HDH's November Auction Tops $7.5 Million with 100% of Lots Sold

In a three-day sale this past weekend, Hart Davis Hart Wine Co. brought in $7.5 million, selling 100% of the 2,647 lots offered. The auction room was bustling with bidders while many more joined online or via HDH’s mobile app. The sale attracted interest from around the globe with bidders hailing from across the U.S. as well as Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, China, Brazil, Canada, and more. Alongside the auction, Hart Davis Hart partnered with Château Lafite Rothschild and Château Cheval Blanc to host several exciting dinners and tastings, including HDH's Annual Bordeaux Tasting.

The November auction opened with a special single-owner session, An Outstanding Private Collection (lots 1-806) which garnered $2.5 million against a pre-sale estimate of $1.7-2.5 million. Over 48% of all lots from the collection sold above their high estimates, with many achieving astonishing prices. Three single-bottle lots of 1945 Château Mouton Rothschild sold well above their estimates, with two lots bringing in $15,535 and the third garnering $16,730 (est. $7,500-11,000). Four 12-bottle cases of 2008 Nuits-St-Georges, Lavières, Comte Liger-Belair sold for a record price of $7,767 per case (est. $2,200-3,200). California Cabernet Sauvignon performed well with 81 lots bringing in $260,000 against a pre-sale estimate of $168,000-252,000.

Friday and Saturday offered our 6th annual Celebration of Bordeaux auction. Bidders clamored over the exceptional wines offered in the sale, bringing 86% of the 1,841 lots to sell above their midpoint estimates. Bidding was fierce over the remarkable treasures in this sale which broke several records including a 5-liter jeroboam of 1961 Château Latour which sold for $41,825 (est. $20,000-30,000); a 6-liter imperial of 1989 Château Pétrus whiach garnered $45,410 (est. $26,000-38,000); and a single magnum of 1959 Château Mouton Rothschild which brought in $14,340 (est. $8,000-12,000).

Lot 2077, Historic 1939 Château Cheval Blanc, was a highlight of the weekend bringing in $26,290 (est. $10,000-15,000). The fortunate bidder won case #1 of the special release of this historic wine including a lunch at the Château.

A selection of wines direct from Château Montrose performed well, highlighted by a full barrel (225L) offering of the 2018 Grand Vin which garnered $77,675 (est. $50,000-75,000).

Paul Hart commented: "The weekend was a great success for HDH. We saw incredible interest from bidders, with a record number of bids placed throughout the sale. Hart Davis Hart continues to be one of the top-performing auction houses, and our November results are a testament of what our team can offer to consignors and buyers."

Bidding for the auction house’s December 13 & 14 sale opens on Thursday, November 21 at 8:00am CT. HDH is looking forward to finishing 2019 with a strong sale offering wines from around the globe.

If you are looking to make room in your cellar or are looking to capitalize on your collection, please contact Hart Davis Hart’s Consignments team at consignments@hdhwine.com.

If you have spirits you are looking to sell, we are also accepting consignments for our next spirits-only auction.

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

Lot 2131A: 2018 Château Montrose (1 Barrel) (est. $50,000-75,000) $77,675
Lot 1106: 1989 Château Pétrus (1 imp (6L)) (est. $26,000-38,000) $45,410
Lot 317: 1980 Musigny, Maison Leroy (12 bs) (est. $35,000-5,5000) $41,825
Lot 1113: 1961 Château Latour (1 jeroboam (5L)) (est. $20,000-30,000) $41,825
Lot 1109: 1982 Château Lafite Rothschild (3 dbl-mags (3L)) (est. $24,000-35,000) $38,240
Lot 122: 2005 Château Pétrus (12 bs) (est. $30,000-45,000) $35,850
Lot 316: 1980 Chambertin, Maison Leroy (12 bs) (est. $26,000-38,000) $31,070
Lot 2434: 1971 Château Pétrus (12 bs) (est. $16,000-24,000) $28,680
Lot 903: 1982 Château Lafite Rothschild (12 bs) (est. $22,000-32,000) $26,290
Lot 1977: 2000 Château Pétrus (6 bs) (est. $18,000-28,000) $26,290
Lot 2077: 1939 Château Cheval Blanc (6 bs) (est. $10,000-15,000) $26,290

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

Lot 1113: 1961 Château Latour (1 jeroboam (5L)) (est. $20,000-30,000) $41,825
Lot 2077: 1939 Château Cheval Blanc (6 bs) (est. $10,000-15,000) $26,290
Lot 1106: 1989 Château Pétrus (1 imp (6L)) (est. $26,000-38,000) $45,410
Lot 99: 1945 Château Mouton Rothschild (1 b) (est. $7,500-11,000) $16,730
Lot 2434: 1971 Château Pétrus (12 bs) (est. $16,000-24,000) $28,680
Lot 334: 2008 Nuits-St-Georges, Lavières, Comte Liger-Belair (12 bs) (est. $2,200-3,200) $7,767
Lot 335: 2008 Nuits-St-Georges, Lavières, Comte Liger-Belair (12 bs) (est. $2,200-3,200) $7,767
Lot 336: 2008 Nuits-St-Georges, Lavières, Comte Liger-Belair (12 bs) (est. $2,200-3,200) $7,767
Lot 337: 2008 Nuits-St-Georges, Lavières, Comte Liger-Belair (12 bs) (est. $2,200-3,200) $7,767
Lot 97: 1945 Château Mouton Rothschild (1 b) (est. $7,500-11,000) $15,535
Lot 98: 1945 Château Mouton Rothschild (1 b) (est. $7,500-11,000) $15,535
Lot 343: 2008 The Golden Dragon Collection, Comte Liger-Belair (8 bs) (est. $5,000-7,500) $11,950

About Hart Davis Hart Wine Co.
Hart Davis Hart Wine Co. is the #1 wine auction house in the U.S. and a leading online retailer, occupying a unique position in the rare wine market. HDH provides unrivaled expertise and personalized service to collectors and the wine trade, offering a broad range of options for buying and selling wine. The company was founded in October 2004 by our team of the most experienced professionals in the wine industry and quickly became a trusted source for rare wine. Today, HDH is helmed by Paul Hart (Chairman & CEO), and Ben Nelson (President). Paul began his career at Christie’s Wine Department and held executive positions at Davis & Company and Sotheby’s. As part of their commitment to superior service, Hart Davis Hart spearheaded the development of their online bidding platform, which is the most sophisticated system of its kind. Released in March of 2015, the mobile app and auction website allow users to place absentee and live bids from anywhere. Hart Davis Hart’s dedication to innovation has made the firm the industry leader in terms of technology, service, and expertise.