Chateau Mouton Rothschild's first ex-chateau wine auction in Asia fetched a total of US$4.1m, more than double its pre-sale estimate, when it concluded this weekend at Sotheby's Hong Kong Gallery.
The auction entitled ‘Chateau Mouton Rothschild: Direct from the Property’ saw 100% of the lots sold via ‘intense’ rounds of bidding in the room, on the phone and online, with 93% above their high estimate, totalling US$4.1m (HK$32m / £2.7m).
Leading the sale, and setting a world record for a Mouton vertical at auction, was a rare 66-bottle collection spanning 68 vintages from 1945-2012 (excluding the 1958 and 1963) which sold online for US$376,900 (HK$2.94m / £251,365).
Also setting records for wine in this format at auction was one bottle of Chateau Mouton Rothschild 1870, a magnum of 1945, three bottles from 1959, three bottles from 1961, six magnums of 1982 and a 15-litre nebuchadnezzar from the 2000 vintage which sold for US$117,788 (HK$918,750 / £78,552).
Speaking of the auction results, Jamie Ritchie, CEO and President of Sotheby’s Wine, Americas & Asia, said; ‘The record prices achieved in this auction showed Asian collectors’ great appreciation of Mouton Rothschild and the perfect direct-from-the-property provenance.
‘This exceeded our highest expectations and shows the strength of the market for wines with perfect provenance presented in Sotheby’s single-owner sale format.’
The auction is said to have had specific significance taking place ahead of the beginning of Chinese Spring Festival or the Lunar New Year which will be the Year of the Ram – the chateau’s emblem.
It also served as commemoration of the life of the late Baroness Philippine de Rothschild who was instrumental in promoting the Chateau Mouton Rothschild label. A large portion of the sale proceeds will go towards The Baroness Philippine de Rothschild Foundation for the Arts, a non-profit charity created by her three children in memory of their mother. All three children were present for the sale.
Speaking after the auction Philippe Sereys de Rothschild, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Baron Philippe de Rothschild SA, said: ‘We were especially thrilled with the result of this sale that exceeded our expectations. It is clearly the wine professionals’ and collectors’ recognition of our mother’s lifelong involvement in ensuring the quality and enhancing the reputation of Chateau Mouton Rothschild throughout the world. Thus, we look forward to the years to come with great enthusiasm.’
To see the top ten Chateau Mouton Rothschild auction lots click here.
Written by Decanter
