Chance to taste 1915 Krug this autumn

The chance to taste some of the last bottles of Krug 1915 will be offered by Sotheby’s in New York this September as houses announce their autumn sales programmes.

Taking place on 25-26 September, the opening auction of the Sotheby’s autumn/winter season will include the ex-cellar Margaux sale on the second day.

The sale will feature all the great names from across the fine wine world and particular highlights are the Margaux collection spanning 110 years, the second part of the collection of James Clark and the chance to taste 100 years of Krug, 1915-2015, with Olivier Krug at the house’s cellars in Reims. Bids for the latter will begin at US$15,000.

The first day of the sale will include a collection valued at $3 million and which includes an “astonishing selection” of wines from France (Burgundy in particular), Italy and California.

Jamie Ritchie, Sotheby’s CEO of Wine, Americas & Asia, commented: “We have five sales in four months, with three from single owners, starting with Part II from The Cellar of James H. Clark on 26 September followed by Château Margaux 1900 – 2010, Direct from the Cellars on 17 October. The Fall series opens on 25 September with three terrific collections covering great red Bordeaux and Burgundy, as well as an incredible, once in a lifetime opportunity, to taste one of only four remaining bottles of Krug 1915 at Maison Krug. Offering wines from the greatest collections, as well as unique experiences, all of which come with outstanding provenance, is the focus of our business today.”

The entire sale is expected to make up to $5m.

Christie’s has also announced a trio of “exceptional Asian wine collections” that will headline its first Hong Kong sale this autumn on 11 and 12 September.

All sourced from collections currently in Aisa, the consignments feature over 10,000 bottles of French and Australian wine and a particularly “choice” collection of Bollinger Champagne.

Tim Tiptree, head of sales, said: “Our first sale of the autumn offers wine lovers the opportunity to purchase a wide range of fine wines many of which are ready for enjoyment now, such as delicious vintage Bollinger Champagne and exceptionally good value Bordeaux and Australian wines carefully selected by Peter Chu.”

Highlights of the Bollinger collection – consigned by a Japanese collector – include cases of 1990 and 1995 RD, 1997 Grand Année and 1999 Grand Année Rosé and a case of the 1998 vintage of the rare Vieilles Vignes Françaises – which is made from pre-phylloxera vines (est. HK$48,000-$70,000).