Cannes may be synonymous with cinema’s red carpets, but this week, it is rare vintages and exceptional spirits that are stealing the spotlight.
The "Grands Vins & Alcools" auction, hosted by Besch Cannes Auction at the legendary Hotel Martinez, brings together 1,550 lots from some of the world’s most prestigious private cellars, with bidding available both in person and online via Drouot.com and Interencheres.com.
The Star of the Show: Domaine de la Romanée-Conti
Headlining the event is a breathtaking selection from the iconic Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (DRC)—a name that resonates like few others in the fine wine world. Six assorted cases from vintages 2000, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010 are on offer, including Echezeaux, Grands Echezeaux, Richebourg, La Tâche, and the legendary Romanée-Conti itself. Each lot is estimated between EUR 18,000 and EUR 56,000, representing the pinnacle of collectability and prestige.
Acquiring DRC directly from the domaine is notoriously difficult—entry to its allocation list can take years. These bottles, sourced from private collections, present a rare opportunity for seasoned collectors to secure a piece of wine history.
A Treasure Trove of World Icons
Beyond Burgundy’s crown jewel, the auction features:
- Corton-Charlemagne Coche-Dury 2010 – starting at EUR 4,000
- Case of 12 Bordeaux Primeurs 2004 – EUR 7,000
- 3 bottles of Petrus 2010 – EUR 7,500
- 12 bottles of Château Latour 1996 – EUR 5,000
- Rare Chartreuse Tarragone du Siècle – EUR 7,000
- 6 bottles Champagne Salon 2007 – EUR 4,000
- Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky Macallan Glenlivet 1950 – EUR 4,500
Italian Prestige in Focus
Italian wine lovers will find a wealth of treasures:
- 6 bottles Barolo Sperss 2015 by Gaja – EUR 1,080–1,260
- 6 bottles Barolo 2013 by Bartolo Mascarello – EUR 1,000–1,200
- 4 bottles Sassicaia 2016 – EUR 1,000–1,200
The range spans Tignanello, Solaia, Ornellaia, and Biondi-Santi’s Brunello di Montalcino, to the artisanal Amarone della Valpolicella of Giuseppe Quintarelli and Romano Dal Forno, and even the Passito di Pantelleria crafted by actress Carole Bouquet.
A Global Panorama of Excellence
The catalogue reads like a map of the world’s greatest wine regions:
- Bordeaux: Château d’Yquem, Haut-Brion, Mouton Rothschild, Cheval Blanc, Lafite Rothschild, Latour, Margaux, Angélus
- Burgundy: Joseph Drouhin, Louis Latour, Leflaive, Louis Jadot, Coche-Dury, Ramonet, Georges Roumier
- Champagne: Louis Roederer, Dom Pérignon, Veuve Clicquot, Bollinger, Ruinart, Jacques Selosse
- Beyond France: Sonoma, Porto, Ribera del Duero, Bolgheri, Langhe, Montalcino, Valpolicella, Sicily
A Collector’s Dream
With expert Pascal Kuzniewski curating the sale, this auction is not just about buying bottles—it’s about acquiring liquid history, rarity, and prestige. For collectors and investors alike, the event represents a moment when the glamour of Cannes meets the exclusivity of the world’s finest cellars.
Source: WineNews