Acker’s first HK sale largest of 2014

Acker Merrall & Condit’s first Hong Kong sale of the autumn season proved the continuing health of the Asian auction market.

Acker reported that buyers from Hong Kong, mainland China Taiwan and Macau, “eagerly battled” for top Burgundy and Bordeaux in a sale that achieved HK$45 million in total – the house’s largest so far this year.

Domaine de la Romanée-Conti accounted for 15 of the top 25 lots and eight out of the top 10. Burgundy and Bordeaux tied for the top-selling lot though the draw of Burgundy was demonstrably stronger.

A 65 bottle vertical of Latour sold for HK$543,400, while a single case of 1978 DRC La Tache went for the same price.

Other leading lots included Henri Jayer’s Cros Parantoux, DRC Montrachet and cases of Pétrus and Lafite.

Acker CEO, John Kapon, commented: “It was exciting to see Hong Kong back in action and in full force this past weekend. All the reports of a slowdown in China proved to be greatly exaggerated, at least from our vantage. I think Alibaba would agree,”

“It was encouraging to see so many clients return to the room, and the spectacular offerings from the cellars of Grafe-Lecocq and Wilf Jaeger definitely were a big part of it. Our clients here recognized the strength of this catalog and the impressive collections on offer.

“Combined with our strong auction in New York recently, September has been a great beginning to what looks to be a great season.”