Auction PR Publicity Announcements News and Information
Auction PR Publicity Announcements News and Information

Single Cellar Wine Auction Brings $1,894,350 as Hart Davis Hart Sells 100% Of Lots At Strong Prices

Upcoming June 27th Auction Includes an Outstanding Collection from a Prominent Restaurant

(Chicago, IL) – Hart Davis Hart offered a second installment of French Classics from a Magnificent Cellar this weekend in Chicago, realizing $1,894,350 against a pre-sale auction estimate of $1,204,010 to $1,805,060. Highlights included a case of 12 bottles of 1961 Palmer recently released from Mähler-Besse that brought $22,705 (est. $10,000-15,000), a case of 6 magnums of 1988 La Tâche from Domaine de la Romanée-Conti that achieved $15,535 (est. $6,000-9,000), and an assortment case of 1999 DRC that realized $26,290 (est. $14,000-20,000.)

hart-davis-hart-wine.jpgBidders participated from 34 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, as well as the Bahamas, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Germany, Iceland, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Philippines, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and Venezuela.

“We saw strong bidding from the US, Europe, and Asia,” said President and CEO Paul Hart. “The market has stabilized and prices continue to creep upward.”

Online bidders were active against a strong order book and room bidders. 75 of the 433 lots hammered above the high estimate. Prices were strong across all categories as Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhône, and California wine brought strong results.

Commented Vice-Chairman Michael Davis: “It was an honor to represent a second installment of this remarkable collection. Bidders responded enthusiastically throughout the day which bodes well for the fall season.”

Top Ten Lots (inclusive of 19.5% buyer’s premium):
1. Lot 27: 1982 Château Lafite Rothschild (6 mags)
    at $28,680 (est. $18,000-$28,000)
2. Lot 329: 1999 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Assortment (12 bs)
    at $26,290 (est. $14,000-20,000)
3. Lot 7: 1959 Château Latour (5 mags)
    at $26,290 (est. $15,000-22,000)
4. Lot 185: 1998 Château Pétrus (6 mags)
    at $26,290 (est. $16,000-24,000)
5. Lot 28: 1982 Château Lafite Rothschild (3 dbl-mags (3L))
    at $26,290 (est. $18,000-28,000)
6. Lot 13: 1997 Romanée-Conti, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (1 meth (6L))
    at $20,315 (est. $22,000-32,000)
7. Lot 328: 1993 La Tâche, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (12 bs)
    at $16,730 (est. $8,500-13,000)
8. Lot 318: 1988 La Tâche, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (6 mags)
    at $15,535 (est. $6,000-9,000)
9. Lot 330: 1999 Romanée-Conti, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (1 mag)
    at $15,535 (est. $10,000-15,000)
10. Lot 499: 1982 Lafite Rothschild (6 mags)
    at $26,290 (est. $14,000-20,000)

Total aggregate: $1,894,349
Percent sold by lot: 100%

An Auction of Finest & Rarest Wines
Including an Outstanding Selection from a Prominent Restaurant
Saturday, June 27, 2009 | TRU Restaurant 10:00 a.m.

Hart Davis Hart Wine Co will offer an Auction of Finest & Rarest Wines on Saturday, June 27th, at TRU Restaurant (676N. St. Clair St) starting at 9:00am CST. The sale is anchored by an outstanding offering from the extensive cellar of a prominent restaurant that has been in business for over three decades. The selection features an expansive range of both French and Californian wines, most of which were acquired on initial release and cellared since under ideal conditions. A broad selection of Bordeaux is featured and encompasses a dazzling range of the 1982 vintage. Additional highlights of this collection include single-vineyard Côte Rôtie from Guigal, Burgundy from Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, and classics from Napa Valley, most of which are in full case quantity.

“After 25 years in the fine wine business, it isn’t often that I come across something that I have never seen before. While in town for the Hart Davis Hart sale last weekend I decided to spend some time in the cellars looking at wines to be offered in the upcoming June 27 auction. When I opened one of the previously banded 1971 Assortment cases of DRC from the Cellar of a Prominent Restaurant I literally got those same chills of excitement that I had 9 years ago in the Singleton Cellar. Pristine is an understatement. This sale will provide a rarely seen opportunity to buy older wines that were purchased upon release and are for the first time seeing the light of day. The four 1971 DRC Assortment cases will be some of the most important lots offered at any auction this decade. Book your flights now, and come to Chicago for a truly magnificent auction.” Kevin Swersey, Senior Consultant

Upcoming Auction Calendar
June 27, 2009
September 12, 2009
October 24, 2009
December 5, 2009

Bidding Information
Auction catalogs are available through the website or by calling Hart Davis Hart (hdhwine.com; 312.482.9996.) The expanded website allows bidders to view and search the auction catalog and place absentee bids online.

Hart Davis Hart’s state-of-the-art technology allows bidders worldwide to participate in the Chicago-based live auctions via the Internet. Bidders can follow the auction in the salesroom, hear the live auction, and bid against the room, all in real-time. More details about the technology can be found at www.hdhwine.com.

Bidders are encouraged to attend the auction in person, but Hart Davis Hart welcomes bids by phone, fax, through the website, and via the live-bid technology. For more information, contact Hart Davis Hart at 312.482.9996 or go to hdhwine.com.

About Hart Davis Hart Wine Co.
Hart Davis Hart Wine Co. is both a dynamic retailer and an internationally prominent wine auction house, occupying a unique position in the rare wine market. We offer collectors and restaurateurs a broad range of options for buying and selling wines, providing unrivaled expertise and personalized service.

Founded in October 2004, Hart Davis Hart represents the alliance of three highly-respected industry leaders: John Hart, Michael Davis, and Paul Hart, with a combined experience of nearly 90 years in the rare wine business. John Hart, a renowned expert, has been a leader in the rare wine retail business for over three decades. With extensive careers at Christie’s, Davis & Company, and Sotheby’s, Michael Davis and Paul Hart are the most experienced wine auctioneers in America.

Hart Davis Hart has emerged as one of the most innovative and trusted sources for rare wines in America, with over 150 years of combined experience in the specialized field of fine and rare wines. No other firm can approach their level of expertise, network of relationships, or dedication to service.

Hart Davis Hart core services:
• Traditional Live Auctions
• Private Retail Services
• Online Sales
• Consultation