Strong December auction totals $6.5M, brings annual total to $42.8M
(Chicago, IL) – Hart Davis Hart capped off 2014 with a remarkably strong auction in Chicago on December 12th & 13th, realizing $6.5M against pre-sale estimates of $4.7-$7.0M. The auction’s unparalleled quality and breadth attracted a multitude of participants, whose aggressive bids led more than a third of the 2263 lots to exceed their high estimates. The final of seven highly successful auctions held throughout the year, the December sale brought HDH’s 2014 live auction sales total to an incredible $42.8M, earning HDH the status of the largest wine auction house in the US for the fourth consecutive year. As the US has once again been the leading global market in 2014, this makes Hart Davis Hart the #1 auction house in the top wine auction market in the world.
HDH’s December sale enjoyed participation from bidders spanning 5 continents. Bidders showed particularly strong enthusiasm for the second installment of “A Superlative Selection of Wine from a Magnificent Long Island Cellar” (lots 1-310). The consignor provided HDH with receipts for virtually all of the wines in the group, proving that all had been carefully sourced. Boasting 8 of the top 10 lots of the auction, the collection brought in a total of $1.5M (est. $1.0-1.5M). Bidders also clamored for an extraordinary collection of Burgundian wines from the cellar of one of the world’s most prominent and revered collectors (lots 1129-1285), which achieved a total of $430,594 (est. $285,860-427,280). Results from both groups undeniably showed the extent to which buyers value provenance. These impeccable collections were accompanied by an array of smaller Burgundy consignments that culminated in a rare case of 1986 Romanée-Conti in owc which sold for $107,550–nearly $9,000 per bottle (est. $85,000-130,000).
This sale’s robust results were likely due in part to its depth, breadth and quality—the two-day auction featured treasures from virtually every wine region along with an impressive offering of spirits. These encompassed more than 850 lots of Red and White Burgundy (166 of which were from DRC), 473 lots of Red Bordeaux, 240 lots of Italian Reds, and 265 lots of California Cabernet Sauvignon. Particularly impressive parcels included:
• Henri/Henri for Georges Jayer: 16 lots sold for $174,231 (est. $104,250-153,750)
• Dujac: 61 lots sold for $179,370 (est. $113,170-169,150)
• Domaine de la Romanée-Conti: 166 lots sold for $1.43M (est. $1.06-1.59M)
• First Growth Bordeaux: 183 lots sold for $791,030 (est. $617,650-923,200)
• Bruno Giacosa: 38 lots sold for $89,147 (est. $55,680-83,750)
• Angelo Gaja: 35 lots sold for $49,413 (est. $34,030-50,850)
• Guigal: 14 lots sold for $31,727 (est. $20,400-30,350)
• Harlan: 21 lots sold for $56,882 (est. $37,900-56.400)
• Sine Qua Non: 19 lots sold for $41,287 (est. $15,700-23,370)
• American Bourbon & Rye: 35 lots sold for $67,326 (est. $46,750-69,710)
CEO Paul Hart commented: “In a year that proved difficult for some of our competitors, we’re proud to announce that HDH saw year-over-year growth of 18.4% in 2014. Thanks to the caliber of our consignments, our disciplined approach, and our relationships with top collectors, HDH continues to exceed the competition in terms of market share, hammer prices and sell-through rate.”
Top Lots by Price (inclusive of 19.5% buyer’s premium):
Lot 458: 1986 Romanée-Conti, DRC (12 bs) (est. $85,000-130,000) $107,550
Lot 43: 1999 La Tâche, DRC (6 mags) (est. $30,000-45,000) $47,800
Lot 40: 1999 DRC Assortment (12 bs) (est. $26,000-38,000) $38,240
Lot 193: 1995 Echézeaux, Henri Jayer for Georges Jayer (12 bs) (est. $14,000-20,000) $38,240
Lots 38 & 39: 1999 DRC Assortment (12 bs) (est. $26,000-38,000) $35,850
Lot 131: 2005 Musigny, Jacques-Frédéric Mugnier (12 bs) (est. $19,000-28,000) $33,460
Lot 874: 1998 Romanée-Conti, DRC (3 bs) (est. $24,000-35,000) $33,460
Lots 29 & 30: 1996 DRC Assortment (12 bs) (est. $20,000-30,000) $28,680
Lot 32: 1996 La Tâche, DRC (12 bs) (est. $20,000-30,000) $28,680
Lot 45: 1999 Richebourg, DRC (12 bs) (est. $18,000-28,000) $28,680
Top Lots to Exceed High Estimates (inclusive of 19.5% buyer’s premium):
Lot 193: 1995 Echézeaux, Henri Jayer for Georges Jayer (12 bs) (est. $14,000-20,000) $38,240
Lot 1030: 2002 Sine Qua Non Red Wine, Just For The Love Of It (1 dbl-mag (3L)) (est. $2,200 3,200) $5,975
Lot 1802: 2001 Bonnes-Mares, Domaine Dujac (1 jeroboam (3L)) (est. $2,200-3,200) $5,736
Lot 681: 1985 Bâtard-Montrachet, Domaine Ramonet (6 bs) (est. $1,500-2,200) $4,780
Lot 743: 1982 Barbaresco, Sorì San Lorenzo, Gaja (3 mags) (est. $1,200-1,800) $3,824
Lot 1228: 2002 Charmes-Chambertin, Vieilles-Vignes, Jacky Truchot-Martin (5 bs) (est. $1,000-1,500) $2,868
Lot 1757: 1971 Château Pétrus (1 b) (est. $1,000-1,500) $2,629
Lot 880: 2000 Barolo Riserva, Gran Bussia, Aldo Conterno (1 jeroboam (5L)) (est. $750-1,100) $2,629
Lot 928: 1996 Charmes-Chambertin, Vieilles-Vignes, Jacky Truchot-Martin (3 bs) (est. $750-1,100) $2,390
Lot 269: 1990 Vouvray, Moelleux, Goutte d’Or, Foreau – Clos Naudin (12 bs) (est. $480-750) $1,912
Sale Stats
Percent sold by lot: 98.9%
Total Aggregate: $6,498,124
Low Pre-Sale Estimate: $4,679,730
High Pre-Sale Estimate: $6,992,530
Auction Calendar
February 14, 2015
March 28, 2015
May 16, 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
