Some of the world's rarest bottles of Champagne will go up for auction tomorrow, when Sotheby's holds the first auction dedicated exclusively to some of the most exquisite vintages ever produced.
These unique champagnes come from the winery of famous collector and billionaire businessman Pierre Chen.
Described as a “visionary” collector, Sotheby's has described the bottles as belonging to “the most esteemed collection in the world.”
The auction will be divided into two parts, beginning with “The Ultimate Champagnes” on June 20, which will be the first auction of its kind dedicated exclusively to Champagne.
Sotheby's wrote of the champagnes: “A treasure trove of the finest champagnes ever produced with a depth of stock unmatched on the market, the sale is particularly rich in the legendary vintages of the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. of which can be extremely difficult to find.
“Beyond big names like Krug, Dom Pérignon, Salon and Roederer, this sale reflects Mr. Chen's inquisitive and visionary approach to collecting.
“Long before Taittinger's Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs became a market favorite, Pierre Chen recognized its potential. His foresight is also evident in the remarkable depth of Bollinger's Vieilles Vignes Françaises, which span a wide range of vintages.”
The champagne auction will be followed on July 2 by the “Live in the Vines” wine event taking place at Couvent des Cordeliers in Beaune, a walled city in the wine-growing city of Burgundy.
The bottles sold in this action will also come from the billionaire's collection, which was gathered over four decades.
They could sell for up to $140,000 per lot.
This is not the first time bottles from the esteemed collection have hit the market, and in November last year, the first batch of wines from Chen's winery sold for a combined $16.8 million in one share two days at the Mandarin Oriental. In Hong Kong.
Interestingly, the most expensive item in the collection is a bottle of red wine from 1999, which will cost the buyer up to $26,000 per bottle ($52,000 for a batch of two).
Describing its vineyard, Sotheby's wrote: “Cros Parantoux is only 1.01 hectares, one of the smallest in the entire Côte d'Or, facing east, high on the slope rising from the western side of Vosne- Romanée. The altitude and east orientation make it a slightly cooler vineyard than others, but there is plenty of sun, which allows the grapes to ripen more slowly and retain the natural acidity that gives Cros Parantoux wines their great longevity.
“Although Henri Jayer began replanting Cros Parantoux in 1945, it was not until 1978 that he felt the vines were mature enough to bottle the wine under the Premier Cru name.”
The most expensive champagne is a 1966 Dom Pérignon, which comes from a “season marked by heat and dryness, which facilitated optimal ripening of the grapes.”
Its description reads: “This vintage offers a symphony of flavors, with ripe apples and pears blending harmoniously with bright citrus zest and subtle notes of toasted almonds. A delicate touch of honey adds depth to this luxurious palate, with a silky and creamy texture.”
The magnum, which is sold in a single lot, has an estimated value of between $8,000 and $11,000.
