Held May 27-28 at the Island Shangri-La and Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, Acker Merrall & Condit’s two-day wine auction concluded on a heady note, with the sale achieving an impressive total of HKD 91 million (USD 11,67 million) and a 99% sold rate.

Over 1,100 lots of Burgundy and Bordeaux vintages were offered in the sale. Three world auction records were established – all of them Burgundy vintages – amid enthusiastic bidding via absentee bids, the room and live on the Internet. Two original wooden cases of 1988 Romanee Conti were realized at HKD 829,000 (USD 106,359), an original wooden case of 1982 Chateau Lafleur went under the hammer at HKD 439,200 (USD 56,203), while a lot comprising eight jeroboams by Louis-Michel Liger-Belair rang up HKD 536,800 (USD 68,821).

Of the Bordeaux on offer, a rare wooden case of 1945 Mouton Rothschild (top) with perfect provenance was sold for a grand HKD 1,281,000 (USD 164,230). Described as ‘one of the immortal wines of the Century’, the case had been reconditioned at the Chateau and cellared by Mahler-Besse. Other top Bordeaux lots included 15 magnums of 1983-2002 Le Pin (sold at HKD 829,600/USD 106,359), a case of 1982 Petrus in original wooden case (HKD 536,800/USD 68,821) and a case of 1982 Lafite (HKD 536,800/USD 68,821).

John Kapon, CEO of Acker Merrall & Condit Companies, commented on the success of the sale, “The sale testifies to the robust growth of the Hong Kong and Asian wine market, and Acker’s commitment to bring the world’s best cellars to market here”.

Fall/winter auctions will be held September 16-27, November 4-5 and December 9-10 in Hong Kong.

Acker Merrall & Condit