Krug collection 100% sold in NY

A collection of Krug direct from the house’s cellar was 100% sold at Sotheby’s New York auction this weekend.

The collection made US$782,285, 50% above its pre-sale estimate of $522,100, with three lots of Clos du Mesnil making it into the sale’s top 10 lots.

Those lots were; a case of 1990 Clos du Mesnil which made $58,187 over a $50,000 high estimate, a case of 1996 Clos du Mesnil which made $42,875 over the same estimate and a vertical of Clos du Mesnil, which made the same amount with an $18,000 high estimate.

Margareth Henriquez, president and CEO of Krug said: “I am delighted with the result of this unique, once in a lifetime auction. The enthusiasm, number and level of bids and the whole organization of the sale were extraordinary.

“I profoundly appreciate, on behalf of everyone at Krug, the passion, interest and determination shown by so many Krug lovers from around the world in their wish to acquire these rare Champagnes.

“We are committed to enriching and perpetuating the vision of outstanding quality set down by our founder, Joseph Krug.”

The rest of the sale was dominated by the usual Bordeaux and Burgundy names, a case of Mouton Rothschild 1945 was the highest selling lot at $147,000 (well within its estimates) and it was followed by three lots of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, six bottles of Romanée-Conti 1995, another six pack of 1996 and a full case of La Tâche 1990 making $79,625, $73,500 and $67,375 respectively.

Serena Sutcliffe MW, Sotheby’s international head of wine, said of the rest of the sale: “This was a splendid sale with which to end the year in New York. With a two-day sale in Hong Kong and an auction in London to follow, Sotheby’s has already sold $59.3 million of wine in 2012.

“Interest was very buoyant and there were exceptional prices paid for Romanée-Conti and Burgundy in general, with mature top growth Bordeaux also doing very well. We had the feeling that people were treating themselves with great bottles for the holidays to come.”