A rare bottle of 123-year-old Château Latour and a super lot of Château Mouton Rothschild 1945 will go under hammer as part of Christie’s upcoming wine sale featuring the cellar of renowned Norwegian collector Christen Sveaas in Hong Kong.
Comprising over 350 lots with an estimated total value exceeding HK$20 million (US$2.5 million), the “Grands Crus Part III: Finest and Rarest Wines from the Cellar of Christen Sveaas” scheduled on March 24 will provide an exceptional opportunity for connoisseurs to acquire prestigious and historic wines from the famed collection of entrepreneur, art collector, investor and donator, Christen Sveaas.
One of the star lots is a 123-year-old Château Latour with an estimate price of HK$50,000-HK$70,000. The ultra rare bottle is expected to usher in a fierce bidding war among collectors. The only recent example of the bottle that has come to the market was three years ago when it was sold by Christie’s in London for GBP 23,275 (about HK$220,000).
Similarly exciting for collectors is a lot featuring eight bottles of Château Mouton Rothschild 1945, which is expected to fetch up to HK$850,000.
According to Adam Bilbey, Global Head of Wine and Spirits at Christie’s, the collection was assembled by Sveaas over 35 years and focused on Bordeaux with historic and renowned vintages from the very finest producers.
Lafite Rothschild, Latour, Margaux, Mouton Rothschild, La Mission Haut Brion, Palmer and Pétrus are among some of the most prestigious Bordeaux names on offer, including with iconic vintages such as 1928, 1945 and 1961 represented.
In addition, there will be offerings of Château d’Yquem from 1858 to 1962, as well as other well-aged Sauternes from the 1920s to the 1950s. Highlights from Burgundy include DRC Romanée-Conti from the 1950s to the 2010s, alongside a large selection of outstanding white Burgundy from DRC Montrachet, Leflaive and Coche Dury, amongst others. Legendary Jaboulet Hermitage La Chapelle from 1961 will also be a significant feature.
Speaking of the collection, Bilbey, comments, “This is a truly breath-taking selection of wines from one of the world’s great wine cellars. This sensational collection has been fervently assembled by Mr Sveaas for more than thirty-five years. Focused on Bordeaux with historic and renowned vintages from the very finest producers, the sale will undoubtedly incite tremendous excitement amongst wine connoisseurs in Asia and beyond. We are extremely honoured that Mr Sveaas has entrusted us with this prestigious sale in Hong Kong, which continues our track record of presenting the most important single-owner wine collections to the market.”
Christen Sveaas remarked, “I am saying farewell to part of my treasured wine collection, much of which was acquired 20-30 years ago. While this moment is bittersweet, what gives me comfort is the tremendous experience these rare bottles will give to others, an experience I have had numerous times myself. I am also glad to share this part of my cellar with collectors in Asia, where there is such an appreciation and appetite for fine wine.”
Here are five superlative lots not to miss from the upcoming “Grands Crus Part III: Finest and Rarest Wines from the Cellar of Christen Sveaas” on March 24.
Château Latour 1900 & 1928
One bottle per lot
Estimate: HK$50-75,000
Château Latour 1928
3 bottles per lot
Estimate: HK$70,000 – 110,000
Château Mouton Rothschild 1945
Eight bottles per lot
Estimate: HK$550,000 – 850,000
Château Mouton Rothschild 1945
One magnum per lot
Estimate: HK$160,000 – 240,000
Château Cheval Blanc 1921
Six bottles per lot
Estimate: HK$480,000 – 700,000
Château Lafite Rothschild 1961
12 bottles per lot
Estimate: HK$130,000 – 200,000
Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Richebourg 1969
Four magnums per lot
Estimate: HK$160,000 – 240,000
