It is a very special honour for us to bring to auction a further selection of remarkable wines, collected by a real connoisseur of the good things in life, notably wine, food and art.  He has used his knowledge and taste to direct his buying, with the result that you could use the proverbial pin to dive into this array of wines and come out with a winner every time.  'Only the Best Will Do' must have been the criterion when acquiring this notable line-up.

Burgundy leads the charge here and the jewels of the Côte d'Or are impressive.  Whether red or white, these wines come from the most reputed producers and the most illustrious crus.  Domaine Leroy dominates and in vintages where you can pull corks soon after buying - and Leroy Grands Crus require time to show at their most stunning.  

The Grand Tour continues with legends such as Roumier, Ponsot, Gros Frère et Soeur, Rousseau, Bouchard Père et Fils, Rouget, Fourrier, Dujac, Groffier, Trapet, Hudelot-Noëllat, Anne Gros - and those are the reds!  Not to be outdone, the whites vie for top billing, with d'Auvenay, BPF, Drouhin, Roulot, Ramonet, Niellon, Lafon and Raveneau, all stars in the galaxy.

With such a rich choice, the possibilities for comparison are huge, whether between vintages, producers or the crus themselves.  The consignor delighted in hosting generous and informative tasting and dining occasions and we know that others may now do so themselves.

The Champagnes in this sale are of glowing quality, headed by Dom Pérignon, Roederer's Cristal, Krug, Selosse and Pol Roger, in vintages of varying maturity - I would pounce, if I could, on the 2002s, but everyone has their favourites.

As this consignor has a deep love of French wine, both Bordeaux and the Rhone are not neglected and, again, the choices are the very best.  You just cannot 'go wrong' in this sale - every wine is a treasure and it is a total pleasure to bring this collection to a world-wide audience.

Serena Sutcliffe, MW, Honorary Chairman

The Philosophy of Excellence: A Meticulously Assembled 20+ Year Collection

We are delighted to once again present exceptional wines from this highly knowledgeable collector, whose passion seamlessly bridges the worlds of fine wine and art.

The sale greatly focuses on Burgundy, highlighted by an impressive selection of classic producers. Feature lots include Domaine Leroy 1990 Musigny, 2011 Richebourg, 1999 Romanée St. Vivant, 2009 Vosne-Romanée Les Beaux Monts, and 2009 Vosne-Romanée, Genaivrières. White Burgundy is equally well-represented by Domaine d'Auvenay’s 2009 Chevalier-Montrachet, 2012 Bâtard-Montrachet, 2007 Puligny-Montrachet Les Folatières, and 1998 Meursault Narvaux. Legendary producers also anchor the collection, with pristine full cases in their original wooden cartons from Georges Roumier Musigny 2007, Armand Rousseau Chambertin 2008, Bouchard Père & Fils La Romanée 2004, and Emmanuel Rouget Vosne-Romanée Cros Parantoux 2003.

The auction's Champagne section is equally formidable, featuring a spectacular array of Dom Pérignon spanning five decades from 1976 to 2004. This is complemented by parcel quantities of Louis Roederer Cristal 2006, Bollinger R.D. 2002, and Veuve Clicquot Privée Rosé 1989, alongside highly sought-after cult producers like Jacques Selosse and Henri Giraud. Rounding out this magnificent offering are premier Bordeaux first growths and top estates, including Château Haut-Brion, Château Cos d'Estournel, and historic selections from Paul Jaboulet Aîné.

Representing a small portion of a much larger collection, these bottles have been meticulously assembled over more than 20 years. Many were acquired through historic Sotheby’s single-owner auctions—including “Direct from the Cellars of Paul Jaboulet Aîné” (2012), “Wines from the Cellar of The Fux Restaurant” (2017), and “The Transcendent Sale” (2019)—while others were purchased on release from one reputable UK wine merchant. Prior to this sale, all wines were professionally stored in a pristine, temperature-controlled cellar.

I have had the distinct privilege of sharing numerous memorable bottles with the consignor over the years, during which I have been captivated by his profound philosophy on wine and art. Discerning collectors may bid with absolute confidence in this sale, as each producer featured was meticulously selected not merely by reputation, but by the true excellence of their craft.

