Sales Up 24% from 2013 to $24.7 Million After Spectacular $8 Million June Auction
(Chicago, IL) – In a tremendous, two-day sale this past weekend, Hart Davis Hart Wine Co. confirmed its status as the #1 Wine Auction House in the U.S. in the first half of 2014. HDH has the largest share of the U.S. wine auction market by over 50%, totaling $24.7 million in 2014 sales.
The record-breaking June sale was one of HDH’s largest, and realized $8.0 million in sales against a pre-auction estimate of $5.6-8.4 million. Auction attendees traveled from around the world to participate, with bidders hailing from 35 states and the District of Columbia as well as Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Macau, Netherlands, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom.
Over 38% of all lots exceeded their high estimates with many achieving astonishing prices. Never far from the spotlight, Burgundy and Bordeaux Grand Crus saw a host of enthusiasm from bidders in the room and around the globe. The sale’s offering of over 400 Red Burgundy lots achieved $1.1 million, while over 100 lots of Château Lafite brought in another $1.1 million. Overall, Bordeaux from the 1990s fared particularly well. Meanwhile, the top lot of the day to shatter its high estimate was a remarkable, intact case of 24 pints of 1917 Dougherty’s Private Stock Pure Rye Whiskey (bottled in bond during Prohibition) that sold for $19,120 against a presale estimate of $3,000-4,500.
HDH was delighted to include selections from four world-class private cellars in this sale. A further pristine installment from the spectacular Fox Cellar, along with wines from the superb Estate of Thomas E. Bentley and the impressive Nelson-Lo Collection, added much to the sale’s net of $4.4 million for Bordeaux. The Nelson-Lo Collection also provided one lucky buyer with an extraordinarily rare case of 1990 Côte Rôtie, Côte Brune, Cuvée Reservée, Marius Gentaz-Dervieux for $17,925 (est. $10,000-15,000). Saturday’s session presented enthusiasts with an extraordinary first offering of German Rieslings from The Dr. Landy Bonelli Collection. Highlights included 2 bottles of 1971 Graacher Himmelreich Riesling BA Eiswein, Goldkapsel, #18, Joh. Jos. Prüm that sold for $3,824 (est. $2,000- 3,000), 3 bottles of 1975 Brauneberger Juffer Riesling Auslese, lange Goldkapsel, #11, Fritz Haag – Dusemonder Hof that brought in $2,271 (est. $1,300-1,900), and 3 half-bottles of 1983 Scharzhofberger Riesling Eiswein, #35, Egon Müller – Scharzhof that sold for $3,107 (est. $1,500-2,200). HDH will offer futher selections from the Dr. Bonelli Collection over the coming year.
“HDH continues to lead the market with innovative approaches and technological advances to facilitate bidding for collectors throughout the globe,” remarked President Ben Nelson. “This includes the introduction of a state of the art mobile application, which we plan to fully launch during the fall season.”
Hart Davis Hart’s 2014 auctions will resume in the fall, with a sale on the weekend of September 20.
Top Lots by Price (inclusive of 19.5% buyer’s premium):
Lot 1429: 1917 Dougherty’s Private Stock Pure Rye Whiskey (24 Pints) (est. $3,000-4,500) $19,120
Lot 489: 1961 Château Latour (2 mags) (est. $9,000-14,000) $23,900
Lot 437: Mayacamas Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon: 1969 (1 mag); 1970 (1 mag); 1974 (1 mag) (est. $1,100-1,700) $3,346
Lot 1676: 2002 Musigny, Joseph Drouhin (12 bs) (est. $4,200-6,500) $8,963
Lot 666: Ermitage, Cuvée Cathelin, J. L. Chave: 1995 (1 b); 1998 (1 b); 1998 (1 b) (est. $3,000-4,500) $6,573
Lot 2399: 2000 Château Angelus (12 bs) (est. $3,000-4,500) $6,573
Lot 1238: 2005 Sine Qua Non The Naked Truth / The 17th Nail in my Cranium Assortment (6 bs) (est. $2,800-4,200) $5,975
Lot 1253: 2003 Sine Qua Non: Syrah, The Inaugural (4 bs); Grenache, Li’l E (1 b); Syrah, Papa (1 b) (est. $2,400-3,500) $5,019
Lot 1984: 1999 Côte Rôtie, Domaine Jamet (6 mags) (est. $1,900-2,800) $4,183
Lot 2593: 1983 Scharzhofberger Riesling Eiswein, #35, Egon Müller – Scharzhof (3 hbs) (est. $1,500-2,200) $3,107
Hart Davis Hart 2014 Sales Stats
Sale Pre-Sale Low Estimate Pre-Sale High Estimate Total Aggregate % Sold
2/8 $4,003,590 $5,965,930 $7,552,257 100%
3/21 & 22 $3,296,370 $4,923,890 $5,050,058 100%
5/17 $2,609,790 $3,913,920 $4,080,997 100%
6/27 & 28 $5,660,090 $8,445,470 $8,018,020 99.6%
Total $51,569,840 $23,249,210 $24,701,332
Auction Calendar
September 20, 2014
November 1, 2014
December 6, 2014
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
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.