HONG KONG.- Acker Merrall & Condit, the world’s leading wine auctioneer and America’s oldest fine wine merchant, held its May Hong Kong sale on May 25th & 26th 2012 and achieved an impressive total of HK$70+Million/US$9+Million and was 95% sold. Over 1,000 lots world-class fine wines on offer generated immense interest from collectors all over the world.

ORIGINAL CHATEAU LATOUR WINES FROM A NOBLE FRENCH FAMILY
The original Chateau Latour bottles came directly from one of the former owners of this historic property and were lying in their ancient cellars in France until this sale. They created enormous interest in the market and an absolute sensation in the salesroom. A stunning array of some of the rarest bottles of Chateau Latour in the world was offered, starting with the legendary 1905 vintage all the way up to 1985, with the collection achieving over double the high estimate and HK$14,244,695/US$1,826,243. All bottles came from a completely original and untouched cellar of Chateau Latour wines, left to mature in their completely original state with the original corks, capsules, labels and cases. This kind of condition does not even exist in the cellars of Chateau Latour itself.

Rarities from this prestigious collection included a case of 1945 Latour which sold for HK$934,800/US$119,846 (Lot 628), nearly three times the pre-sale high estimate. Two other cases of 1945 realized HK$787,200/US$100,923 each (Lot 629-630) and a case of 1961 sold for HK$836,400/US$107,231 (Lot 665), also three times its high estimate. A parcel of 3 cases of 1949 Latour fetched strong prices, with one case selling for HK$467,400/US$59,923 (Lot 639), more than doubling the high estimate. Two parcel cases of the 1959 vintage sold for HK$442,800/US$56,769 each (Lot 662-663), doubling the high estimate.

John Kapon, CEO of Acker Merrall & Condit Companies, commented after the sale: “This sale proved that Hong Kong’s appetite is still voracious when it comes the world’s most exceptional collections. The sensational offering of original and very rare Chateau Latour treasures spanning nearly a century witnessed an incredible bidding fervor, as did the direct consignments from Comte Liger-Belair and Chateau de La Tour in Clos Vougeot. While Burgundy dominated the top selling lots thanks to Domaine de la Romanee Conti and Henri Jayer, this once-in-a-lifetime consignment of Chateau Latour stole the spotlight, as bidders recognized the impeccable provenance of this offering. We were also quite pleased to exceed the combined results of the other two major wine auctions this weekend. Asia knows that when it comes to the world’s finest collections, A is for Acker.”

CHATEAU DE LA TOUR & COMTE LIGER-BELAIR
Wines from Chateau de la Tour and Liger-Belair also attracted significantly strong bidding, as buyers responded to not only the personal presence of owners Francois Labet and Louis-Michel Liger-Belair, but also events showcasing numerous vintages of their incredible wines. Notable lots from Chateau de la Tour included six bottles of rarest 1945 (only 125 cases produced in total) achieving HK$78,720/US$10,092 (Lot 278), nearly double the high estimate, and 12 magnums of Clos Vougeot 1979 and 1985 in original wooden cases realizing HK$157,440/US$20,185 (Lot 281), nearly four times the pre-sale high estimate. Highlights from Liger-Belair included a unique 12-bottle case of 2009 La Romanee in original wooden case which sold for HK$246,000/US$31,538 (Lot 292), and six bottles of 2002 La Romanee setting a new world record at HK$108,240 /US$13,877 (Lot 239).

OTHER TOP LOTS
Lots of significant vintages of Romanee Conti commanded strong prices, highlighted by an original wooden case of 1990 (HK$1,476,000/US$189,231, Lot 276) which was the top-selling Burgundy lot of the sale. Other marvels included a case of 1988 (HK$885,600/US$113,538, Lot 275), a case of 2004 (HK$885,600/US$113,538, Lot 729), a case of 1993 (HK$885,600/US$113,538, Lot 277) and 6 bottles of 2001 (HK$467,400/US$59,923, Lot 728). Notable offerings also included cases of 1999 H. Jayer Cros Parantoux (HK$541,200/US$69,385, Lot 260) and 12 bottles of 1990 La Tache (HK$467,400/US$59,923, Lot 335).

An exceptional array of Bordeaux was offered and achieved excellent results. The star lot – the top-selling Bordeaux of the sale – was a rare original wooden case of 1947 Cheval Blanc which fetched HK$1,476,000/US$189,231 (Lot 701). Another highlight was 12 bottles of 2005 Petrus that sold for HK$442,800/US$56,769 (Lot 722).

Acker Merrall will conduct two live auctions in America in June, in Chicago on the 9th and in the Hamptons on the 23rd. Its next Hong Kong auction will be September 21st-22nd at the Grand Hyatt.