La Chapelle tops auction

Six bottles of 1961 Hermitage La Chapelle topped the list at Sotheby’s auction in New York last week.

Featuring several lots sourced from the cellars of Paul Jaboulet Ainé, the auction raised US$3,241,408 with the Hermitage wines making $479,000 in total.

Selling to an Asian client, the six bottles of 1961 sold for $102,850 (estimate $60,000-$100,000). Asian buyers paid strongly for two bottles of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Romanée-Conti 2005 ($27,225), a case of Pétrus 1995 ($20,570) and a case of Pétrus 1988 ($18,150).

Serena Sutcliffe MW, international head of wine at Sotheby’s commented: “We are thrilled to see such enthusiasm for the selection of Hermitage La Chapelle directly from the cellars of Paul Jaboulet Ainé. The superb prices achieved are a testament to this iconic Rhône wine which was sought after by collectors from the US, South America, Europe and Asia.

“Elsewhere in the sale, the quality of the Italian wines from the Reserve Cellar of Union Square Café reflected the unbending standards of Danny Meyer’s New York institution, with buyers flocking to the collection driving prices over the high estimate for many of the lots. There were also superb prices for top Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne with numerous records set.”

Twelve bottles of 1996 Salon surpassed their high estimate of $3,750, selling for $5,143, while eight bottles of Richebourg DRC sold for $10,285.

Also reaching high prices were some of the US wines, with three bottles of 2002 Screaming Eagle selling for $6,050 (high estimate $4,500) and 11 bottles of 1974 Heitz Martha’s Vineyard Cabernet going for $9,680.