Château Mouton Rothschild’s, first-ever wine auction in Asia achieves HK$32 million / US$4.1 million at Sotheby’s Hong Kong on January 30th

More than double pre-sale estimate – 100% sold – 93% of lots sold above high estimate

Top lot 
A rare 66-Bottle vertical (1945 – 2012) sold online for HK$2.94 million / US$376,900 close to three times low estimate.

Château Mouton Rothschild’s first-ever wine auction in Asia – Château Mouton Rothschild : concluded this evening at Sotheby’s Hong Kong Gallery. Following rounds of intense bidding in the room, on the phone and online, the sale achieved a 100% sell-through rate, with 93% of the lots sold above their high estimates, realising a remarkable total of HK$32 million / US$4.1 million (Est. HK$13 – 20 million / US$1.6 – 2.5 million*), more than doubling the pre-sale estimate.

Leading the sale is a rare 66-bottle vertical spanning 68 vintages from 1945 to 2012 (excluding the 1958 and 1963) which sold for HK$2.94 million / US$376,900. The vintage of 2000 performed extremely well: A nebuchadnezzar (15-litre bottle) of this remarkable vintage was sold for close to HK$1 million, more than double its low estimate, while another lot that celebrates the New Millennium with 6 bottles, 6 magnums, a jeroboam, an imperial and a nebuchadnezzar also achieved an impressive price of HK$1.72 million / US$219,900, more than double its low estimate.

This is the first time the Bordeaux First Growth presented an wine auction in Asia, which serves as a tribute to the enthusiasm of Mouton lovers in the region. The Château considers this a perfect timing, for the sale took place right before the start of the New Lunar Year of the Ram – the emblem of the Château. The burgeoning demand of increasingly sophisticated connoisseurs in the region, whose number has been rapidly growing in Asia in recent years, is another reason.

The auction is also significant as a commemoration of the life of the late Baroness Philippine de Rothschild (1933 – 2014), who had devoted much of her time, her energy and her life to the glory of Château Mouton Rothschild. A large part of the sale proceeds will benefit The Baroness Philippine de Rothschild Foundation for the Arts – a non-profit operation recently set up by the Baroness’ three children – Camille Sereys de Rothschild, Philippe Sereys de Rothschild and Julien de Beaumarchais de Rothschild – in memory of their mother. The Foundation will encourage and defend the creative impulse, in theatre, film and other performing arts, which were the Baroness’ professional and personal commitments for many years.

Commenting on Mouton Rothschild’s first-ever wine sale in Asia, Philippe Sereys de Rothschild, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, present in Hong Kong with his sister and his brother, as well as Jean-Pierre de Beaumarchais, Baroness Philippine de Rothschild’s husband, stated: “We were especially thrilled with the result of this sale that exceeded our expectations. It is clearly the wine professionals’ and collectors’ recognition of our mother’s lifelong involvement in ensuring the quality and enhancing the reputation of Château Mouton Rothschild throughout the world. Thus, we look forward to the years to come with great enthusiasm.

Serena Sutcliffe, Master of Wine (MW), International Head of Sotheby’s Wine, adds, “It was an honour to bring this unique auction to Asia and these extraordinary wines took flight over the five hours of the sale. It was a tribute to Baroness Philippine and the legacy she left at Mouton, which is now in the hands of her children who will take it into the future. We were proud to see some of the greatest Bordeaux ever made go to Asia’s most discerning connoisseurs who will enjoy and treasure these fabulous bottles – and nebuchadnezzars!

Commenting on the sale result, Jamie Ritchie, CEO & President of Sotheby’s Wine, Americas & Asia, says, “The record prices achieved in this auction showed Asian collectors’ great appreciation of Mouton Rothschild and the perfect direct-from-the-property provenance. With 93% of the lots selling above the high estimates and a sale total of HK$32 million / US$4.1 million, 2.5 times above the low estimate, this exceeded our highest expectations and shows the strength of the market for wines with perfect provenance presented in Sotheby’s single-owner sale format.

 

Numerous auction records were set, including : 

World record for a Château Mouton Rothschild vertical at auction  :

– A 66-bottle vertical spanning 68 Château Mouton Rothschild vintages from 1945 to 2012 (excluding the 1958 and 1963) (HK$ 2,94 million / US$ 376,900)

World record for this wine at this format at auction :

– Château Mouton Rothschild 2000, 1 nabuchadnezzar (HK$ 918,750 / US$ 117,788)

– Château Mouton Rothschild 1945, 1 magnum (HK$ 857,500 / US$ 109,936)

– Château Mouton Rothschild 1945, 2 bottles (HK$ 735,000 / US$ 94,231)

– Château Mouton Rothschild 1982, 6 magnums (HK$ 441,000 / US$ 56,538)

– Château Mouton Rothschild 1870, 1 bottle (HK$ 392,000 / US$ 50,256)

– Château Mouton Rothschild 1959, 3 bottles (HK$ 367,500 / US$ 47,115)

– Château Mouton Rothschild 1961, 3 bottles (HK$ 196,000 / US$ 25,284)

 

*Estimates do not include buyer’s premium and prices achieved include the hammer price plus buyer’s premium.

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