Cristal ‘sparkles’ at Bonhams sale

A Methuselah of 2002 Cristal was one of the top lots at Bonhams’ London sale this week, selling for £3,290.

The focal point of the sale was an “exciting” collection of Champagne from a Scandinavian collector and Louis Roederer’s Cristal in fact scooped eight of the 10 best-selling lots from the consignment, with another six magnums selling for £2,350.

A bottle of 1907 Heidsieck Monopole ‘Goût Américain‘ salvaged from the wreck of the Jönköping sold for £1,762 – just above its £1,500 pre-sale high estimate.

Held in London on 14 April, the sale realised £777,498 in total, £150,000 of that coming from the sale of the Champagne collection, which spanned 221 lots.

Classed growth Bordeaux also made a strong showing at the sale, highlights included two cases of 2010 Latour (£8,519 apiece) and 2010 Cheval Blanc (£6,463) – both prices being considerably above the pre-sale high estimates.

In total Bordeaux contributed over £400,000 to the final tally.

Elsewhere, 11 bottles of 1976 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti La Tâche went for £10,575, again, substantially above their high estimate.

The head of Bonhams Wine Department, Richard Harvey MW, commented: “With two such strong collections at the core of our sale, interest was very high and the bidding predictably keen. It’s very encouraging to see demand strengthening again for Bordeaux; the parcel of 160 lots of 2009, 2010 and 2011 vintages was 100% sold with many wines reaching or exceeding top estimate.”