One of the most prevalent regions in the world synonymous with producing exquisite wines is, of course, the Bordeaux region of France. Since 1766, Christie’s has been at the forefront of wine global auctions. Connoisseurs and collectors regard it as the premier location for purchasing the finest and rarest Bordeaux vintages. By the 19th century, its client list of buyers and sellers contained royalty, notable families, and prominent politicians and personalities. Nowadays, Christie’s is leading the way with greater and better auction sales at more locations than the competition.
Christie’s has been able to maintain its reputation over a span of 250 years by consistently auctioning tasteful wines even in years when weather conditions proved to be challenging for even the top châteaus in the region. In a column for Luxury Insider, international head of Christie’s Wine Department David Elswood wrote, “No other single property has done more to establish the global recognition of Bordeaux wines in general and the ultimate quality and reliability of the finest ‘first growths’ of the region [than Christie’s].”
There are many fine wine lovers in Asia thankful of Christie’s these days. Now that the city of Hong Kong is tax-free for wine, Christie’s has added another fine wine sales site to its already established London, Geneva, Amsterdam, Paris, and New York locations. While it was the first auction house to venture into Asia two decades ago with sales centers in Tokyo and Hong Kong, Christie’s relaunched its wine sales in Hong Kong in November 2008.
Christie’s sales in Asia have featured a selection of wines from the 1865 to 2005 period, which were all specifically removed from their famed properties and shipped to Hong Kong for this auction. Twelve bottles of Château Latour Vintage 1961 and 12 bottles of Château Latour Vintage 1959 doubled their pre-sales estimates when they sold to Asian private collectors for $170,280 and $116,000 USD, respectively. This sale set a world auction record for Château Latour Vintage 1961 and 1959.
