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Auction PR Publicity Announcements News and Information

HDH’s Groundbreaking Bordeaux-Only Auction Achieves $5.02 Million with 100% of Lots Sold

HDH Continues to Dominate US Wine Auction Market, Exceeding Nearest Competitor by Over 70%

(Chicago, IL) – Hart Davis Hart Wine Co., the #1 wine auction house in the US, saw record results at its groundbreaking Celebration of Bordeaux auction this weekend with a total of $5.02 million in sales against presale estimates of $3.7 – $5.5 million. The 100% sold sale saw over 80% of its 1465 lots sell above the midpoint of their estimates—robust results that point to the resurging strength of the Bordeaux market within the US.

Hart Davis Hart“Bordeaux sales have been on the rise in the US, which has recently emerged as the world’s leading auction market,” remarked CEO Paul Hart. “What we’ve seen in Chicago this weekend bodes well for the Bordeaux market’s future, and as America’s top wine auction house, HDH is happy to lead the charge.”

The two-day auction featured an incredible array of Bordeaux from over 100 châteaux and spanning 9 decades, with classic wines from legendary vintages as well as stellar offerings from recent years. Highlighting the sale were three consignments direct from the cellars of Château Cheval Blanc, Château Montrose, and Château Pichon-Longueville, Comtesse de Lalande. Wines from both historic and recent vintages from these celebrated estates achieved strong results, including 1 bottle of 1959 Cheval Blanc that sold for $3,107 (est. $1,800-2,800), 6 magnums of 1995 Pichon-Lalande that sold for $3,585 (est. $2,200-3,200), and an imperial of 2009 Montrose that sold for $3,824 (est. $2,200-3,200). In sum, the three château-direct consignments brought in a total of $350,016 (against presale estimates of $264,650-397,750).

These ex-châteaux offerings were further augmented by wines from some of the greatest private collections in the world. The crux of these private consignments—a 586-lot consignment from the historic Fox Cellar—offered eager bidders an extensive exposition of top Bordeaux wines, including more than 200 lots awarded 99 or 100 point scores by Robert Parker. Boasting 5 of the top 10 most expensive lots of the sale, Fox’s offering included three cases of 2009 Pétrus that sold for a total of $102,770 (est. $78,000-114,000) in addition to 100 lots of First Growths which sold for a total of $732,989 (est. $547,550-827,280). This group’s performance demonstrates the undeniable value of provenance in the eyes of wine-buyers. Buyers also clamored for treasures from other impressive private cellars, including a case of 1982 Pétrus in owc that sold for $53,775 (est. $40,000-60,000), 6 bottles of rare 1982 Lafleur that sold for $26,290 (est. $12,000-18,000), and 6 bottles of 1966 Latour that sold for $4,183 (est. $2,200-3,200).

Held at the award-winning TRU restaurant in Chicago, the auction welcomed fervent participation from bidders spanning 34 US states and 5 continents. Particularly strong demand was seen for Bordeaux from 1966, 1970, 1982, 1988, 1990, 1995, and 2010, and for wines from “Super Seconds” including Cos d’Estournel, Ducru-Beaucaillou, Léoville Poyferré, Montrose, and Palmer. Of the first growths, Mouton fared particularly well, with 100 lots selling for $527,330 (pre-sale est. $379,770-570,560).

Highlights of the sale included:
• 89 lots from the 1982 vintage sold for $440,059 (pre-sale est. $312,650-469,710)
• 339 lots from the 2009 vintage sold for $1,320,367 (pre-sale est. $970,320-1,455,080)
• 91 lots from the 2010 vintage sold for $413,291 (pre-sale est. $301,050-449,800)
• 322 lots of First Growth Red Bordeaux spanning 35 vintages sold for $2.0M (pre-sale est. $1.5M – $2.2M)
• 100 lots of Mouton sold for $527,330 (pre-sale est. $379,770-570,560)
• 32 lots of Petrus, spanning 21 vintages sold for $446,930 (pre-sale est. $330,400-485,100)
• 15 lots of Lafleur sold for $112,808 (pre-sale est. $70,700-105,000)
• 64 lots with wines of imperial size or greater sold for $189,706 (pre-sale est. $132,220-196,480)
• 101 lots of Montrose sold for $248,261 (pre-sale est. $166,950-248,261)
• 56 lots of Lynch-Bages sold for $113,704 (pre-sale est. $76,850-114,100)
• 30 lots of Léoville Poyferré sold for $64,470 (pre-sale est. $44,600-67,500)
• 40 lots of Ducru-Beaucaillou sold for $92,075 (pre-sale est. $64,300-94,800)
• 29 lots of Cos d’Estournel sold for $63,574 (pre-sale est. 45,000-66,880)

HDH continues to dominate the US wine auction market, exceeding its nearest competitor by over 70%. The Bordeaux auction’s impressive results bring HDH’s 2014 auction sales to $36M. With a final December sale rounding out the year, every indication points to HDH retaining its status as the US’s #1 wine auction house for a fourth consecutive year.

Top Lots by Price (inclusive of 19.5% buyer’s premium):
Lot 974: 1982 Château Pétrus (12 bs) (est. $40,000-60,000) $53,775
Lot 487: 2009 Château Pétrus (12 bs) (est. $26,000-38,000) $35,850
Lot 485: 2009 Château Pétrus (12 bs) (est. $26,000-38,000) $33,460
Lot 486: 2009 Château Pétrus (12 bs) (est. $26,000-38,000) $33,460
Lot 589: 2010 Château Pétrus (12 bs) (est. $26,000-38,000) $33,460
Lot 594: 2010 Château Le Pin (12 bs) (est. $28,000-42,000) $33,460
Lot 824: 1982 Château Lafleur (6 bs) (est. $12,000-18,000) $26,290
Lot 1466: 2008 Château Pétrus (12 bs) (est. $19,000-28,000) $26,290
Lot 622: 1990 Château Pétrus (6 bs) (est. $14,000-20,000) $22,705
Lot 1075: 1982 Château Latour (12 bs) (est. $18,000-28,000) $21,510

Top Lots to Exceed High Estimates (inclusive of 19.5% buyer’s premium):
Lot 736: 1982 Château Montrose (3 mags) (est. $1,000-1,500) $2,390
Lot 753: 2005 Château Montrose (2 dbl-mags (3L)) (est. $850-1,300) $2,032
Lot 1235: 1986 Château Le Pin (1 b) (est. $850-1,300) $1,912
Lot 824: 1982 Château Lafleur (6 bs) (est. $12,000-18,000) $26,290
Lot 1233: 1983 Château Le Pin (1 b) (est. $1,200-1,800) $2,629
Lot 735: 1971 Château Montrose (3 mags) (est. $600-900) $1,315
Lot 170: 2000 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou (12 bs) (est. $1,600-2,400) $3,466
Lot 613: 1990 Château d’Yquem (12 hbs) (est. $1,500-2,200) $3,107
Lot 691: 1966 Château La Mission Haut-Brion (3 bs) (est. $750-1,100) $1,554
Lot 1209: 1982 Château Lafleur (1 b) (est. $2,000-3,000) $4,183

Sale Stats
Percent sold by lot: 100%
Total Aggregate: $5,020,625
Low Pre-Sale Estimate: $3,670,130
High Pre-Sale Estimate: $5,492,980

Auction Calendar
December 12 & 13, 2014
February 14, 2015
March 28, 2015

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 provide unrivaled expertise and personalized service to collectors and the wine trade, and offer a broad range of options for buying and selling wine.

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