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1,400 bottles of DRC on sale in Geneva
Baghera Wines will auction over 1,400 bottles of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti in Geneva this month, at an auction its founder says will “go down in history”.
The sale, taking place on 22 May, is just the second from new kid on the block, Baghera Wines (named after Dionysus’ panther companion), which was founded last year by former Christie’s employees, Michael Ganne, Julie Carpentier and Emmanuel Mercé.
The first part of the sale will feature 1,407 bottles, magnums and Jeroboams of the famous Burgundian estate, spanning wines from seven of its eight grand crus and vintages from 1952 to 2011.
All the bottles have been stored at the Geneva Freeport since they were bought and come from the collection of a single Swiss collector.
Split into 266 lots, they are expected to rake in around four million Swiss francs (CHF).
Highlights include 12 bottles of 1988 Romanée-Conti, a magnum of 2006 Montrachet, four magnums of 1990 La Tâche and four magnums of 1990 Richebourg.
The second session will focus on Bordeaux, Champagne, cult Napa Cabernets and cigars.
The claret section features all the usual prestigious names of the Left and Right Banks with lots dating back to the 19th century such as a single bottle of 1848 Yquem (CHF 15,000-24,000).
Other notable lots include six bottles of 1973 Dom Pérignon, 1992 Harlan and Screaming Eagle (in magnums). Cigar fans will be able to purchase a humidor of 60 Trinidad Laguitos Especial 1998 (CHF 5,000 – 6,500).
In total the sale is expected to realise CHF 6-9 million. The catalogue can be viewed here.
Ganne commented that, “even if I leave record-breaking to other people, I have to admit that our spring auction deserves every possible superlative,” adding that it was a, “sale which will go down in history as being the most significant auction of exceptional wines of the last two decades in continental Europe.
“This classic sale serves to confirm that Geneva has once again become the major European marketplace for fine wines, which is what I’ve always believed.”
Impressive as the array of DRC on sale is, the sheer volume is perhaps somewhat disquieting. In recent years the drinks business has discussed and examined several times the potential overexposure of DRC and how much is actually being drunk.