Large format Bordeaux sold to benefit Sonoma and Napa

Sotheby’s is hosting an online auction of large format bottles of Bordeaux for the rest of the month to raise money for the fire-hit regions of Sonoma and Napa.

The Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux has donated 75 lots directly from the cellars of its members, including first growths, and which range in size from magnum to imperial.

Starting on 16 January and running through to 30 January, there will be no buyer’s premium, each lot starts at US$50 (although estimates for certain lots rise as far as $8,000) and 100% of the proceeds will be donated to charities supporting those who lost homes and businesses during the fires that raged across California’s wine lands in late 2017.

Olivier Bernard, president of the UGCB commented: “Bordeaux Grands Crus stand in solidarity with our friends in Napa and Sonoma as they face the challenges ahead.”

Jamie Ritchie, worldwide head of Sotheby’s Wine added: “All of us in the wine world were shocked by the devastation and damage caused by the wildfires in Sonoma and Napa this fall, and so we are pleased to have teamed up with the UGCB to support the relief and recovery efforts in the North Bay wine communities with this special online benefit auction.”

Highlights of the sale include: an imperial of 2010 Château d’Yquem, a double magnum of 2009 Cheval Blanc, an imperial of 2005 Pichon Comtesse; a magnum of 2014 Mouton Rothschild; a double magnum of 2005 Léoville Barton; an imperial of 2010 Lynch Bages; an imperial of 2014 Coutet and six magnums of 2009 Figeac.

For more information click here.