Burgundy dominates first part of Sotheby’s sale

The first part of Sotheby’s ‘Monumental Collection’ achieved US$1.9 million when it took place in New York on Saturday.

This first part of a three-part sale realised $1,886,918 in total, exceeding the $1.6m high estimate with 96% of the lots sold.

Furthermore, 40% of the 343 lots sold above their high estimates, with 60% sold to international buyers.

At the heart of the sale were 84 lots of Masseto which made $370,000 and there was high demand for several lots of Jean-Louis Chave’s Ermitage, Cuvée Cathelin. Five bottles of the 1991 alone made $31,850 – the highest price achieved by the wine at auction – and another three bottles of the 1990 made another record-setting $26,950. Both lots were sold to a South American buyer.

Yet it was Burgundy that really dominated the top-selling lots. A Methuselah of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti’s 1990 La Tâche led the sale, selling for $79,625.

A dozen bottles of Domaine Leroy’s 1990 Musigny went for $61,250, six more bottles of 1990 Musigny from Georges Roumier made $39,200.

A further Methuselah of DRC, this time a 1989 La Tâche, made $34,300 and a further dozen of Leroy’s 1990 Clos de la Roche $31,850.

Connor Kriegel, head of auction sales, commented: “We saw global interest in Part I of the ‘Monumental Collection from the Cellars of a Connoisseur’ and are thrilled with the result.

Wine lovers bid feverishly online, in the saleroom and on the telephone for some of the most legendary wines ever produced. The greatest selection of Masseto ever sold at Sotheby’s, including eight different vintages, achieved phenomenal results. We are very excited for Part II in London on Wednesday (29 March) and Part III in Hong Kong on Saturday (1 April).”