HDH toasts $4m Burgundy sale

US auction house Hart Davis Hart is celebrating another record breaking sale of Burgundy in Chicago that was 100% sold and made over US$4 million.

The sale was held on 19 May and made $4.1m against an expected $2.6-$3.9m, with half the lots making more than their high estimates.

Only Burgundy was offered and although Domaine de la Romanée-Conti was an unsurprising best performer making $1.5m alone and all 10 of the sale’s top lots, there was everything from d’Angerville to de Vogűé which was eagerly snapped up by buyers who were present from over 30 countries by phone or internet.

Leflaive, Leroy and Rousseau in particular were strong performers, several lots making more than twice their high estimates, such as six bottles of 2009 Rousseau Chambertin making $15,535 and six bottles of Leroy 2009 Romanée-St-Vivant for $19,120.

There was even a small but exceedingly rare ex-cellar consignment from Hudelot-Noëllat and Remoissenet, which included Richebourg 2004, Clos Vougeot 2005 and magnums of Romanée-St-Vivant from Hudelot-Noëllat and 1952, 1957 and 1966 Clos Vougeot from Remoissenet.

The top lot was case of 2009 DRC Romanée-Conti, which sold for $155,350, closely followed by a six pack of the 2008 vintage for $65,725.

“We were thrilled to see the excitement and passion shown for Burgundy this weekend at both the auction and pre-sale events,” remarked CEO Paul Hart. “Demand for Burgundy is at all all-time high, and buyers from around the globe proved today that they are clearly willing to pay remarkable prices for the region’s top wines.”