HDH's Record-Breaking December Auction Realizes $7.3 Million

Hart Davis Hart capped off the year with another successful auction this weekend in Chicago realizing $7,375,946 against a pre-sale estimate of $5,109,950-7,628,640. The December auction saw over 40% of lots sell above their high estimate, with 100% of lots sold. The sale saw a vast number of bidders participating from across the U.S. as well as Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

Wines from Domaine Leroy saw intense bidding and top prices with five of the top ten lots hailing from the renowned Burgundy producer. Several lots from the domaine broke records including 3 bottles of 2011 Musigny which brought in $57,360 (lot 754, est. $24,000-35,000); 3 bottles of 1988 Chambertin which garnered $17,925 (lot 1653, est. $6,500-9,500); and 4 bottles of 2001 Chambertin which sold for $28,680 (lot 1665, est. $15,000-22,000).

Additional highlights from the weekend include an 18-liter bottle of 2005 Château Cheval Blanc which sold for a record $23,900 (lot 1522, est. $14,000-20,000); a full case of 2009 Riesling Abts.er.de Grosses Gewächs, Weingut Keller which garnered $4,182 (lot 1736, est. $900-1,400); 12 bottles of 2012 Chambertin, Clos de Bèze, Armand Rousseau which brought in $21,510 (lot 1731, est. $12,000-18,000); and 3 magnums of 2014 Montrachet, Domaine Ramonet which sold for $17,925 (lot 1767, est. $9,500-14,000).

A wonderful selection of Madeira came across the auction block this weekend as well. Two single-bottle lots of 1760 Terrantez Madeira, Borges garnered $14,340 each (lots 1812-1813, est. $7,500-11,000); alongside a single bottle of 1748 Verdelho Solera Madeira, Justino Henriques which brought in $3,824 (lot 1811, est. $1,300-1,900); and 1 bottle of 1795 Terrantez Madeira, Companhia Vinicola da Madeira which sold for $6,572 (lot 901, est. $4,000-6,000).

Over the course of the year, HDH has continued to be a leader in the U.S. market, consistently realizing strong prices while maintaining a 100% sell-through rate. The wine auction house, based in Chicago, continues to push boundaries and raise the market standard. Over the course of seven live auctions held this year, HDH garnered $58.4 million in sales.

Paul Hart commented "2019 has been a successful year for us and we are incredibly grateful to our bidders and consignors who have helped make that possible. The fine wine market continues to see great demand from around the world, and we are pleased to bring the best collections to market."

HDH emphasized its position as the leading wine auction house in the U.S. Additionally, the firm achieved the industry’s highest sell-through rate – not one of the 19,117 lots offered this year were passed. The company brought internet auctions to the next level with ground breaking mobile auctions powered by their industry-best online and mobile bidding platform. By offering impeccably sourced wines, reaching global bidders, and providing the best service in the industry, HDH has once again achieved market-leading results.

The auction house will kick-off 2020 with an exceptional Mobile-Only Auction of Finest & Rarest Wines on January 23 & 24 followed by their first live auction of the year on February 21 & 22. HDH is accepting consignments for the February sale until January 15; contact their team at consignments@hdhwine.com for a complimentary appraisal today.

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

Lot 394: 2009 Richebourg, Domaine Leroy (12 bs) (est. $45,000-65,000) $65,725
Lot 754: 2011 Musigny, Domaine Leroy (3 bs) (est. $24,000-35,000) $57,360
Lot 391: 1991 Musigny, Domaine Leroy (6 bs) (est. $40,000-60,000) $57,360
Lot 453: 2016 Romanée-Conti, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (3 bs) (est. $42,000-65,000) $53,775
Lot 395: 2009 Romanée-St-Vivant, Domaine Leroy (12 bs) (est. $38,000-55,000) $50,190
Lot 410: 2000 Romanée-Conti, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (3 bs) (est. $30,000-45,000) $45,410
Lot 447: 2000 Corton-Charlemagne, Coche-Dury (9 bs) (est. $26,000-38,000) $33,460
Lot 1665: 2001 Chambertin, Domaine Leroy (4 bs) (est. $15000-22,000) $28,680
Lot 443: 1996 Corton-Charlemagne, Coche-Dury (6 bs) (est. $22,000-32,000) $28,680
Lot 454: 2016 La Tâche, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (6 bs) (est. $22,000-32,000) $28,680
Lot 1536: 2015 La Tâche, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (6 bs) (est. $22,000-32,000) $28,680

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

Lot 754: 2011 Musigny, Domaine Leroy (3 bs) (est. $24,000-35,000) $57,360
Lot 1653: 1988 Chambertin, Domaine Leroy (3 bs) (est. $6,500-9,500) $17,925
Lot 1665: 2001 Chambertin, Domaine Leroy (4 bs) (est. $15,000-22,000) $28,680
Lot 1655: 1988 Nuits-St-Georges, Boudots, Domaine Leroy (12 bs) (est. $5,000-7,500) $13,145
Lot 1654: 1988 Musigny, Domaine Leroy (3 bs) (est. $15,000-22,000) $26,290
Lot 1767: 2014 Montrachet, Domaine Ramonet (3 mags) (est. $9,500-14,000) $17,925
Lot 1522: 2005 Château Cheval Blanc (1 mel (18L)) (est. $14,000-20,000) $23,900
Lot 1731: 2012 Chambertin, Clos de Bèze, Armand Rousseau (12 bs) (est. $12,000-18,000) $21,510
Lot 1812: 1760 Terrantez Madeira, Borges (1 b) (est. $7,500-11,000) $14,340
Lot 1813: 1760 Terrantez Madeira, Borges (1 b) (est. $7,500-11,000) $14,340
Lot 1736: 2009 Riesling Abts.er.de Grosses Gewächs, Weingut Keller (12 bs) (est. $900-1,400) $4,182

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.