Château Mouton Rothschild’s first-ever Ex-Château wine auction in Asia brought in a record HK$32 million (US$4.1 million) at Sotheby’s Hong Kong on January 30th.
The sale achieved a 100% sell-through rate, with 93% of the lots sold above their high estimates, realizing a 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.
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Leading the sale was 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 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 ex-Château 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.
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.”
