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Auction PR Publicity Announcements News and Information

Hart Davis Hart Kicks Off 2015 with $4.9 Million in Auction Sales

HDH’s February Sale Shatters Estimates Across Wine Regions

(Chicago, IL) – Hart Davis Hart Wine Co., the largest wine auction house in the US, kicked off what promises to be a tremendous auction year with a blockbuster 99.8% sold February auction that brought in a total of $4.9 Million against presale estimates of $3.4-5.0 Million. A near-record number of participants led 40% of all lots in the sale to exceed their high estimates. These impressive results reiterate the fact that HDH holds the largest share of the US wine auction market–which in turn comprises the largest percentage of the global wine market.

Hart Davis HartThe quality and breadth of HDH’s February sale elicited passionate bidding from collectors and investors spanning five continents (including 41 states within the US). This large and diverse pool of participants showed a striking amount of interest well before the auction took place, submitting sheet after sheet of bids weeks in advance. In fact, HDH’s February auction received one of the largest numbers of pre-sale bids in our history—a promising start to 2015.

The two-day auction featured remarkable treasures from virtually every wine and spirit region. Never far from the spotlight, classic Burgundy saw a host of enthusiasm: the sale’s offerings from the region brought in $1.7M alone, more than 50% of which exceeded their pre-sale high estimates. Many wines from Drouhin, Leroy, Mugnier, Rousseau and others achieved astounding prices, including a single bottle of 1972 Romanée-Conti that sold for $11,353 (pre-sale est. $4,800-7,500) and 6 magnums of 2004 Rousseau Chambertin that sold for a record-breaking $19,120 (pre-sale est. $5,500-8,500). Vintage Bordeaux achieved similarly robust results, totaling $2M (pre-sale est. $1.5-2.2M). First Growths and “Super Seconds” from renowned vintages like 1945, 1961, 1970, 1995, 1996 and 2010 fared particularly well. Other Old World wines from the Rhône Valley, Italy and Spain also continued to command top prices, including two rare magnums of 1995 Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape that sold for a whopping $3,824 against an estimate of $1,600-2,400. Not to be upstaged, wines and spirits from the New World also piqued the interest of eager bidders: 45 of 50 lots from Sine Qua Non met or exceeded their high estimates, while Bourbon rarities enjoyed equally phenomenal results (for example, 2 bottles of 1974 A.H. Hirsch Finest Reserve 20 Year Old Straight Bourbon Whiskey that sold for $7,170 [pre-sale est. $2,600-3,800]).

Impressive highlights include:
• Armand Rousseau: 34 lots sold for $277,957 (est. $144,050-218,650)
• Domaine de la Romanée-Conti: 50 lots sold for $307,474 (est. $205,350-305,600)
• Domaine Leroy: 29 lots sold for $163,237 (est. $97,050-145,600)
• Joseph Drouhin: 29 lots sold for $98,827 (est. $60,300-91,300)
• Jacques-Frédéric Mugnier: 16 lots sold for $92,015 (est. $60,050-88,750)
• Coche-Dury: 6 lots sold for $18,881 (est. $10,300-15,250)
• Château Pétrus: 16 lots sold for $186,540 (est. $130,900-194,600)
• Château Mouton Rothschild: 55 lots sold for $197,414 (est. $145,950-218,350)
• Château Palmer: 8 lots sold for $20,554 (est. $12,900-19,200)
• Château Gruaud Larose: 12 lots sold for $23,661 (est. $15,650-23,300)
• Château Rayas: 16 lots sold for $51,385 (est. $29,100-44,200)
• Château de Beaucastel: 17 lots sold for $34,595 (est. $21,500-31,750)
• Sine Qua Non: 50 lots sold for $177,792 (est. $74,500-112,130)
• Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon & Rye: 25 lots sold for $48,935 (est. $31,130-46,100)

“What better way to start off the year than with a near-record number of bidders and phenomenal hammer prices?” remarked CEO Paul Hart. “This weekend’s results have us excited for the months ahead, and especially for our upcoming Burgundy auction—high quality Burgundy (among other regions) is undeniably trading at a premium.”

HDH has a proven track record of excellence, and continues to exceed its competition in terms of market share and sell-through rate. HDH’s next sale will be our 4th annual Celebration of Burgundy Auction on the weekend of March 28th. Consignments are still being accepted for the Burgundy auction through the end of this week. Don’t miss the opportunity to consign your wine in this strong market with America’s #1 auction house.

Top Lots (inclusive of 19.5% buyer’s premium):
Lot 1422: 1989 Château Pétrus (12 bs) (est. $32,000-48,000) $41,825
Lot 352: 1962 Romanée-Conti, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (2 bs) (est. $22,000-32,000) $35,850
Lot 1417: 1970 Château Pétrus (6 mags) (est. $19,000-28,000) $33,460
Lot 1300: 2005 Château Pétrus (1 imp (6L)) (est. $24,000-35,000) $31,070
Lot 1308: 1990 La Tâche, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (8 bs) (est. $24,000-35,000) $28,680
Lots 1020-1021: 2002 Chambertin, Armand Rousseau (12 bs) (est. $11,000-17,000) $22,705
Lot 1392: Vertical, 1996-2011 Chambertin, Armand Rousseau (1 b each vintage, 16 bs total) (est. $13,000-19,000) $22,705
Lot 1419: 1982 Château Lafite Rothschild (11 bs) (est. $22,000-32,000) $22,705
Lot 984: 2001 Romanée-St.-Vivant, Domaine Leroy (12 bs) (est. $11,000-17,000) $20,315
Lot 1023: 2004 Chambertin, Armand Rousseau (6 mags) (est. $5,500-8,500) $19,120

Sale Stats
Percent sold by lot: 99.8%
Total Aggregate: $4,908,546
Low Pre-Sale Estimate: $3,373,520
High Pre-Sale Estimate: $5,041,710

Auction Calendar
March 28, 2015
May 16, 2015
June 27, 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. visit or visit hdhwine.com