Burgundy and Spain headline February sales

Burgundy and Spain will be a major part of Wally’s New York and Bonhams’ London sales towards the end of this month.

Wally’s two-day auction in New York on 20 and 21 February will be dominated by Burgundy from “The Empire Collection”, while Bonhams London sale on 19 February comes from the cellar of a Spanish collector and naturally includes a fine selection of top Spanish wines.

Bonhams’ sale includes a roll-call of famous fine wines. From Spain there are cases of 1948 and 1953 Vega Sicilia Unico (£3,000-£4,000 apiece), 1922, 1925 and 1938 Marques de Riscal Reserva (£1,200-£1,400) and Castillo Ygay Reserva Especial 1934 (£1,500-£1,800).

From France comes 1953 and 1982 Pétrus, 1945 Mouton Rothschild, 2004 and 1970 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, 1990 Hermitage La Chapelle and magnums of 1982 rosé and 1990 Methuselahs of Cristal.

Head of Bonhams Wine Department, Richard Harvey MW, said:  ”As usual, there is a wide selection of wines in this sale but the range of first growth claret is particularly impressive.  Interest in Bordeaux is returning, as witnessed by the wine tasting hosted in London recently with Château Mouton Rothschild.”

Wally’s sale is similarly prestigious and even bigger. Taking place at Daniel Boulud’s famed Restaurant Daniel, the centrepiece of the sale on the first day are the 300 lots of grand cru Burgundy from Bouchard, Comtes Georges de Vogüé, Drouhin, Jadot, Meo-Camuzet, Ponsot, Ramonet, Leroy and d’Auvenay.

Highlights include cases of 1989, 1996, 2002 and 2004 Clos de la Roche Vieilles Vignes from Domaine Ponsot, a case of 1990 Charmes Chambertin Tres Vieilles Vignes from Joseph Roty, two bottles of 2000 Musigny from Domaine Faiveley, and magnums and Jeroboams of 1996 Montrachet Domaine Ramonet.

Day one will also feature Bordeaux, Rhône and Italian wines such as 2003 Lafleur, 1997 Haut-Brion Blanc, an “encyclopaedic” range of Chapoutier’s red and white cuvées up to Methuselah in format size and magnums of 1999 Aldo Conterno’s Barolo Granbussia Riserva and a five-litre bottle of the 2000.

On day two meanwhile, DRC and Vega Sicilia lead the charge with a “dazzling” array of DRC from 1990-2010 and bottles of Unico 1936, 19398, 1939, 1940, 1941 and 1948.

There’ll be more Burgundy from 1988 Clos de la Roche and Clos Saint Denis from Domaine Dujac, magnums of 1990 Clos de Vougeot from Meo-Camuzet and 1996 Chambolle Musigny Les Amoureuses from JF Mugnier.

Wally’s Auctions president and CEO, Michael Jessen, commented: “We are delighted to welcome 2015 with the extraordinary February auction. Crafted from the best cellars known to Wally’s around the globe, The February Auction offers bidders myriad opportunities to obtain ultra-fine and rare wines with exceptional provenance. This two-session auction is particularly exciting for its vast selections of highly sought-after Burgundy, especially those found in the full day from The Empire Collection on Friday, February 20. Wally’s looks forward to providing the utmost in fine wines and service to our clientele in 2015 and beyond.”