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Auction PR Publicity Announcements News and Information

Hart Davis Hart Kicks Off Fall Season with its Largest Auction of All Time

The 100% Sold Sale Brought in $16.7 Million Against Pre-Sale Estimates of $10.6-15.9 Million

(Chicago, IL) – Hart Davis Hart Wine Co. recorded history this weekend holding their largest auction ever, as well as the largest commercial wine auction world-wide since 2016. The impressive September sale brought in $16.7 million against pre-sale estimates of $10.6-15.9 million. A record number of bids were placed over the course of the three-day sale which saw participation from countries around the world, bringing 67% of lots to sell above their high estimate. With their September results, HDH continues to dominate the U.S. market, holding over 40% of the U.S. wine auction market.

The three-day auction featured treasures from virtually every wine region. The auction opened with A Stupendous Cellar of Rarest European and New World Wines (lots 1-694) which realized $1.9 million against pre-sale estimates of $1.1-1.7 million. 2 bottles of 1978 Volnay, Clos des 60 Ouvrées (Caillerets), La Pousse d’Or broke records selling for $10,157 (lot 229, est. $550-850). The most the wine had sold for previously was $100.77 per bottle in 2017. Additional highlights from the collection included 4 bottles of 2004 Corton-Charlemagne, Domaine Leroy which garnered $14,340 (lot 369, est. $6,500-9,500); 3 bottles of 1978 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Réserve des Célestins, Henri Bonneau which sold for $13,145 (lot 424, est. $5,500-8,500); and 3 bottles of 1995 Chevalier-Montrachet, Domaine d’Auvenay (Leroy) which brought in $15,535 (lot 366, est. $7,500-11,000).

Friday saw one of the most remarkable Burgundy collections ever to be offered by Hart Davis Hart. The Greatest Drinking Cellar of All Time (lots 1664-1823) brought in a total of $3.9 million against pre-sale estimates of $2.5-3.8 million, with over 43% of lots selling above their high estimate. Achieving record numbers, the consignment featured 6 magnums of 1996 Montrachet, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti which brought in $113,525 (lot 1823, est. $60,000-90,000); 6 magnums of 1991 Chambertin, Clos de Bèze, Armand Rousseau which garnered $107,550 (lot 1780, est. $45,000-65,000); 12 bottles of 1991 Musigny, Domaine Leroy which garnered $107,550 (lot 1712, est. $60,000-90,000); 3 magnums of 1991 Chambertin, Armand Rousseau which sold for $89,625 (lot 1779, est. $35,000-75,000); and 6 bottles of 1991 Chambertin, Armand Rousseau which sold for $57,360 (lot 1777, est. $20,000-30,000)­.

Saturday was an exciting end to the weekend with A Monumental Cellar of First Growth Bordeaux (lots 2209-3118) garnering $4.3 million against pre-sale estimates of $2.8-4.2 million. There was great demand for the large format Bordeaux offered, with 1 magnum of 1990 Château Margaux bringing in $19,120 (lot 2467, est. $9,000-14,000); 5 lots of 1986 Château Lafite Rothschild jeroboams (5L) sold for $11,352 each (lots 2264-2267, est. $5,000-7,500); a Melchior (18L) of 2005 Château Cheval Blanc garnered $21,510 (lot 2227, est. $12,000-18,000); and an imperial of 1989 Château Haut-Brion sold for $20,315 (lot 2232, est. $11,000-17,000).

In addition to these stunning consignments, Bordeaux and Burgundy had strong hammer prices in the September auction. Supporting recent trends, Burgundy prices were robust, with the category as a whole selling above the high estimate. Top highlights included a 12 bottle 1999 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Assortment which sold for $71,700 (lot 1328, est. $45,000-65,000); 6 bottles of 2015 La Tâche, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti which garnered $33,460 (lot 980, est. $17,000-26,000); and 1 magnum of 2010 Romanée-Conti, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti which brought in $45,410 (lot 1129, est. $26,000-38,000). Bordeaux continued to see strong results as well, with mature Bordeaux in particular. Highlights include 12 bottles of 1989 Château Haut-Brion which brought in $38,240 (lot 3152, est. $16,000-24,000); a double-magnum of 1959 Château Latour which garnered $21,510 (lot 1115, est. $7,000-10,000); and 2 magnums of 1989 Château Haut-Brion which sold for $13,145 (lot 3153, est. $5,500-8,500).

Additional highlights include:
165 lots of Château Lafite Rothschild sold for $1,217,585 (est. $821,800-1,229,200)
154 lots of Château Mouton Rothschild sold for $1,023,039 (est. $682,500-1,020,900)
186 lots of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti sold for $2,329,891 (est. $1,496,900-2,222,300)
143 lots of Domaine Leroy sold for $1,849,322 (est. $1,186,350-1,786,950)
93 lots of Armand Rousseau sold for $1,642,527 (est. $989,350-1,492,200)

As the #1 wine auction house in the U.S. for the past 6 years, HDH has a proven track record of excellence, and continues to exceed its competition in terms of market share, auction size and sell-through rate. HDH’s next sale will be a two-day mobile-only auction on October 11th &12th. On the weekend of November 10th, the auction house will host their fifth annual Celebration of Bordeaux auction alongside their Annual Bordeaux Tasting on November 8th which features over 30 vintages from Château Léoville Las Cases.

Consignments are still being accepted for the November Celebration of Bordeaux sale through October 5th. If you are looking to make room in your cellar or are looking to capitalize on the current strength of the wine market by consigning a portion of your collection, please contact our expert consignment team at [email protected] or 312.279.8712.

For more information on Hart Davis Hart Wine Co. or to arrange a media visit, please contact Sophia Springer at 312.324.0951, [email protected] or visit hdhwine.com