The world’s largest auction of Château Lafite Rothschild
(Chicago, IL) – Hart Davis Hart Wine Co., America’s largest wine auction house, is pleased to announce The Lafite Auction, a sale devoted exclusively to the wines of Château Lafite Rothschild. This special sale will be held on March 19th in Chicago, and will comprise the largest selection of Château Lafite Rothschild ever offered at auction, with 400 lots estimated to bring a total of $4.3-$6.5 million. Worldwide demand for Lafite is at an all-time high, and the scope of this auction is expected to attract bidders from all over North and South America, Europe, and Asia.
Over 3000 bottles of Lafite and Carruades de Lafite will go on the block, spanning 29 vintages between 1961 and 2006. Highlights of the sale include a staggering 38 lots and 257 bottles of the heralded 1982 vintage, estimated at $1,015,200-$1,507,800. The wines on offer have been carefully sourced from several of the most important collectors in America, many of whom have been acquiring Lafite as futures for decades. The wines have been removed from meticulously maintained cellars and have been carefully inspected, bottle by bottle, by HDH’s industry-leading team of wine experts.
The venue for the auction will be the award-winning Tru Restaurant in Chicago, and attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy special dishes created by Executive Chef Anthony Martin, paired with various vintages of Château Lafite throughout the day. In conjunction with the auction, private tastings and dinners will take place in Chicago, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing.
Sale Statistics:
3,123 bottles
174 lots in Original Wood Cases (OWC)
28 imperials (6L), 48 double magnums (3L), 20 cases of half-bottles (375ml), 3 jeroboams (5L)
Wine Highlights
1982 Lafite: 257 bottles in 38 lots estimated at $1,015,200-$1,507,800
1986 Lafite: 296 bottles in 36 lots estimated at $487,250- $735,600
1996 Lafite: 318 bottles in 31 lots estimated at $369,400-$552,400
2000 Lafite: 303 bottles in 32 lots estimated at $653,200-$959,800
2003 Lafite: 227 bottles in 28 lots estimated at $299,200- $442,600
“We are very excited about this unique auction. We’ve built the sale by working closely with scores of top US collectors who are offering wines of impeccable provenance, and we’re thrilled to give them the opportunity to tap into the burgeoning global market for fine wine – a great opportunity for both buyers and sellers.” Paul Hart, CEO
Highlights of the March 19th Auction Include:
1982 Château Lafite Rothschild (12 bs) est. $40,000-$60,000
1982 Château Lafite Rothschild (3 dbl-mags (3L)) est. $38,000-$55,000
2000 Château Lafite Rothschild (12 bs) est. $26,000-$38,000
1982 Château Lafite Rothschild (1 imp (6L)) est. $26,000-$38,000
2000 Château Lafite Rothschild (6 mags) est. $24,000-$35,000
2000 Château Lafite Rothschild (3 dbl-mags (3L)) est. $24,000-$35,000
1986 Château Lafite Rothschild (12 bs) est. $20,000-$30,000
1996 Château Lafite Rothschild (12 bs) est. $16,000-$24,000
1996 Château Lafite Rothschild (24 hbs) est. $15,000-$22,000
2003 Château Lafite Rothschild (12 bs) est. $15,000-$22,000
As an added service to collectors, photos of the top 30 lots in the auction will be available for viewing on www.hdhwine.com beginning Thursday, February 24th, enabling prospective bidders an opportunity to view bottle conditions before bidding.
Upcoming Auction Calendar
March 19, 2011
May 7, 2011
June 18, 2011
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 online bidding 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.
For more information on Hart Davis Hart Wine Co. or to arrange a media visit, please contact Marc Smoler at 312.482.9766, [email protected] or visit hdhwine.com
