Rare Rothschild Bordeaux Wines Fetch $11.16M at Zachys Auction
A Zachys auction of rare Bordeaux wines from the Rothschild cellar has fetched an impressive $11.16 million, nearly four times the estimated value. The sale, which featured a collection held by the late Jacqueline (de Rothschild) Piatigorsky, was hailed as a 'once-in-a-lifetime offering' by Charles Antin, Zachys' global head of wine auctions.
The auction, held in Hong Kong, offered 177 lots of Lafite wines, including 498 bottles and large formats, which sold for a total of $6.49 million. The top lot was a magnum of Château Lafite Rothschild's 1870 vintage, which set a new record auction price of $387,500. This wine, produced just two years after the Rothschild family acquired the estate, is regarded as one of the finest of its era.
Charles Antin, who has overseen record-breaking auctions of rare Bordeaux wines, described such sales as a pinnacle of his career. He highlighted the unmatched provenance and historic significance of the wines offered. Other notable lots included a three-bottle lot of Château Haut-Brion 1899 and a six-bottle lot of Château Giscours 1875, both selling for $106,250 each. Strong demand for 19th-century Bordeaux wines contributed to the high sales total. A double magnum of Lafite Rothschild 1878 sold for $312,500, and several magnums of the 1869 vintage were also auctioned.
Every lot in the auction found a buyer, reflecting the high demand and appreciation for these historic wines. The sale not only set new records but also provided a glimpse into the rich history and significance of the Rothschild family's influence on the world of wine.
