Case of DRC makes $1.5m

A case of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti’s Romanée-Conti 1990 has made HK$1.5 million at Zachys’ sale in Hong Kong.

The price paid for the sought-after Burgundy is the highest price paid for a case of wine since 2012 the house reported. The 12 bottles had been estimated to realise a possible HK$1.9m but fell slightly short of this, making HK$1,592,500 in the end.

Held on 16 January, the sale was Zachys first of the season and saw 694 lots of fine wine and spirits realise a total of HK$23m with Bordeaux, Burgundy and Scotch and Japanese whisky attracting the bulk of buyers’ interest.

A 12-bottle case of 2005 Petrus made HK$245,000 and an imperial bottle of 1982 Lafite HK$159,250.

The 150 lots of rare whisky was one of the largest spirits consignments Zachys has ever offered. In total the spirits section of the sale made HK$3.9m.

There was “active bidding” for five bottles of Hanyu Ichiro’s Malt Card Series which sold for HK$122,500. A bottle of Karuizawa Noh 41 Year Old Cask #1842 Single Cask 1971 sold for HK$110,250, while a bottle of Glenfiddich Ultimate 38 Year Old Single Malt made HK$63,700, “well exceeding pre-sale expectations,” said Zachys.

Jeff Zacharia, president of Zachys, commented, “Stock market? What stock market? We are delighted to kick off the 2016 with such phenomenal results. This was one of the best auctions we’ve had in Hong Kong in a long while, proving once again that not only is the market for fine and rare wines strong, but Zachys can perfectly curate sales to give our bidders what they want and deserve.

“From the rare Japanese whisky, to the US$200,000 case, we do it all, and we do it all well. With such strong results we look forward to what the rest of the spring season holds. Next stop: January 30 in New York!”