 48)
• Echézeaux 1990 Henri Jayer, 6 bottles, est. £22,000-28,000 (lot 49)
• Montrachet 2007, Domaine des Comtes Lafon, 5 bottles, est. £3,600-4,600 (lot 342)
• Latour 1929, 1 Magnum, est. £4,000-5,200 (lot 1)
• Cheval Blanc 1947, 1 Double Magnum, est. £50,000-65,000 (lot 4)
• La Mission Haut Brion 1955, 7 bottles, est. £7,000-9,000 (lot 8)
• Hermitage La Chapelle 1959 Paul Jaboulet Aîné, 3 bottles, est. £4,600-5,800 (lot 59)
• Château de Beaucastel, Hommage à Jacques Perrin 2005, 6 bottles, est. £1,200-1,600 (lot 395)

Hong Kong:

• Haut Brion 1928, 6 bottles, est. HK$ 55,000-75,000 / US$ $7,000-9,500 (lot 6243)
• Lafite 1949, 4 Magnums, est. HK$ 65,000-85,000 / US$8,000-10,000 (lot 6175)
• Margaux 1959, 12 bottles, est. HK$ 70,000-90,000 / US$9,000-11,000 (lot 6205)
• Palmer 1961, 12 bottles, est. HK$ 160,000-220,000 / US$ 20,000-28,000 (lot 6282)
• La Tâche 1978, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, 3 bottles, est. HK$ 60,000-80,000 / US$7,500-10,000 (lot 6034)
• Echézeaux 1978, Henri Jayer, 1 Magnum, est. HK$ 100,000-140,000 / US$12,000-18,000 (lot 6050)
• Vosne Romanée, Cros Parantoux 1978, Henri Jayer, 1 Magnum, est. HK$ 100,000-140,000 / US$12,000-$18,000 (lot 6055)
• Corton Charlemagne 2002, J.-F. Coche-Dury, 6 bottles, est. HK$ 90,000-120,000 / US$11,000-15,000 ( lot 6136)
• Hermitage, La Chapelle 1961, Paul Jaboulet Aîné, 12 bottles, est. HK$ 800,000-1,000,000 / US$100,000-120,000 (lot 6434)
• Sassicaia 1985, 3 Magnums, est. HK$ 50,000-65,000 / US$6,000-8,000 (lot 6467)
• Vega Sicilia ‘Unico’ 1942, 6 bottles, est. HK$ 42,000-55,000 / US$5,000-7,000 (lot 6499)
• Vega Sicilia ‘Unico’ 1953, 6 bottles, est. HK$ 32,000-42,000 / US$4,000-5,000 (lot 6498)