Dates of El Bulli cellar auction revealed

Sotheby’s has announced the dates for the sale of El Bulli’s wine cellar in Hong Kong and New York next year.

The wines from the restaurant, which was frequently counted among the world’s best and closed in July last year, will go on sale first of all in Hong Kong on 3 April 2013 and then in New York on 26 April 2013.

Since closing, it has become the El Bulli foundation, an experimental cooking centre. Proceeds from the auction will go towards the foundation.

Serena Sutcliffe MW, head of the international wine department, said: “Those of us lucky enough to have dined at El Bulli will never forget the extraordinary sensations laid before us. There was both an explosive genius about the food and a calm, professional way in which it was delivered, so that one could discover with awe all the secrets of smoke, foam and spheres of liquid involving melon to olives.

“There was surprise, delight and elation in every dish, a seamless procession of magic that opened up before one’s eyes, only to disappear in a moment of bliss! The extra ingredient in these meals was the intuitive pairing of these creations with the enticing, and phenomenally interesting, wine list. We are delighted to be able to bring these wines to auction so collectors all over the world can share the enchantment of El Bulli.”

Highlights from the auction picked out by Sotheby’s can be found on the following pages.

Spain

• Over 2,000 bottles of Spanish wine estimated at over $200,000-$300,000
• Nearly 100 bottles and six different vintages of Vega Sicilia Unico from 1987-1996
• Seven different vintages of Vega Sicilia Valbuena from 1995-2002
• Nine different vintages and 157 bottles of Pingus
• Six different vintages of Clos Erasmus
• Four different vintages of Clos Mogador
• Over 225 bottles from Bodegas Artadi, featuring their Grandes Añadas and Pagos Viejos
• Eight different vintages of Alvaro Palacios’ Finca Dofi from 1994-2007
• Thirteen different vintages of Alvaro Palacios’ L’Ermita from 1993-2007

Rhône

• 415 bottles from Château de Beaucastel
  Including:
  Eight vintages of Château de Beaucastel Blanc
  Eight vintages of Château de Beaucastel Blanc Vieilles Vignes
  Thirteen vintages of Château de Beaucastel Rouge from 1983-2004 featuring bottles, magnums and Jeroboams                                               Four vintages of Château de Beaucastel, Hommage à Jacques Perrin, featuring bottles and magnums.
• Further highlights include multiple vintages of Hermitage from JL Chave, Hermitage La Chapelle from Paul Jaboulet Aîné and Côte Rôtie La Landonne, La Mouline and La Turque from Guigal

Bordeaux

• All five first growths are present in multiple vintages highlighted by full cases of bottles and magnums of Château Latour 2005
• Over 20 Duclot Groupe Assortment cases from 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007, all available in parcel quantities
• Five vintages of Yquem from 1989-2001 featuring five different formats

Red Burgundy

• Over 1,400 bottles total
  Estimate: $340,000-$486,000
• Over 124 Bottles of DRC including:
  Seven vintages of Echézeaux
  Five vintages of Grands Echézeaux
  Five vintages of Richebourg
  Seven vintages of Romanée St Vivant
  Seven vintages of La Tâche
  Five vintages of Romanée Conti, including three bottles of 1990
• Over 500 bottles of Lucien Le Moine, including Romanée St Vivant, Richebourg and Mazis Chambertin featuring multiple vintages, formats and parcel quantities of Pommard, Hospices de Beaune, Cuvée Dames de la Charité and Corton Clos du Roi, Hospices de Beaune, Cuvée Baronne du Bay.
• Many additional offerings from other standout producers, including: Bouchard Père et Fils, Domaine Leroy, Méo-Camuzet, Marquis d’Angerville and Domaine des Comtes Lafon

White Burgundy

• Over 1,000 bottles
  Estimate: $166,000-$228,000
• 28 bottles of Montrachet from DRC from 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004
• Over 600 bottles of Lucien Le Moine including Corton Charlemagne and Chevalier Montrachet, as well as multiple vintages, formats and parcel quantities of Corton Vergennes, Hospices de Beaune, Cuvée Paul Chanson.
• Many additional offerings from other standout producers Domaine Leflaive, Maison Henri Boillot and Domaine des Comtes Lafon

Other highlights

• 1,300 bottles of Vin de Pays de l’Hérault, Domaine de la Grange
  des Pères available in parcel quantities from vintages spanning
  1992-2001
• Multiple offerings of rare oloroso and solera Sherry dating back to 1830
• 70 bottles of Silex and Pur Sang from the late Didier Dagueneau