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

Hart Davis Hart Sells 100% of Lots for $3.7 Million

Impeccably Sourced Wines, Dedication to Service & Integrity, and Global Reach Produce Strong Results for Chicago Auction House

(Chicago, IL) – Hart Davis Hart capped off the year with another successful auction this weekend in Chicago realizing $3,750,448 against a pre-sale auction estimate of $2,621,460-$3,939,080. Wines from Domaine de la Romanée-Conti continued to see intense bidding and top prices with seven of the top ten lots hailing from DRC. Highlights included a rare 1992 DRC Assortment selling above its pre-sale estimate ($13,000-$19,000) achieving $20,315 and four bottles of 1990 Romanée-Conti, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti selling for $53,775.

Eager bidders participated from 34 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico as well as Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Luxembourg, Macau, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan and the United Kingdom.

The seven auctions held by Hart Davis Hart in 2012 brought in $26,304,536, buoyed by packed sales rooms, bidder participation from every corner of the globe, and many record breaking prices. The auctions saw an industry-leading sell through rate of 99.99%, only passing 1 out of the 9,076 lots offered. Six out of the seven auctions were 100% sold, and four sales exceeded their pre-auction high estimates.

“Burgundy, led by DRC saw huge price increases in 2012 while prices for classified Bordeaux began to rise in the 2nd half of the year,” noted CEO Paul Hart. “We continue to achieve record prices while maintaining the highest standards and integrity. The broadening of our global relationships contributed to our success.”

Highlights from the year include the March “Celebration of Burgundy” auction which surpassed its pre-sale estimate bringing in $3.9 million – record prices were achieved for Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Domaine Leroy and Armand Rousseau. The October Christian Moueix ex-Château Trotanoy consignment achieved exceptional results, with most lots hammering over the high estimate and many achieving world record results. As a whole, the Trotanoy group realized $238,044 against a pre-sale estimate of $110,650-$164,800.

“I wish to thank all of our buyers and consignors and look forward to a highly successful 2013. We are proud to offer the best service backed by the most experienced team in the industry,” commented Chairman John Hart.

Hart Davis Hart’s retail business grew by an astounding 50% in 2012 with active Bordeaux Future Campaigns and sales of fine & rare wines offered through hdhwine.com.