Paul Wong

Head of Wine & Spirits, China

SPECIAL NOTICES

Please note that bidders are required to provide government issued photo identification. For certain lots, deposits may be required. Sotheby’s has sole discretion to request deposits and cancel bids if requirements are not met by bidders.

請留意，競投人須提供由政府簽發並具照片的身份證明文件。競投人如出價競投某些拍品，須先提交定金。蘇富比全權酌情決定要求競投人提交定金，或在競投人無法符合要求的情況下取消其出價。

Under the law of Hong Kong, intoxicating liquor must not be sold or supplied to a minor in the course of business.

根據香港法律，不得在業務過程中，向未成年人售賣或供應令人醺醉的酒類。

The Hong Kong Tax has been fully paid on these lots, however, the buyer has sole responsibility for any transport costs and any duty or taxes when shipping the lot outside of Hong Kong.

本拍品在入口香港時已付清相關稅項，但買家須自行支付所有運輸費用、及運送拍品到香港以外地區所產生的關稅或稅項。

Please note: Sotheby’s cannot assist with international shipping of Wine & Spirits from Hong Kong auctions.

請注意： 蘇富比不會為在香港拍賣的洋酒及烈酒提供國際付運支援服務。

GLOSSARY OF ABBREIVATIONS

Ullages (Level of Wine or Spirit)

For bottles with defined shoulders the ullage/level is indicated, if applicable, by its relative position in the bottle.

Our interpretations are as follows:

u. - ullage/ullages (levels)

bn. - bottom neck; completely acceptable for any age of wine or spirit

vts. - very top shoulder; completely acceptable for any age of wine or spirit

ts. - top shoulder; usual level for wines or spirits over 15 years old

hs. - high shoulder; typical reduction through the cork, usually no problem

ms. - mid shoulder; usually some deterioration of the cork and therefore some variation

Example: (u. 3hs) means 3 bottles ullaged to high shoulder.

For Burgundy, German and other wines in bottles with sloping necks the ullage is indicated in

centimetres, measured from the base of the cork.

Example: (u. 2x5cm) means 2 bottles ullaged 5 centimetres.

Fully branded cork indicates the producer, vineyard and vintage are legible on the cork.

Branded cork indicates that the cork is branded with either the producer, wine and/or vintage being legible on the cork.

Sotheby’s does not indicate levels under 3 cm in the necks of the bottles inspected.

Parcel is a group of lots of the same type and quantity of wine.

Sotheby’s does not comment on either back labels or importer labels

Bottle Sizes:

hb. - half bottle

imp.pt. - imperial pint

hf.ltr. - half litre

bt 70 - 70cl

bt 50 - 50cl

bt 5 - 5cl

bt 1 - 1cl

bt(s). - bottle(s)

ltr. - litre

mag. - magnum

m-j. - marie-jeanne

d.mag. - double magnum

jero. - jeroboam

reho. - rehoboam

imp. - imperial

meth. - methuselah

salm. - salmanazar

balth. - balthazar

nebu. - nebuchadnezzar

melr. - melchior

Packing:

(cn) carton

(oc) original carton

(ot) original tube

(owc) original wooden case

(opc) original presentation

Case

(nop) no original packaging

(sc) Sotheby’s carton

(brl) barrel

(hgh) hogshead

(wc) wooden case

General

[ ] believed e.g. [1970] believed 1970

cm. centimetres

bt(s) bottle(s)

For assistance with bidding and registration, please contact:

enquiries@sothebys.com

+852 2524 8121

For all sale enquiries please contact:

Paul Wong | Paul.Wong@sothebys.com | +852 2822 5541

Director, Head of Wine & Spirits, China

Jacky Chan | Jacky.Chan@sothebys.com | +852 2822 8173

Director, Head of Auction Sales, Asia, Wine & Spirits

Nicole Lui | Nicole.Lui@sothebys.com | +852 2822 5522

Specialist, Wine & Spirits

Anthony Choi | Anthony.Choi@sothebys.com | +852 2822 8174

Wine Specialist, Property