New York, February 25, 2008 – Tonight Aulden Cellars-Sotheby’s first Wine sale of the year in New York, An Exceptional Private Cellar, brought $1,588,368, exceeding its high estimate (est. $1.1/1.5 million*). The single-owner sale, which was highlighted by a case of 1985 Sassicaia that achieved $22,990 (lot 324, est. $15/25,000), featured 4,400 bottles (as well as 380 half bottles), including a quantity of large-format bottles – 155 magnums, 29 double magnums, 9 jeroboams and 9 imperials – and over 1,600 bottles from Bordeaux, 1,500 bottles from California, 700 bottles from the Rhône Valley, 600 bottles from Italy and 300 bottles from Australia.
Robert Sleigh, Vice President and Head of the Wine Department in New York, said: “The combination of the very high quality of the wines, together with impeccable condition from this stellar single-owner collection, resulted in aggressive bidding worldwide, with buyers from South America, Asia and Europe seeking first class wines with sterling provenance. We saw many new buyers, particularly from Russia and China coming into the market and competing with North
American buyers, with our four most important buyers being from Russia, United States, Hong Kong and China. It was our second successive evening sale with a full salesroom and clients competing in the room against absentee and telephone bidders, making the evening sale format extremely successful. The Bordeaux wines commanded strong prices, with Burgundy, the Rhône, Italy, California and Australia also performing very well.”
Highlighting the offering from Bordeaux were six bottles of 1982 Lafleur, which sold for $19,360 (lot 166, est. $25/35,000), a case of 1982 Mouton Rothschild, which realized $18,150 (lot 41, est. $12/20,000), a double magnum of 1989 Pétrus, which brought $18,150 (lot 163, est. $11/20,000) and a case of 1989 Haut Brion, which achieved $16,940 (lot 49, est. $8/12,000).
Wines from California were a major feature of the sale, with seven vintages featured from each of the following: Harlan Estate, Colgin Herb Lamb and Araujo Eisele Cabernet Sauvignon. Highlights among them included full cases of 1995 Harlan Estate, which brought $8,470 (lot 472, est. $4,750/7,000); and 1995 Colgin, Herb Lamb, Cabernet Sauvignon, which sold for $7,865 (lot 429, est. $5/7,000 each).
Highlights of wines from Italy included a case of 1997 Masseto (lot 330, est. $4,000/5,500) and six magnums of 1997 Solaia (lot 332, est. $3,750/5,000), which both brought $6,655.
Leading the offering from Rhône is a case of 1990 Hermitage La Chapelle, Jaboulet, which achieved $12,100 (lot 233, est. $3/4,000) and a case of Côte Rôtie, La Landonne, Guigal, which sold for $9,075 (lot 46, est $5,500/7,500). Further, a salmanazar of 2003 Châteauneuf du Pape, Pegau, Cuvée Capo, commanded $10,890 (lot 255, est. $5,500/8,500).
*Estimates do not include buyer’s premium
Please note that the new buyer’s premium rate of 21% of the hammer price for Aulden Cellars-Sotheby’s wine auctions in New York will take effect as of January 1, 2008.
Aulden Cellars-Sotheby’s next Wine sale in New York will take place on March 15, 2008.