Burgundy continues unstoppable auction run

Burgundy’s bull run of the auction circuit continued apace this week with Domaine de la Romanée-Conti and Henri Jayer topping Sotheby’s best lots.

The two-day sale in London raised over £2 million in total and like the house’s New York auction and Bonhams’ London sale last week,  Burgundy reigned supreme.

Twelve bottles of DRC La Tâche 1990 made £39,950 – a little less than the £46,000 high estimate, but two four-bottle lots of Henri Jayer’s 1986 and 1987 Richebourg were pushed well over their estimates by furious phone bidding to £30,550 apiece.

Four bottles of 1990 Cros Parantoux from the producer fetched £28,200 while the only two Bordeaux on the list were full cases of Pétrus 1989 and Lafite 1982, both of which sold for £21,150.

The first seven of the 10 top lots were all bought by Asian clients as was the tenth best-selling lot, three bottles of Jayer’s 1982 Richebourg for £15,863.

Stephen Mould, Sotheby’s European head of wine, said: “We are delighted with the result of our two-day sale, the culmination of a successful year in London and a wonderful way to start the festivities.

“The Two Exceptional Collections presented on the second day featured a superb range of Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhône and Italian wines. Rare bottles from Henri Jayer were highly sought-after by telephone bidders, which drove prices above their high estimates.

“Asian participation was strong, with over 50% of lots finding buyers in the region.  This sale brings Sotheby’s wine worldwide total to US$57.8 million. We now look forward to our next auctions, in Hong Kong on 18 January and in London on 22 January 2014.”