Sotheby’s Hong Kong is delighted to announce two important wine sales – A Magnificent Bordeaux Cellar II and Finest & Rarest Wines Featuring the Collection of Ambassador Ronald Weiser from 4 to 5 April during its Spring 2014 Sales Series (4 – 8 April) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. A total of 1,600 lots will be offered, estimated in excess of HK$71 million / US$9.1 million*. The two-day sale series is highlighted by the presence of substantial quantities of top Bordeaux and Burgundies from the best vintages, with many available in multiple formats and in parcel quantities. It offers an exceptional opportunity for discerning Asian collectors who are keen to form a serious cellar of investment-grade wines.
A MAGNIFICENT BORDEAUX CELLAR II
10 AM, 4 APRIL 2014
Following the success of the sale of A Magnificent Bordeaux Cellar in October 2013, Sotheby’s will present this Spring the second part of this exceptional private cellar, featuring 381 lots estimated at HK$18 – 26 million / US$2.3 – 3.3 million. Finest Bordeaux – all First Growths plus their equivalents, Cheval Blanc and La Mission Haut–Brion – from the top vintages, such as 1982, 1986, 1989, 1990, 1995, 1996, 2000, are available in multiple formats. Many of these are offered in parcel quantities including 11 cases of Château Mouton Rothschild 1986, 12 cases of Château Margaux 1996 and 15 cases of Château Cheval Blanc 2000. For Sauternes lovers, the impressive selection of Yquem in parcel quantities from the great vintages over the past 20 years, including 10 cases of 2001, is definitely not to be missed.
Commenting on this Bordeaux cellar, Serena Sutcliffe, Master of Wine (M. W.), Head of Sotheby’s International Wine Department, said: “We are privileged to bring to auction a second part of this magnificent cellar of top Bordeaux wines. The vintages range from 1966 to 2004 and these remarkable wines come in a stupendous choice of formats that work for intimate dinners, or great parties and celebrations. Begin with the fabulous selection of Château Cheval Blanc to mark the Year of the Horse! Landmark vintages are here in abundance. There is the same wonderful choice for all the First Growths. This splendid collection is a serenade to the magnificence of Bordeaux’s First Growths, surely amongst the greatest achievements of France itself.”
SALE HIGHLIGHTS:
40 Lots of Château d’Yquem from 1996 – 2001
2001 (12 bottles), 10 lots – Est. HK$42,000 – 65,000 / US$5,500 – 8,500
88 Lots of Château Cheval Blanc from 1966 – 2004
1982 (12 bottles), 10 lots – Est. HK$65,000 – 90,000 / US$8,500 – 12,000
18 Lots of Château Lafite from 1982 – 2000
1986 (12 bottles), 4 lots – Est. HK$90,000 – 130,000 / US$12,000 – 17,000
80 Lots of Château Margaux from 1981 – 2003
1990 (12 bottles), 8 lots – Est. HK$70,000 – 110,000 / US$9,000 – 14,000
70 Lots of Château Mouton Rothschild from 1975 – 2000
2000 (12 bottles), 10 lots – Est. HK$85,000 – 130,000 / US$11,000 – 17,000
2000 (3 magnums), 3 lots – Est. HK$42,000 – 60,000 / US$5,500 – 7,500
2000 (double magnum), 2 lots – Est. HK$34,000 – 44,000 / US$4,250 – 5,500
2000 (jeroboam), 4 lots – Est. HK$60,000 – 80,000 / US$7,500 – 10,000
2000 (6–litre imperial), 3 lots – Est. HK$70,000 – 90,000 / US$9,000 – 12,000
42 lots of Château Latour from 1981 – 2000
2000 (12 bottles), 10 lots – Est. HK$85,000 – 120,000 / US$11,000 – 15,000
44 Lots of Château Haut-Brion and La Mission Haut-Brion from 1982 – 2000
1989 Haut-Brion (12 bottles), 7 lots – Est. HK$100,000 – 150,000 / US$13,000 – 19,000
1982 La Mission Haut-Brion (12 bottles), 3 lots – Est. HK$70,000 – 110,000 / US$9,000 – 14,000 FINEST & RAREST WINES
FEATURING THE COLLECTION OF AMBASSADOR RONALD WEISER
APPROX. 1 PM, 4 APRIL; 10 AM, 5 APRIL
The sale features 1,219 lots estimated at HK$53 – 75 million / US$6.8 – 9.6 million, highlighted by a superb collection from the home cellar of Ambassador Ronald Weiser (151 lots; Est. HK$9 – 13 million / US$1.2 – 1.6 million) offered by the University of Michigan with all proceeds benefiting the Food Allergy Center. The collection represents over a century of liquid history, from 1899 to 2008, with an emphasis on historic, mature wines of remarkable complexity and depth. Rare vintages in large format are available, including magnums of La Mission Haut-Brion 1945, Cheval Blanc 1929 and Lafite 1959. A 57-bottle vertical of Mouton Rothschild from 1918 to 1996 is another major sale attraction. There is also a magnificent collection of top class burgundies highlighted by 80 lots of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti from 1952 to 2008 and 26 lots of Henri Jayer from 1980 to 1993. All wines in this collection have been bought with great care and kept in excellent condition before being shipped to Hong Kong via dedicated temperature-controlled ocean freight.
