Burgundy auction is a sell out for Hart Davis Hart

A Chicago auction devoted to Burgundy held last weekend realised US$3.9 million and was 100% sold.

The Hart Davis Hart sale dubbed “A Celebration of Burgundy” at Chicago’s TRU Restaurant saw “intense bidding” for lots of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Rousseau, Leroy and Coche-Dury.

The pre-sale high estimate was $3.575m but finished with a total of $3.986m and all lots sold to bidders from around the world, including clients from Luxembourg and Colombia, as well as the usual US, UK and Asian buyers.

The top lot was a Jeroboam of DRC La Tâche 1990, which smashed its top estimate of $18,000 as the hammer came down at $41,825.

The house added that the consignor bought the bottle in 1993 for $949.99, providing a return of over 4,000%.

However, while DRC hit high prices yet again, CEO Paul Hart pointed out that bidding was equally fierce for wines from across all appellations and producers.

He said: “The success of the day went beyond DRC as prices across the board were strong in places like Chablis and Volnay, as well as for the grand cru offerings. The outpouring of bids from around the globe was the strongest we have seen in some time.”

Other top lots away from DRC included three bottles of 2005 Musigny from Domaine Leroy, which made $16,730 against a top estimate of $9,000; a case of 2005 Clos de la Roche, Vieilles Vignes Domaine Ponsot for $17,925; and a case of 1985 Echézeaux Henri Jayer for Georges Jayer at $35,850.

The house’s next auction will take place on 12 May.