Top 10 lots of Sotheby’s Palmer sale

Sotheby’s upcoming Château Palmer auction includes trips to the estate, the chance to buy a barrel of its 2015 vintage and rare opportunities to bid on classic vintages. We look at the top 10 lots on offer. 

Happening on 4 June at Sotheby’s Hong Kong gallery, the sale is the first time a large collection of wines direct from Château Palmer’s cellars will be offered at auction.

Spanning 87 years from 1928-2015 with a number of classic vintages including 1959 and 1961 in multiple formats, the auction also marks the debut of a 225-litre barrel of Château Palmer 2015 and includes vintages direct from the cellars of negociant house, Maison Mähler-Besse & Franck Mähler-Besse.

Click through to discover the top 10 lots on offer at Sotheby’s Château Palmer auction…

10. Château Palmer 1959 

Lots 1010 and 1011 offer up 12 bottles of Château Palmer 1959, estimated between HK$220,000 – 400,000 (US$28,000 – 51,000) per lot of 12 bottles whereas lot 1222 gives the chance to bid on a double magnum of the 1959 vintage, estimated between HK$75,000 – 120,000 (US$10,000 – 15,000).

9. Château Palmer 1942

Lots 1148 – 1152 consist of 12 bottles of Château Palmer 1942, estimated between HK$40,000 – 60,000 (US$5,000 – 8,000) per lot of 12 bottles.

8. Château Palmer 1970

Lots 1109-1113 offer 12 bottles of Château Palmer 1970, estimated between HK$24,000 – 45,000 (US$3,000 – 6,000) per lot of 12 bottles.

7 & 6. Château Palmer 2005 & 2000

Lots 1195 and 1196 offers large formats of Château Palmer 2005 in double magnum and imperial – estimated between HK$8,000 – 12,000 (US$1,000-1,500) and HK$16,000 – 22,000 (US$2,000 – 3,000) respectively, whereas lot 1207 has six magnums of Château Palmer 2000 estimated between HK$22,000 – 35,000 (US$3,000 – 4,500) per lot of six magnums.

5. Château Palmer 1983

Lot 1085 consists of six magnums of Château Palmer 1983, estimated between HK$50,000 – 100,000 (US$6,000 – 13,000) per lot of six magnums.

4. Private visit and dinner at Château Palmer for six guests

Lot 1223 offers the unusual opportunity for six guests to visit Château Palmer and have a private dinner at the estate served with Palmer 1961, 1966, 1970 and 1983.

This rare lot is estimated between HK$32,000 – 48,000 (US$4,000 – 6,000).

3. Château Palmer 1928

Lot 1153 consists of three bottles of the rare vintage of Château Palmer 1928 which is estimated between HK$95,000 – 180,000 (US$12,000 – 23,000) per lot of three bottles.

2. Château Palmer 1961

Lots 1108, 1109, 1137 offer 12 bottles of Château Palmer 1961, estimated between HK$300,000 – 500,000 (US$39,000 – 64,000), whereas lot 1138 consists of no fewer than three magnums of the 1961 vintage, estimated between HK$150,000 – 240,000 (US$19,000 – 31,000) per three magnums.

Lot 1221 also offers the rare opportunity of bidding on a double magnum of Château Palmer 1961, estimated between HK$120,000 – 200,000 (US$15,000 – 26,000) per double magnum.

1. 225 litre barrel of Château Palmer 2015

The star of the sale, lot 1160 offers a 225-litre barrel of Palmer 2015 – equivalent to 25 cases or 300 regular sized 0.75l bottles – never before available at auction.

Buyers can choose any any mix of different bottles from 0.375L to 18L with the option of having their name printed on the back label.

The lot also includes a rare opportunity of a private tour of the vineyard and winery followed by a dinner at the Château for eight guests.

Estimate: HK$500,000 – 700,000 (US$65,000 – 90,000).