Sotheby’s will open its Hong Kong autumn sale series with five exceptional auctions of wines and spirits, to be held across three days, from 2 to 11 October. Two single-owner collections take centre stage: The Pristine Modern Cellar features a breathtaking selection of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, put together by an avid wine lover and his wife who both had an early understanding and appreciation for the greatest Burgundy Domaines, as well as for fine wines from all over the globe; and the return of Magnificent Bordeaux from the Cellar of Sir Dickson Poon, following the success of the first installment in 2020. The sale series also includes Crème de la Crème | DRC + Leroy, Finest and Rarest Spirits, and Finest and Rarest Wines (full schedule here). Comprising over 2,200 lots, the five sales carry a combined pre-sale estimate in the region of HK$120 million / US$16 million.
Our autumn sales season is distinguished by two unmissable single-owner collections that complement each other perfectly: the very finest Bordeaux, in enviable depth, and one of the best collections of top Burgundies to come to market in recent years - both with exceptional provenance and in optimum condition.
We are absolutely thrilled to have been entrusted with the second installment of Sir Dickson Poon’s superb wine collection, following the success of the first sale just over two years ago. Once again, it charts the best of the best from the Bordeaux region, with landmark vintages from top-tier Châteaux, including Lafite, Latour and Haut Brion. The wines in this sale were produced to the same exacting standards and discipline that Sir Dickson applied to his passion for wine collecting.
HIGHLIGHTS
The Pristine Modern Cellar
If ever there were a pristine collection of wines, this is it – Pristine Perfection.
The Pristine Modern Cellar has been assembled by a wine lover and his wife who have been buying and drinking a broad range of wines over the last two decades. His success as a businessman and investor enabled them to pursue their passion, at a time when demand for the wines they acquired was less global. As a result, they were able to build up a substantial collection, while enjoying many great bottles.
Burgundy comprises 70% of this auction, supplemented by the classic structure of the great Châteaux of Bordeaux. The whole range of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti is represented in strength; the Rousseau wines are as starry, and there is a stunning range of de Vogüé Musigny. Amongst the Bordeaux First Growths and those that rival them are La Mission Haut Brion and Léoville Lascases, Cheval Blanc, Ausone, Petrus and Lafleur, and Yquem.
Elsewhere in this superlative sale is the tantalising trio of Guigal’s Côte Rôtie treasures, followed by the grandest wines from Tuscany and Piedmont.
Est: HK$280,000 – 380,000 / US$35,000 – 48,000
Est: HK$800,000 – 1,100,000 / US$100,000 – 140,000
Magnificent Bordeaux from the Cellar of Sir Dickson Poon Part II
Those who have been fortunate enough to know Sir Dickson would also know his great love of wine, as he is a true oenophile with impeccable and discerning tastes. This passion is evident in each and every bottle from his cellar, which together form one of the most impressive collections of Bordeaux in the world.
A second magnificent assemblage of wine from the collection of Sir Dickson Poon, whose association with vinous quality has been a hallmark of his life, concentrates on the proven classics, but also superb wines that were initially not as well-known as the centuries-old French properties.
Standing out among the Bordeaux First Growths and their Right Bank equivalents is a plethora of the revered 1990 vintage. Lafite, Latour, Haut Brion and Cheval Blanc lead the way, with Cos d’Estournel, Troplong Mondot and Beauséjour Duffau vying for attention. The collection also pays homage to the phenomenal line-up of Petrus, resplendent across six decades and giving the opportunity for some of the wine world’s most astonishing comparisons, for instance, 1970 and 1971, and 1989 and 1990.
California has always featured in the cellar of this collector, with favourites being the Bryant Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Joseph Phelps Insignia, Peter Michael Cabernet Sauvignon Au Paradis and Christian Moueix’s Dominus, featuring the aromatic 2003 vintage. The collection also reveals hidden gems, such as the remarkable Romano Dal Forno’s Amarone della Valpolicella.
Est: HK$300,000 – 400,000 / US$38,000 – 50,000
Est: HK$120,000 – 170,000 / US$15,000 – 20,000 Michi Sin
Finest and Rarest Wines
Comprising over 500 lots and estimated in excess of HK$21 million / US$2.7 million, the autumn edition of the Finest & Rarest Wines sale features an international line-up. Making its auction debut at Sothebys in Asia is the Primum Familae Vini Case & Passport, which represents truly one of the most exceptional experiences in the world of wine – twelve of the finest vintages produced by some of the world’s finest wine producing families from France, Germany, Italy, Portugal and Spain; and the opportunity to visit each estate and enjoy lunch or dinner with a family member. The passport will never expire, and therefore these experiences can be redeemed at any point in future.
An outstanding cellar assembled by a wine aficionado who has developed an interest not just in Europe but across the world is highlighted by coveted bottles including Echezeaux 2018 from Georges Roumier, Ermitage Cuvée Cathelin 1990 from Jean-Louis Chave and Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon 2014. Parcel quantities of rare and mature Burgundy Champagne feature more than 60 bottles of Vosne Romanée Les Beaux Mont 1997 from Domaine Leroy and over 30 bottles of Krug Collection 1979.
Est: HK$180,000 – 240,000 / US$22,000 – 30,000
Est: HK$120,000 – 160,000 / US$15,000 – 20,000 Michi Sin
Finest and Rarest Spirits
Rare Japanese whiskies include a full set of 36 bottles of Karuizawa depicting Katsushika Hokusai’s 36 views of Mount Fuji, Karuizawa 50 Year Old Aqua of Life, and the Karuizawa Pearl & Gold Geisha Set. In addition, a set of limited edition 35-Years-olds in ceramic decanters from Hibiki are on offer, together with Hibiki 35 Years Old Sakaida Kakiemon XIV Decanter, Hibiki 35 Years Old Kutani Decanter and Hibiki 35 Years Old Arita Decanter. Scotch whisky features the iconic Brora Limited Edition 40 Year Old Cask Strength, of which only 160 bottles were produced, and the highly sought after Port Ellen 40 Year Old Casks Of Distinction 1979, of which only 78 bottles exist. For lovers of French spirits, there are parcel quantities of Fine de Bourgogne and Marc de Bourgogne from DRC. Last but not the least, an offering of Kweichow Moutai spans four decades, from the 1980s to 2019, including limited editions, from a very rare full case of Kweichow Flying Fairy Precious Moutai 1995, to Kweichow Moutai Guang Hui Li Cheng Set and Great Hall of The People Edition Moutai 2004.
Est: HK$1,100,000 – 1,500,000 / US$140,000 – 190,000
Est: HK$350,000 – 500,000 / US$42,000 – 60,000
Crème de la Crème | DRC + Leroy
Crème de la Crème | DRC + Leroy is a single-owner sale focusing on the best Burgundy has to offer, namely wines from the renowned Domaine de la Romanée-Conti and Domaine Leroy. This compact but mighty grouping of 170 lots is distinguished by wines presented in their banded original wooden cases, and many lots in consecutive bottle numbers. The collector, based in Asia, spent years amassing these treasured bottles from all around the world, purchasing them from reputable wine merchants only. As a result, the provenance of the wines is superb.
Est: HK$150,000 – 200,000 / US$19,000 – 24,000
Est: HK$240,000 – 320,000 / US$30,000 – 40,000
