Henri Jayer Burgundy wine from the legend's cellar goes down well in Asian auction

Christie's auction of Henri Jayer Burgundy wine from his cellar caused a bidding frenzy in Hong Kong

Henri Jayer is a simply legendary figure in the history of Burgundian wine-making. Born suitably enough in the Vosne-Romanée, Jayer took a degree in oenology from the University of Dijon and then set about making a name for himself amongst the grapes.

Now regarded as a byword for high quality, the offerings from Christie's Finest and Rarest Wines: From the Private Cellar of Henri Jayer, was always likely to impress, and impress it has.

Held out in Hong Kong, the event was a white glove auction - that is it was 100% sold for an overall total of HK$66m (US$8.5m) across just 102 lots.

Every single one of the Top 10 lots was bought by an Asian private bidder, reminding us that the market has matured from a time when only Bordeaux wines led by Chateau Lafite drew really exceptional prices.

The top three lots, all of which at least doubled their top estimates, were as follows:

12 bottles of Vosne-Romanée Premier Cru (Cros Parantoux) —Vintage 1985 were listed at HK$800,000 - 1,000,000 but sold for HK$ 2,057,000.

12 bottles of Vosne-Romanée Premier Cru (Cros Parantoux) —Vintage 1989 were listed at HK$ 380,000 - 480,000, but brought an astonishing HK$ 1,815,000.

Last of the three was a case of 12 bottles of Richebourg Grand Cru—Vintage 1979, which brought an excellent HK$ 1,815,000.

 "Tonight's sale demonstrated the enduring passion of our Asian clients for the wines of Burgundy." commented Head of Wine for Christie's Asia, Charles Curtis,

"With 17 lots over HK$1m and an average lot value of HK$647,350, this once-in-a-lifetime sale gets a high bar indeed and confirms once again the dominance of Hong Kong in the market for fine and rare wine."

Recent and related articles

· Sotheby's Bordeaux fine wine auction 'puts vintages to the test' in London | 9 January 2012

· Fine wine collectors turn to rare 'Bordeaux Second Growths' and Burgundy | 28 December 2011

· Our Top Five Fine Wine sales from late 2011 - DRC, Lafite, Champagne and more | 21 December 2011

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