‘Greatest ever’ Italian collection draws buyers

The “greatest ever” Italian collection offered by Acker Merrall & Condit was hailed as a major part of the house’s success at a recent New York sale.

The sale on Saturday 23 realised US$3.1 million and despite the continued dominance of Bordeaux and Burgundy, it was the Italian collection that Acker Merrall wanted to talk about.

Diversity again proved to be the watch word for the market, led by the most spectacular collection of Italian wines I have ever seen,” said Acker Merrall & Condit’s CEO, John Kapon.

“Burgundy’s momentum continued, led by two extraordinary parcels of Raveneau and Liger-Belair that came to us directly from Europe.”

The majority of the Italian lots were verticals, highlights included a four magnum collection of Bartolo Mascarello Barolo made up of the 1952, 1971, 1986 and 1988 which rose above its high estimate of $4,800 to sell for $7,995.

Similarly, a 12-bottle mix of Soldera Brunello went for $6,150 and an 18-bottle lot of Gaja Sori San Lorenzo sold for 30% over its high estimate for $7,995.

The top three lots of the auction were Burgundian, however, three bottles of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti 2006 Romanée-Conti led the way at $27,060; a case of 1962 Leroy Romanée-St-Vivant went for $24,600 and a rare 12-bottle case of Armand Rousseau 1990 Chambertin Clos de Bèze realised $18,450.

Also among the top lots were cases of Mugnier, Roumier and Liger-Belair.

What Acker Merrall dubbed the “Bordeaux renaissance” also continued – in line with predictions for the year.

Fifteen of the top 25 lots were from the region and spanned vintages from 1945 to 2009.

Particularly impressive were the 1989 Haut-Brion’s (taking centre stage at Sotheby’s London sale tomorrow, 27 February) and 1982 Latour, cases of which both sold for $15,990.