‘Fierce bidding’ for top clarets in London

“Fierce bidding” for fine and rare wines, especially large format Bordeaux, at Sotheby’s London sale this week led to the auction exceeding its pre-sale high estimate.

An imperial of 1982 Petrus was the top-selling lot, selling for £45,410 in a sale that realised £1.5 million overall.

Although some Richebourg and assortments from Domaine de la Romanée-Conti made the sale’s best-selling lots list, it was actually a strong outing for Bordeaux labels – especially in large formats.

As well as the imperial of Petrus, the best-selling claret also included a magnum of 1945 Mouton Rothschild, magnums of 1947 Cheval Blanc and Petrus, a double magnum of 1982 Petrus and imperials of 1982 Latour and Mouton.

Stephen Mould, head of Sotheby’s Wine, Europe, said: “With a sale total comfortably exceeding the high estimate and buyers from 21 countries, we saw healthy demand for fine wine across the board. Bordeaux led the way, from the stunning magnums of 1945 and 1947, Bordeaux Collections from Duclot, and imperials of 1982 First Growths and Petrus, through to the 2012 vintage.

“Competition for the cellar of a ‘Bon Viveur’ was fierce, with collectors eager to snap up Bordeaux, white and red Burgundy and Champagne. Further high points included strong prices for Burgundy from Armand Rousseau and assortments of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. We now look forward to three Hong Kong sales on 30-31 March and our next London sale on 18 April.”