Date: Fri 29-Jan-1999

Publication: Ant

Author: DONNAM

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Wine-Sherry-Lehmann-Sotheby's

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Sherry-Lehmann Sotheby's Wine Sale

NEW YORK CITY -- Wine collectors packed Sotheby's saleroom January 23 to

compete for the finest and rarest wines at Sherry-Lehmann with Sotheby's. The

auction of nearly 1,300 lots brought a total of $2,857,393, above the pre-sale

high estimate of $2.6 million.

Highlighting the auction was the superlative cellar of an east coast gentleman

totaling $2,035,804. This exceptional collection was 100 percent sold with

many lots well in excess of estimates.

A magnificent collection of Bordeaux from fabled vintages proved extremely

desirable to today's bidders. Full cases of Chateau Petrus 1964 (lot 577; est

$7/10,000), 1982 (lot 591; $12/16,000) and 1990 (lot 604; $11/15,000)

commanded top prices bringing $10,925, $17,825 and $16,100 respectively, while

a case of Chateau Latour 1959 (lot 317; $5,5/7,500) surpassed its high

estimate to reach $9,200. Cases of 1982 (lots 329-330A; $4,5/6,000) brought

$8,050 each and a case of 1961 (lot 319; $10/15,000) soared to $24,150.

Chateau Mouton also performed well with cases of 1959 (lot 372; $8/12,000) and

1961 (lot 373; $6,5/8,500) achieving $18,975 and $12,075 respectively. Large

format bottles did well with six magnums of the legendary Chateau Lafite 1982

(lot 254; $3,5/4,500) reaching $4,887 and jeroboams (lots 260-263; $2/2,400

each) selling for $2,530 apiece.

Burgundy included a full case of Romanee-Conti 1985 (lot 212; $30/40,000) for

$43,125. White Burgundy also sold well with a case of Montrachet 1982 (lot

839; $6,5/8,500) reaching $9,775 and a case of 1985 (lot 864; $2,4/3,000) for

$4,312.

Other highlights included a marvelous collection of Sauternes spanning 1870 to

1990. Twenty-six vintages of Chateau d'Yquem were offered with a bottle from

1870 (lot 761; $1,6/2,000) bringing $2,300 and cases of 1983 (lots 778-781;

est $2,2/2,800) selling for $3,220 each.

Italian wines included six magnums of Barbaresco Sori Tildin 1990 (lot 904;

est $2,2/2,800) from Angelo Gaja achieving $3,335 and a case of Sassicaia 1985

(lot 930; $5/7,000) for $8,912.

Interest in small boutique California wineries continued to produce strong

prices. A case of Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 1992 (lot 154;

$1,3/1,700) went for $3,220 and three bottles of Bryant Family Cabernet

Sauvignon 1995 (lot 1112; $700/1,000) sold for $1,725.

Selections of champagne also did well with six magnums of Dom Perignon Rose

1985 (lot 884; est $1,5/2,000) selling for $2,990 and a case of Krug 1982 (lot

888; est $1,4/1,800) reaching $2,875. Among the Ports offered, a case of

Taylor 1945 (lot 962; est $5/7,000) achieved $7,475 and a case of 1948 (lot

964; est $3/4,000) sold for $4,887.

Sotheby's International Wine Sales continue in London on February 17, Chicago

on March 6, and again in New York with Sherry-Lehmann on March 27.