HDH caps off year with ‘record-shattering’ sale

US auctioneer Hart Davis Hart has finished its 2020 season with a “record shattering” two-day sale featuring the wines from the cellar of the late Joseph Phelps.

The entire collection was 100% sold for a total of US$10.4 million – nearly $2m above the pre-sale high estimate – with 82% of the lots offered selling above their high estimates as well.

The first session last Friday featured the wine cellar of the late Jospeh Phelps. It made $2.2m in total (above a high estimate of $1.3m) with buyers leaping at the chance to acquire bottles of 1865 and 1948 Lafite Rothschild ($31,070 each) and 11 bottles of 1959 Latour ($77,675) and 12 bottles of 1961 Latour ($23,900), as well as great Burgundy and of course rare Californian classics such as 1971 Ridge Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard (two bottles selling for $20,315 – a new record), 1974 Heitz Cellar, Martha’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, 1978 Joseph Phelps Eisele Vineyard and ‘Insignia’.

The following day the sale continued with more fine and rare wines including another large private collection.

This likewise included 1961 La Mission Haut-Brion, Armand Rousseau 2010 Chambertin, 2000 Latour, Domaine Leroy’s 2009 Musigny and 1990 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti.

Paul Hart commented: “2020 has been a year unlike any other and we are incredibly grateful to our bidders and consignors who have continued to support HDH. We remain to be the top choice for collectors to represent cellars of incredible quality. HDH continues to be innovative to support the global demand for fine and rare wine, and we are pleased to bring superior collections to market.”

The auction house continues to be a driving force in the US market and made saw sales of $59m over its nine sales this year.