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Acker Merrall celebrates stellar 2012 in HK
Acker Merrall & Condit continued to exert dominance in the highly competitive Hong Kong market during 2012
American auction giant Acker Merrall sailed into first place in the Hong Kong market for 2012 sales, with an impressive 27% lead on its closest rivals in this critical growth market.
In Hong Kong the firm claims to continue to lead trends, including a shift towards Burgundy, with investors shying away from record-high prices for Bordeaux first growths for the ’09 and ’10 vintages.
However, the firm continued to do well in wines from this region, with a Château Latour sale of “epic proportions,” by bringing to market “a collection of the most impeccable provenance, from former Noble family shareholders and owners of the Château, spanning an incredible range of 1905-1982.”
World records for DRC Romanée-Conti in November, along with successful Champagne sales earlier in the year, totaling around US$1 million (HK$7.8 million/GB£620,000) in its September sale and Italian wines in December added to the firm’s stellar showings in Hong Kong.
Globally the auction firm – which claims the title of world’s largest for the year – performed outstandingly well with global auction revenues totalling US$83.3 million (HK$645.6 million/GB£51.6 million) commercially, not including charity auctions. Hong Kong sales represented 56% of the firm’s revenue.
“I am very proud of the year that we had in 2012. It is satisfying to know that the world’s greatest producers and collectors continue to choose Acker Merrall,” said the company’s CEO, John Kapon.
“We are not simply the number one wine auction firm in the world again in 2012; we are a firm that is passionate about wine, a firm that considers itself an ambassador for all that is great in wine.
“We are wine lovers first and foremost, and so are our clients. I am excited to see 2013 pick up where 2012 left off, with a selection from one of the most important collections in the world coming to auction in Hong Kong in late January, along with direct consignments from two of Burgundy’s elite producers, Domaines Dujac and Roulot. We plan on keeping our seatbelts fastened in 2013.”
The year’s bestsellers by value were exclusively populated by wines from Burgundy and Bordeaux, with DRC dominating as it has all year long. All lots were sold in their original wood cases:
1. DRC Superlot – Assorted vertical cases of 8 great vintages (’97, ’98, ’99, ’00, ’01, ’04, ’05 and ’06), sold for US$353,231 (HK$2.7 million/£219,000)
2. 12 bottles 1945 Château Mouton Rothschild: US$214,256 (HK$1.7 million/£133,000)
3. 12 bottles 1947 Château Cheval Blanc: US$184,500 (HK$1.4 million/£114,000)
4. 12 bottles 1990 Romanée-Conti: US$184,500 (HK$1.4 million/£114,000)
5. 12 bottles 1985 Romanée-Conti: US$183,000 (HK$1.4 million/£113,000)
6. 12 bottles 1990 Romanée-Conti: US$170,800 (HK$1.3 million/£106,000)
7. 12 bottles 1985 Romanée-Conti: US$146,400 (HK$1.13 million/£91,000)
8. 12 bottles 1988 Romanée-Conti: US$129,150 (HK$1 million/£80,000)
9. 12 bottles 1945 Château Latour: US$116,850 (HK$906,000/£72,500)
10. 12 bottles 2004 Romanée-Conti: US$110,700 (HK$858,000/£69,000)
Acker Merrall will kick off its 2013 auction season with auctions to be held in Hong Kong on 25 and 26 January and in New York on 23 February.