Leflaive tops lots at sale of government cellar

Christie’s has announced the results of its sale, including part of the UK government’s hospitality cellar, which saw a Burgundy, Bordeaux and Rhône take the top three lots.

Govenment Hospitality Cellar: Photo Credit: Christie’s Images 2013

Several top lots of Bordeaux from the cellar were auctioned off earlier this week as the government seeks to make its cellar self-funding.

Highlights from the collection included six bottles of 1961 Latour, 1970 Pétrus and 1986 Le Pin.

The top lot though exhibited collector’s growing love for Burgundy as six magnums of Domaine Leflaive Montrachet from 2005-2010 made £76,050 (above a high estimate of £72,000).

The 1961 Latour came second but fell just shy of its £30,000 high estimate at £28,080. Both of the top lots were bought by members of the Asian trade.

Third place fell to five bottles of 1961 Hermitage La Chapelle, which also just dipped under its high estimate as the hammer came down at £28,080.

David Elswood, international director of wine in Europe and Asia, said: “The sale of Fine & Rare Wines including a Superb Private Collection of Rare Large Formats drew international bidding from around the world. The much anticipated collection of Bordeaux from the Government Hospitality Fund Cellar sparked intense competition and was sold 100%, realising £74,406 (from a sale total of £806,499)

“We were also very pleased with the performance of the Pétrus, vintage 1970; six bottles realised £10,530. We now look forward to our next London sale of Fine & Rare Wines held on the 2 May 2013”