Record Number of Bidders Vied for Gems from Virtually Every Wine and Spirit Region
(Chicago, IL) – Hart Davis Hart Wine Co., the internationally renowned wine auction house and retailer, continued its success in 2015 with a tremendous May auction that brought in a total $6.2 million against pre-sale estimates of $4.3-$6.4 million. Held at the award-winning TRU restaurant in Chicago, the two-day sale saw 99.96% of its 2,642 lots sell, with nearly half of those meeting or exceeding their high estimates. These record results were due to passionate bidding between buyers in the room and collectors throughout the globe using HDH’s new, state-of-the-art bidding system and application.
The deluge of bids HDH received on Friday and Saturday was undoubtedly due in part to the remarkable depth, breadth and quality of the sale. Of these, mature offerings from the cellars of several noteworthy collectors received especially impressive demand. These included Red Bordeaux from 1961, 1971, 1985; Red Burgundy from 1978, 1985, and 1988; and California Cabernet and Meritage from 1974, 1978, and 1985. The auction’s offerings of French wine from the historic 1990 vintage also enjoyed competitive prices across the board, while the 1997 vintage piqued the interest of buyers seeking Italian Reds and California Cabernet. Of Bordeaux’s First Growths, Haut-Brion seemed to be in particular demand, with 34 lots from the estate selling for a total of $127,985 (est. $88,600-133,650). Mouton followed close behind, with 49 lots achieving $213,666 (est. $159,700-239,100).
Champagne continues to be one of the strongest categories within the market, and those offered in HDH’s May auction were no exception. The sale featured a stunning collection of wines direct from the cellars of Krug, including the worldwide auction debut of the 2000 vintage of Clos d’Ambonnay, that achieved $89,625 against estimates of $60,150-89,650. In addition, the auction’s 20 lots of Dom Pérignon sold for a remarkable $50,847 (est. $31,250-46,650). Bidders can look forward to a consignment direct from the cellars of Dom Pérignon in HDH’s upcoming June auction.
The other star of this sale was Sine Qua Non, Manfred and Elaine Krankl’s boutique California winery whose miniscule production leaves most collectors to vie over their wines at auction. This sale featured over 300 lots from this now-legendary winery—an impressive feat considering that SQN produces only 3,500 cases annually. Nearly all of these 300 lots sold at or above their pre-sale high estimates, bringing in a total of $760,857 (est. $415,170-620,870).
Other impressive highlights included:
• 256 lots of First Growth Bordeaux sold for $1,032,241 (est. $784,550-1,173,400)
• 18 lots of Cos d’Estournel sold for $30,449 (est. $18,950-28,050)
• 27 lots of Pichon-Lalande sold for $42,626 (est. $28,400-42,550)
• 34 lots of Domaine Leroy sold for $121,508 (est. $81,350-122,350)
• 57 lots of DRC sold for $218,625 (est. $158,900-238,200)
• 20 lots of Bruno Giacosa sold for $39,949 (est. $23,960-35,800)
• 15 lots of Gaja sold for $29,337 (est. $18,220-27,470)
• 27 lots of Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon sold for $153,558 (est. $109,700-166,200)
• 20 lots of Harlan sold for $44,633 (est. $31,300-47,400)
“We take pride in having the most accurate auction estimates in the business, so when those estimates are exceeded, it speaks to great demand,” remarked President Ben Nelson. “I advise collectors to take note of the wines that did particularly well in this sale, take stock of their cellars, and explore the benefits of selling wine through HDH.”
HDH’s final auction of the season will take place on the weekend of June 27th. Consignments are still being accepted through the end of this week. Please contact 312.379.8712 or email [email protected] for more information.
Top Lots by Price (inclusive of 19.5% buyer’s premium):
Lot 1791: 1982 Château Pétrus (12 bs) (est. $32,000-48,000) $41,825
Lots 1792, 1793: 1982 Château Pétrus (12 bs) (est. $32,000-48,000) $38,240
Lot 557: 1993 Vosne-Romanée, Cros Parantoux, Henri Jayer (4 bs) (est. $16,000-24,000) $22,705
Lot 1784, 1785: 1982 Château Lafite Rothschild (12 bs) (est. $20,000-30,000) $22,705
Lot 1814: 1962 Romanée-St-Vivant, Maison Leroy (12 bs) (est. $22,000-32,000) $22,705
Lot 2243: 1989 Château Le Pin (12 bs) (est. $19,000-28,000) $22,705
Lot 426: 2000 Krug, Clos d’Ambonnay (12 bs) (est. $16,000-24,000) $19,120
Lot 898: 2002 Château Pétrus (12 bs) (est. $15,000-22,000) $19,120
Lot 1816: 1988 Richebourg, Domaine Leroy (10 bs) (est. $11,000-17,000) $19,120
Lot 2129: 1995 Chevalier-Montrachet, Domaine d’Auvenay (Leroy) (12 bs) (est. $14,000-20,000) $19,120
Top Lots to Exceed Estimates (inclusive of 19.5% buyer’s premium):
Lot 1620: Sine Qua Non Rosé: 1997, Crossed (1 b); 1998, El Corazon (1 hb); 1999, XL (1 hb); 2000, The Filly (1 hb); 2001, Pagan Poetry (1 hb); 2002, E° (1 hb) (est. $1,200-1,800) $11,950
Lot 1578: 2005 Sine Qua Non Rosé, Strapless (2 bs); 2006 Sine Qua Non Rosé, Autrement Dit (4 bs) (est. $600-900) $5,975
Lot 1652: 1954 Very Old Fitzgerald 8 Year Old Kentucky Bourbon Distilled and Bottled by Stitzel-Weller (1 Half Pint (8oz)) (est. $100-150) $956
Lot 546: Sine Qua Non Rosé: 1997, Crossed (1 b); 2000, The Filly (1 hb); 2001, Pagan Poetry (1 hb); 2002, E° (3 hbs) (est. $1,100-1,700) $8,962
Lot 521: 2001 Sine Qua Non Roussanne, Rien Ne Va Plus (1 b and 1 mag) (est. $600-900) $3,824
Lot 1542: 1996 Sine Qua Non Pinot Noir, Left Field, Shea Vineyard (1 b) (est. $650-950) $3,824
Lot 1562: 2001 Sine Qua Non Roussanne, Rien Ne Va Plus (2 bs and 1 mag) (est. $800-1,200) $4,780
Lot 1540: 1995 Sine Qua Non White Wine, The Bride (1 b) (est. $1,200-1,800) $5,736
Lot 544: Sine Qua Non Pinot Noir: 1996, Left Field, Shea Vineyard (1 b); 1997, The Complicator, Shea Vineyard (2 bs); 1998, Veiled, Shea Vineyard (1 b); 1999, The Ox, Shea Vineyard (1 b) (est. $2,000-3,000) $8,962
Lot 1544: 1997 Sine Qua Non Pinot Noir, The Complicator, Shea Vineyard (1 b) (est. $700-1,000) $2,868
Sale Stats
Percent sold by lot: 99.96%
Total Aggregate: $6,163,236
Low Pre-Sale Estimate: $4,307,220
High Pre-Sale Estimate: $6,440,549
Auction Calendar
June 27, 2015
September 19, 2015
October 31, 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
