iDealwine update: Cream of the Crop

In the first six months of the year there have been some interesting sales for iDealwine. Here, we highlight the best sellers so far in 2018

THE FIRST half of 2018 is over, and between 1 January and 31 June, over 37,000 lots, or 74,000 bottles, were sold on the iDealwine auction platform, a 30% increase in volume compared with the same time in 2017. A look at the highestpriced bottles at auction on iDealwine so far throws up some familiar faces but dig a little deeper and the figures reveal some new contenders.

BORDEAUX, OLD RELIABLE

In this first semester, Bordeaux represented a third of all lots sold.

Although this ratio will most likely increase as we approach the claretdrinking winter season, Bordeaux’s dominance over the market has been waning in recent years. Its presence among the most expensive bottles is less of a given and relies on large format sizes.

Nonetheless, and credit where credit’s due, a magnum of Château Mouton Rothschild 1945 is the highest-priced bottle to have sold on the online auction platform in 2018 so far, thanks to the magic combination of large format in a mature, landmark vintage.

Petrus is once again the force to be reckoned with in Bordeaux. Out of the 15 highest-priced Bordeaux, eight hail from this Pomerol superstar, while large formats of Mouton Rothschild, Latour and d’Yquem have also been at the centre of intense bidding wars. High volume production gives Bordeaux good fluidity on the market, and their ageing ability makes them a safe investment.

BURGUNDY TRIUMPHANT

The small and parcellated region of Burgundy presides over the rankings. Out of the 50 highest-priced bottles auctioned so far this year from any region, Burgundy lays claim to a staggering 31. The mythic Domaine de la Romanée-Conti occupies 11 of these spots, and a bottle of its Romanée-Conti Grand Cru 2001 sold for €12,890 (£11,470), the second highest-priced bottle in 2018 so far. In 2017, however, this domaine represented 25 out of 50 of the most expensive bottles sold on the online platform. As these cuvées become increasingly hard to come by, the mighty DRC’s grip on the market is slackening, and enthusiasts are widening their gaze to include the other stars of the Côte de Nuits. The fourth most expensive bottle was a magnum of Montrachet Grand Cru 2000 from Domaine Leflaive (€11,674), while a bottle of this same cuvée in the 1996 and 1997 vintages took 12th (€5,594) and 13th (€4,986) place respectively. Henri Jayer’s wines are becoming increasingly difficult to source and a Vosne-Romanée Cros Parantoux 1986 fetched €6,810.

CHAVE FLIES THE FLAG

The Rhône cannot be ignored. Coveted by the American market, this region is going from strength to strength, and thanks to ultra-rare lots of Hermitage Cuvée Cathelin from Jean-Louis Chave surfacing, it has muscled its way into the top 50 highest-priced bottles of 2018 three times. When a bottle of the 2009 appeared it was snapped up for €12,652, while a 2003 and a 1990 went for €8,634 and €6,202 respectively. The famous Côte-Rôtie La Mouline 1978 from Guigal (€2,432), the Côte-Rôtie Côte Brune 1988 from Gentaz-Dervieux (€2,250) and a magnum of Châteauneuf Réserve des Célestins 2007 from Henri Bonneau (€1,097) have also sparked bidding wars.

CHAMPAGNE: KRUG RULES

Don’t be too hasty opening your vintage Champagne. When it comes to selling Champagne on the auction market, age, large formats and prestigious names are absolute requisites. The two most expensive Champagnes of 2018 so far are both magnums of Krug Collection. A bottle of the 1959 went under the hammer earlier this year for €3,770 and the 1969 for €3,405.

TOMORROW’S STARS

The icons in the making are often hiding in the lesser-known regions where, rather than the allure of a classic appellation, it’s the personality of a producer and their qualitative wines that count. Although the reds from cult Languedoc producer Grange des Pères are seeing their prices plateau, the rare whites tell a different story: a magnum of the 2014 was recently sold for €401.

Natural wines are now a significant trend, and small-scale producers in the Loire, Jura and Beaujolais are in worldwide demand. A magnum of Stéphane Bernaudeau’s cuvée Les Nourissons 2009 (Loire) reached €450 at auction, while a Vin Jaune 1990 from the Jura’s coveted Domaine Overnoy sold for €1,642. From Beaujolais, it was a magnum of Yvon Métras’ cuvée L’Ultime 2005 that seduced bidders, at €292. So far, 2018’s results hint at a bright future for the natural wine scene. Watch this space.