Elsewhere in the auction is a focus of top class Bordeaux with parcels of First Growths from vintages such as 1986, 1990 and 1996. Right Bank highlights include a case of Le Pin 1990, Chateau Pétrus 1982, 1989 and 1990. For Burgundies, a selection of DRC will be offered, including Romanée–Conti 1990 and La Tâche 1990.
Commenting on the Collection of Ambassador Ronald Weiser, Serena Sutcliffe, Master of Wine (M. W.), Head of Sotheby’s International Wine Department, remarked: “It is a special pleasure to introduce this fabulous selection of wine, so generously being sold to benefit a deserving charity. That, in itself, is a reflection of the owner of this superb cellar, for Ambassador Weiser has been a remarkable philanthropist for decades. His generosity is matched by his love of wine and his taste in acquiring the best.
“French wines are his greatest love and the pinnacles of winemaking in Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne are represented in this exciting auction. With the exception of a few younger vintages that were bought on release, all the wines in this sale were purchased more than fifteen years ago and have since been stored under ideal conditions in his home cellar. The collection represents over a century of liquid history, tracing how some of the world’s most iconic wines evolve and change, showing different aspects of their beauty with each decade.”
Bordeaux
69 Lots of Château Mouton Rothschild from 1899 to 2009
57-bottle vertical from 1918 to 1996 – Est. HK$400,000 – 550,000 / US$50,000 – 70,000
132 Lots of Château Lafite from 1959 to 2008
1959 (4 magnums) – Est. HK$200,000 – 280,000 / US$25,000 – 35,000
1986 (12 bottles), 16 cases – Est. HK$80,000 – 120,000 / US$10,000 – 15,000
127 Lots of Château Margaux from 1983 to 2003
1996 (12 bottles), 32 cases – Est. HK$42,000 – 60,000 / US$5,500 – 7,500
67 Lots of Château Latour from 1982 to 2004
1982 (12 bottles), 4 cases – Est. HK$140,000 – 180,000 / US$18,000 –22,500
1990 (12 bottles), 14 cases – Est. HK$50,000 – 70,000 / US$6,500 – 9,000
45 Lots of Château La Mission Haut-Brion from 1945 to 2005
1945 (2 magnums) – Est. HK$180,000 – 240,000 / US$22,500 – 30,000
55 Lots of Château Ausone from 1998 to 2003
2003 (12 bottles), 40 cases – Est. HK$70,000 – 100,000 / US$9,000 – 13,000
95 Lots of Château Cheval Blanc from 1929 to 2005
1929 (2 magnums) – Est. HK$200,000 – 280,000 / US$25,000 – 35,000
65 Lots of Château Pétrus from 1947 to 2008
1989 (12 bottles), 8 cases – Est. HK$320,000 – 460,000 / US$40,000 – 60,000
Burgundy
80 Lots from Domaine de la Romanée-Conti from 1952 to 2008
Romanée-Conti 1990 (6 bottles) – Est. HK$700,000 – 1 million /
US$ 90,000 – 120,000
26 Lots from Henri Jayer from 1980 – 1993
Richebourg 1983 (5 bottles) – Est. HK$280,000 – 360,000 / US$35,000 – 45,000
Vosne Romanée, Cros Parantoux 1982 Henri Jayer (3 magnums) – Est.
HK$140,000 – 200,000 / US$18,000 – 25,000 (pictured on p1)