Epic US auction features legendary wines

A large single-owner collection spanning vaunted wine world creations has been sold in the US, amid a busy auction scene.

- COMPILED BY CHRIS MERCER

US auction house Hart Davis Hart offered the Bowen Collection in early November, describing it as one of the greatest cellars its team has encountered. Legendary wines were part of the sale. Highlights included six magnums of Napa Valley's Heitz Cellar, Martha's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 1974, which sold for an aggregate price of $77,675, including buyer’s premium (hammer price $65,000; high estimate $55,000).

From Bordeaux, six magnums of Haut-Brion 1989 sold for $47,800 (hammer $40,000; high e $32,000); six bottles of Lafite Rothschild 1959 sold for $33,460 (hammer $28,000; high e $26,000); one jeroboam (five litres) of Pichon Comtesse 1982 sold for $10,755 (hammer $9,000; high e $7,500); and a magnum of Mouton Rothschild 1945 sold for $38,240 (hammer and high e $32,000).

Merchant Berry Bros & Rudd, meanwhile, auctioned Pomerol stars from Bordeaux’s Right Bank in late October. It reported hammer prices, excluding a 20% buyer's premium, and highlights included six bottles of Le Pin 2000, which fetched £18,200 (high e £18,000), plus 12 bottles of Lafleur 1982, which fetched £45,000 (high e £40,000).