DRC leads ‘white glove’ sale in NYC

Sotheby’s enjoyed a ‘white glove’ fine wine sale in New York this week, with a total of US$2.3 million raised from over 200 lots.

Held in New York on Saturday 21 October, the sale was 100% with the average price of each of the 293 lots working out at $8,067.

A consignment sold for the benefit of a children’s charity in Brazil raised over $1m and there was intense bidding for fine Burgundy led by the wines of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti and “outstanding” lots of claret.

The sale’s leading lot was a six bottle case of 1996 Romanée-Conti which went for $134,750 – 225% over its pre-sale low estimate.

Over top lots included six bottles of 1988 Romanée-Conti, 12 bottles of 1996 La Tâche, a magnum of 1996 Romanée-Conti, 12 bottles of 2002 Vosne-Romanée Cros Parantoux from Emmanuel Rouget and a full case of 2000 Lafite.

Paul Tortora, senior specialist at Sotheby’s Wine Department in New York, said: “We are thrilled with the exceptional results of this Saturday’s sale, which brought $2.3 million, comfortably exceeding the high estimate of $1.9 million, and achieving white-glove status, with 100% of lots sold.

“The sale was led by a Distinguished Cellar Benefitting Instituto Solidare, which set the tone for the competitive bidding particularly from North America, Latin America and Asia, leading to many unprecedented prices. This Saturday’s result speaks to the continued strength of the market for impeccably cellared, iconic wines and we look forward to our next auction.”