Acker Merrall & Condit November Hong Kong Sale Achieves Total of HK$46.8 Million/US$6 Million

84 New World Records Set Including Six for DRC Romanée-Conti

HONG KONG--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Acker Merrall & Condit, the world’s leading wine auctioneer and America’s oldest fine wine merchant, continued the strong momentum of its autumn season in its Hong Kong sale held on 9 & 10 November 2012 at Grand Hyatt Hong Kong. A total of HK$46.8 million/US$6 million was achieved in the two-day sale featuring over 1,000 lots of some of the world’s most sought after wines. Domaine de la Romanée-Conti dominated the weekend’s auction, accounting for nine out of the sale’s top ten lots, and an astonishing thirty out of thirty-six. The top two lots were a 12-bottle case of the 1988 Romanée-Conti selling for HK$1,033,200/US$132,462 and three bottles of the exceedingly rare 2005 Romanée-Conti, which fetched HK$541,200/US$69,385, establishing a new world auction record per bottle of this wine.

John Kapon, CEO of Acker Merrall & Condit Companies, commented after the sale: “Domaine de la Romanée-Conti asserted itself this sale as the world’s most important producer, and the wine after which the producer is named set an amazing six new world records for six different vintages from the last decade. There was strong demand in Burgundy overall, and we also saw considerable interest in the wines from the Rhone, Germany and Italy. The market continues to diversify, and the next two months will bring direct consignments and appearances in Hong Kong from Gaja, Dujac and Roulot, along with two blockbuster auctions, the likes of which we haven’t seen since 2011. We’re excited to close out the Chinese calendar year in grand fashion!”

DOMAINE DE LA ROMANEE-CONTI

Romanée-Conti once again dominated the top ten lots. The top price was achieved by an extraordinary 12-bottle case of 1988 Romanée-Conti in their original wooden case that fetched HK$1,033,200/US$132,462 (Lot 840, illustrated right) after spirited bidding. Further Romanée-Conti highlights included 6 bottles of 1993 (HK$541,200/US$69,385, Lot 843), 6 bottles of 1997 (HK$492,000/US$63,077, Lot 844), 6 bottles of 1989 (HK$442,800/US$56,769, Lot 841), 3 bottles of 1990 Romanée-Conti (HK$418,200/US$53,615, Lot 842) and 3 bottles of 2009 Romanée-Conti (HK$369,000/US$47,308, Lot 862). In addition, world records were set for the 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006 and 2007 vintages.

CHATEAU PETRUS

The legendary Pétrus lots attracted keen interest from bidders that resulted in Bordeaux’s strongest prices. Top Pétrus lots included 12 bottles of 1982 in owc (HK$442,800/US$56,769, Lot 833) and 12 bottles of 1989 in owc (HK$369,000/US$47,308, Lot 215, illustrated left).

PREMIER FEATURED COLLECTION FROM A PRESTIGIOUS AMERICAN COLLECTOR

Strong prices were commanded by the astonishing collection of Romanée Conti led by 3 bottles of the highly coveted 2005 Romanée-Conti in banded owc selling for HK$541,200/US$69,385 (Lot 735), surpassing the high estimate of HK$400,000 and setting a world record price per bottle of this wine. A 5-bottle lot of 1998 and 1999 Romanée-Conti fetched HK$442,800/US$56,769 (Lot 727) while 3 bottles of 2002 Romanée-Conti sold for HK$418,200/US$53,615 (Lot 731), a new world record.

Extremely rare double magnums of Screaming Eagle also sold from this collection. A double magnum of 1993 (Lot 816) and another double magnum of 1994 (Lot 817) achieved HK$118,080/US$15,138 each.

EXTRAORDINARY PARCEL FROM A DISTINGUISHED HONG KONG COLLECTOR

Featuring legendary wines from Bordeaux and Burgundy, this unique collection created great sensation in the sale. Important lots from this eminent Hong Kong collector included 12 bottles of 1990 DRC Assortment (HK$393,600/US$50,462, Lot 225, illustrated right), and 12 bottles of 2005 La Tâche in owc (HK$369,000/US$47,308, Lot 238).

EXCLUSIVE OFFERINGS DIRECT FROM DOMAINE FAIVELEY & DOMAINE HUBERT LIGNIER

Vinous treasures direct from Domaine Faiveley and Domaine Hubert Lignier were specially presented in this sale, including mixed lots of Premier Cru and Grand Cru wines in both standard and large format. Notable lots of Domaine Faiveley included a 6-bottle vertical of Musigny from 2005 to 2010 (HK$108,240/US$13,877, Lot 339) and a 72-bottle Corton vertical from 2005 to 2010 (HK$78,720/US$10,092, Lot 337).

Domaine Hubert Lignier highlights were 12 bottles of Clos de la Roche of the vintages 1999 and 2002 (HK$41,820/US$5,362, Lot 349), a highly sought-after 1988 Clos de la Roche in Methuselah (HK$39,360/US$5,046, Lot 347) and 6 bottles of 1978 Charmes Chambertin (HK$27,060/US$3,469, Lot 346).

The next Hong Kong sale will be held from 6 to 8 December 2012 at Grand Hyatt Hong Kong.

Acker Merrall & Condit Asia Headquarters

1902B, 19/F, The Centrium, 60 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong |+852.2525.0538 | [e-mail] | www.ackerasia.com

About Acker Merrall & Condit

Founded in 1820, Acker Merrall & Condit is America’s oldest fine wine merchant and the world’s largest wine auction house. With affiliates in New York, Chicago and Hong Kong, the companies hold more than fifteen auctions a year, including Internet auctions. They are devoted to helping their customers buy and sell the best wines, and also to sharing with them the experience of enjoying wine. In recent years, the company has greatly expanded its services to education, tastings and the formation of wine clubs. Starting out as a family business, three generations of the Kapon family have been dedicated to bringing the best from the vine to their customers.