Grape Wall of China

A China Wine Blog: The Scene in the World’s Largest Market

Got any loose change? Sotheby’s Hong Kong wine auction in January

Posted on | December 15, 2009 | No Comments

grape wall of china wine auctions sotheby's photo

(Photo: Sotheby's)

By Jim Boyce

The Lafitte-Petrus gravy train looks like it will continue at full speed next year when Sotheby’s holds its first Hong Kong wine auction of 2010 on January 23 at the Mandarin Oriental. The auction, the fourth featuring “The Classic Cellar from A Great American Collector“, is, according to the auction house’s press release, “the most valuable wine collection ever offered at auction by Sotheby’s”. It will include 840 lots and the expected take is RMB25-36 million (HKD28.5-40.8 million / USD3.6-5.2 million). Last year, Sotheby’s held wine auctions in April and October 2009, with a total take of  RMB77.3 million (USD11.3 million).

The 2010 “auction highlights” listed are not surprisingly focused on Bordeaux and Burgundy, particularly the much-sought Lafite and Petrus. Among the lots:

  • Two cases of 1989 and three cases of 1990 Petrus Petrus estimated at RMB141-211000 (HKD160-240,000  / USD20-30,000) per case
  • One 1982 imperial of Lafite estimated at RMB123-176,000 (HKD140-200,000 (USD18-25,000)
  • Two cases of 1982 Latour estimated at RMB123-176,000 (HKD140-200,000 / USD18-25,000) per case
  • Six cases of 1982 Mouton Rothschild estimated at RMB71-106,000 (HKD80-120,000 / USD10-15,000) per case
  • Five cases of 1989 Margaux estimated at RMB75-123,000 (HKD85-140,000 / USD11-18,000) per case
  • Twenty-four half-bottles of 1986 Lafite estimated at RMB62-84,000 (HKD70-95,000 / USD9-12,000) (This auction too late for the winner to use these mini-bottles as stocking stuffers, so perhaps they could be used as gifts for lesser friends during Spring Festival. Then again, maybe not…)

-

Some related Grape Wall posts:

Category: Uncategorized

Comments

Leave a Reply





  • About Grape Wall of China


    beijing-boyce-grape-wall-of-china-logo

    A nonprofit blog by wine professionals and consumers.


    Follow: On Twitter and Facebook.
    Email: beijingboyce at yahoo.com

  • Grape Wall Contributors


    In alphabetical order (see full list)


    Nicolas Carre
    Sommelier


    Chantal Chi
    Writer


    Yvonne Chiong
    Sommelier, consultant


    Judy Leissner
    Grace Vineyard CEO


    Alain Leroux
    Wine maker, consultant


    Li Demei
    Wine maker


    Huiqin Ma
    Professor


    Campbell Thompson
    The Wine Republic co-owner


    Brian Yao
    Consumer


    Frankie Zhao
    Pro-Wine Training & Consultancy owner


    Jim Boyce
    Consumer, blog administrator