Hermitage La Chapelle breaks auction record

A new world auction record has been set at a Christie’s sale in Geneva.

A six bottle case of Paul Jaboulet Ainé’s Hermitage “La Chapelle” 1961 sold for more than £66,350, or over £10,000 per bottle, the highest price ever fetched for the wine at auction.
 
The rare case, which smashed its estimate of £36,000, was bought by an Asian private collector at the sale on Tuesday this week.

According to Wine Searcher, a single bottle of Hermitage “La Chapelle” can be bought from Fine and Rare wines for £6000.
 
Christie’s recorded that as much of 99% of the wines at the Geneva auction sold by value and lot meaning around £1.3 million worth of wine went under the hammer.
 
An impressive collection of Burgundy also featured in the sale and all 37 lots of a private collection of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti were snapped up.
 
"With a clear predominance of European buyers, numerous participants from three continents competed to purchase one of the best selections of wines ever offered in a Geneva sale and Christie’s Live played a crucial role, as 40% of lots received bids online,” said David Elswood, international head of Christie’s Wine Department.
 
“Two anonymous lady bidders won several of the highlights, contradicting the idea that the wine market is dominated by gentlemen,” he added.

Patrick Schmitt, 13.05.2010