Frenzy on the sales floor: Acker says Hong Kong wine auction sets 115 world records

grape wall of china someecards wine auction cartoon

By Jim Boyce

Hong Kong had a super humungous wine auction last weekend if the press release from the organizer — Acker Merral & Conduit — is any indication. It states that the tw0-day sale broke 115 world records — pretty much everything but Usain’s Bolt mark in the 100 meters, it seems.

But you know what sucks to this outside observer? That only 96 percent of the lots sold. If Acker had gotten rid of everything, the number of records could have been even higher. That’s all I’m saying.

Anyway, the total reported sales were HKD52 million / USD6.78 million, with the direct consignments from Domanie Dujac and Domaine Roulut said to have created “an absolute frenzy in the salesroom“. Some notes from the Acker et al press release (my highlights):

  • “An astounding 60 new World Records were set for wines from Dujac out of 70 unique lots offered! Handpicked by Jeremy Seysses, co-proprietor of the famous Burgundy Domaine…. Among the highlights… were 6 magnums of 1985 Clos de la Roche (HK$344,400 / US$44,154, Lot 222), and a Jeroboam of 1978 Clos de la Roche in owc (HK$177,120 / US$22,708, Lot 221). Also of note were 6 bottles of 1978 Echézeaux that realized HK$196,800 / US$25,231 (Lot 183), over three times the pre-sale high estimate.”
  • “In the direct consignment from Domaine Roulot, records were set as buyers accounted for the top fifteen most valuable lots ever sold in the history of the Domaine. The star lot was a one-of-a-kind Methuselah of 2011 Meursault Clos des Bouchères, one of only two “first growth” monopoles in all of Meursault, which achieved HK$78,720 / US$10,092 (Lot 154A), more than three times the estimate.”
  • “One of the featured collections was offered by a noted physician [My guess is Dr. Phil. – Ed]… DRC highlights from this collection included 6 magnums of 1990 DRC Assortment (HK$541,200/US$69,385, Lot 877), 12 bottles of 1999 DRC Assortment in banded owc (HK$344,400/US$44,154, Lot 879), a Jeroboam of 1976 Romanée Conti (HK$196,800/US$25,231, Lot 910) and 4 bottles of the legendary 1978 DRC Montrachet (HK$246,000/US$31,538, Lot 960), two of which were World Records.
  • Bordeaux jewels with superb provenance were also on offer, and the market responded accordingly setting new World Records for the following legendary wines: a magnum of 1945 Vogue Musigny (HK$295,200 / US$37,846, Lot 873), a magnum of 1949 Cheval Blanc (HK$98,400 / US$12,615, Lot 730), a magnum of 1953 Margaux (HK$88,560 / US$11,354, Lot 787) and a magnum of 1961 Lafleur (HK$157,440 / US$20,185, Lot 762), as well as a bottle of 1947 Petrus (HK$98,400/ US$12,615, Lot 808) and a bottle of 1961 Latour a Pomerol (HK$93,480 / US$11,985, Lot 779).
  • A 12-bottle case of 1982 Petrus in owc fetched HK$492,000 / US$63,077 (Lot 822). Further ancient treasures included 3 bottles of the legendary 1961 Pétrus (HK$295,200/US$37,846, Lot 811) and a very rare Jeroboam of 1961 Latour (HK$270,600 / US$34,692, Lot 775).

Etc.

Acker’s next wine auction in Hong Kong is on March 22 and March 23.

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