October Auction Achieves Impressive $6.3 Million Sale Showing Strength of Market

Hart Davis Hart, America’s top wine auction house, continued its strong performance thus far in 2020, with a 100% sold October sale, posting $6.3 million in sales against a pre-auction estimate of $3.6-5.4 million. The intense bidding brought strong hammer prices with many records shattered and over 85% of lots selling above the high end of estimates. The results confirm both the current strength of the fine wine market and HDH’s standing as the top wine auction house in the U.S.

HDH prides itself on representing some of the most knowledgeable and meticulous collectors in the world, and the consignors represented in this sale were no exception. Classic Wines Spanning Four Decades (lots 621-835) brought in $823,000 against a pre-sale estimate of $424,000-637,000. 3 bottles of 1978 Clos de la Roche, Domaine Dujac sold for an impressive $47,800 (lot 653, est. $9,500-14,000). Also of note were 6 bottles of 1985 Clos de la Roche, Domaine Dujac which garnered $47,800 (lot 656, est. $18,000-28,000); 6 bottles of 1985 Chambertin, Armand Rousseau which brought in $41,825 (lot 684, est. $22,000-32,000); and 4 bottles of 1971 Ridge Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Eisele Vineyard which sold for $17,925 (lot 806, est. $8,000-12,000).

Wines Directly from Montrose (lots 477-497) saw great interest from bidders. The star of the show was case #1 of their Bicentenary Case which sold for $28,680 (lot 497, est. $8,000-12,000). The lucky winning bidder brought home a custom-designed case which houses 2-liter bottles of the 2014, 2015, and 2016 Château Montrose and a cigar and game set. They also will be welcomed at the Château for a historic tasting of 20 vintages of Montrose spanning over thirteen decades.

Offering top selections from Bordeaux and Burgundy, The Hardy P. Graham Sr. Collection (lots 840-1008) totaled $657,000 against a pre-sale estimate of $369,000-551,000. Top lots from the group included 6 bottles of 2009 La Romanée, Comte Liger-Belair which garnered $35,850 (lot 896, est. $22,000-32,000); 6 bottles of 2010 Musigny, Jacques-Frédéric Mugnier which sold for $19,120 (lot 908, est. $9,500-14,000); and a single bottle of 1947 Château Cheval Blanc which brought in $14,340 (lot 841, est. $9,000-14,000).

Additional highlights from the sale included 6 magnums of 1970 Château Pétrus which sold for $59,750 (lot 562, est. $30,000-45,000); 3 bottles of 2015 Chambertin Domaine Leroy which garnered $38,240 (lot 373, est. $18,000-28,000); and 3 bottles of 2015 Romanée-Conti, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti which brought in $65,725 (lot 836, est. $38,000-55,000)

As the leading wine auction house in the U.S., HDH has a proven track record of excellence, and continues to exceed its competition in terms of market share, technology, and sell-through rate. HDH’s next auction will be held in Hong Kong on November 21st and will feature an exceptional selection of wines.

Consignments are being accepted for HDH’s upcoming auctions, including their December Auction of Finest & Rarest Wines. If you are looking to make room in your cellar or are looking to capitalize on the current strength of the market by consigning a portion of your collection, please contact HDH’s expert consignment team at consignments@hdhwine.com for a complimentary appraisal.

Top Lots by Price (inclusive of 19.5% buyer’s premium):

Lot 536: 1999 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Assortment (12 bs) (est. $45,000-65,000) $65,725
Lot 836: 2015 Romanée-Conti, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (3 bs) (est. $38,000-55,000) $65,725
Lot 562: 1970 Château Pétrus (6 mags) (est. $30,000-45,000) $59,750
Lot 837: 2016 Romanée-Conti, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (3 bs) (est. $38,000-55,000) $57,360
Lot 565: 1989 Château Pétrus (1 imp (6L)) (est. $30,000-45,000) $50,190
Lot 653: 1978 Clos de la Roche, Domaine Dujac (3 bs) (est. $9,500-14,000) $47,800
Lot 656: 1985 Clos de la Roche, Domaine Dujac (6 bs) (est. $18,000-28,000) $47,800
Lot 1405: 2017 Romanée-Conti, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (3 bs) (est. $28,000-42,000) $45,410
Lot 566: 1990 Château Pétrus (12 bs) (est. $28,000-42,000) $41,825
Lot 684: 1985 Chambertin, Armand Rousseau (6 bs) (est. $22,000-32,000) $41,825

Top Lots to Exceed Estimates (inclusive of 19.5% buyer’s premium):

Lot 653: 1978 Clos de la Roche, Domaine Dujac (3 bs) (est. $9,500-14,000) $47,800
Lot 656: 1985 Clos de la Roche, Domaine Dujac (6 bs) (est. $18,000-28,000) $47,800
Lot 497: MV Château Montrose Bicentenary Case (3 two litres) (est. $8,000-12,000) $28,680
Lot 562: 1970 Château Pétrus (6 mags) (est. $30,000-45,000) $59,750
Lot 836: 2015 Romanée-Conti, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (3 bs) (est. $38,000-55,000) $65,725
Lot 373: 2015 Chambertin, Domaine Leroy (3 bs) (est. $18,000-28,000) $38,240
Lot 684: 1985 Chambertin, Armand Rousseau (6 bs) (est. $22,000-32,000) $41,825
Lot 383: 2015 Richebourg, Domaine Leroy (3 bs) (est. $9,500-14,000) $22,705
Lot 376: 2015 Clos de la Roche, Domaine Leroy (6 bs) (est. $19,000-28,000) $35,850
Lot 386: 2015 Vosne-Romanée, Beaux Monts, Domaine Leroy (12 bs) (est. $19,000-28,000) $35,850