HDH celebrates ‘superb’ auction

US auction house Hart Davis Hart is celebrating its May sale which brought in US$5.9 million thanks to demand for Bordeaux, Champagne and cult Napa Cab.

The sale was also 100% sold – all 2,555 lots which means – said the auctioneer – that HDH has sold every single lot it has offered so far this year.

As it said in a statement: “The sale’s incredible quality and breadth attracted a record number of bidders. HDH’s global client base was well represented, as collectors from 44 states and 13 countries participated in the auction. Those who were unable to attend in person used HDH’s auction website and mobile app to participate in real time throughout the sale.”

The house reported that over 45% of the lots were sold over their high estimates with demand for mature claret alone contributing $2.4m to the total, with “robust” prices for labels such as Pichon Comtesse, Ducru-Beaucaillou and Palmer.

The sale’s top lot was a case of 1982 Lafite, which at $33,460, pipped eight bottles of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti’s 1986 Montrachet to the post – the Montrachet sold for $31,070.

Champagne was also a key part of the sale, lots of Krug and Dom Pérignon helping bring in a further $119,000.

Library wines direct from the cellars of Napa producer, Colgin, including wines in large formats never previously released by the winery, was another high point. The 17 lots realised $56,643 in total.

HDH’s next sale will take place in Chicago on 25 June.