Last week, the historic town of Beaune in Burgundy, France, witnessed a record-breaking wine auction organized by Sotheby's.
The event, held at the Couvent des Cordeliers, featured an exclusive selection of Burgundy wines from the legendary winery of Taiwanese entrepreneur Pierre Chen.
The auction's total sales reached an impressive EUR 2 million, setting multiple world records and attracting bidders from around the globe.
Record-Breaking Lots
The highlight of the auction was a lot of six bottles of Chevalier Montrachet d'Auvenay 2009, which sold for EUR 106,250. Another standout was a set of 12 bottles of Domaine Armand Rousseau Chambertin Clos de Bèze 1990, fetching EUR 100,000—67% above the high estimate. Twelve bottles of La Tâche 1990, originally estimated at EUR 30,000-EUR 40,000, were sold for EUR 81,250.
The auction set eight new world records:
- Three bottles of DRC Échezeaux 2005 fetched EUR 10,000 per bottle, more than double the previous record.
- Three bottles of DRC Montrachet 2007 sold for over EUR 15,800 per bottle, 50% more than the previous record.
- A 2005 DRC La Tâche magnum set a new record by selling for EUR 35,000.
- Three bottles of DRC La Tâche 2014 sold for over EUR 9,100 per bottle.
- Twelve bottles of Rousseau Chambertin Clos de Bèze 1990 fetched EUR 8,300 per bottle.
- Twelve bottles of Rousseau Chambertin 2009 sold for over EUR 5,700 per bottle.
- Six bottles of Rousseau Gevrey Chambertin Clos St Jacques 2010 fetched EUR 3,900 per bottle.
- Three bottles of Domaine Leroy Chambertin 2011 sold for more than EUR 16,600 per bottle.
Global Participation
The auction saw robust participation, with bidders gathering at the Couvent des Cordeliers and buyers from 29 countries participating online. George Lacey, Head of Sotheby's Wine Division in Asia, emphasized the significance of the record prices achieved, attributing them to the exceptional quality of Pierre Chen's wines. Lacey highlighted the intense activity across all channels during the "Live In The Vines" auction, noting the packed room and enthusiastic in-person bidders.
The Epicurean's Atlas
Sotheby's aims to fetch a record USD 50 million by auctioning Pierre Chen's wine collection, described as "the largest, most important, and valuable wine collection ever to come to market." The collection, amassed over 40 years, includes approximately 25,000 wines. Highlights include two six-liter methuselahs of 1985 DRC La Tâche, a six-liter imperial of 1982 Petrus, and a magnum of 1961 Château Latour. The sale, known as "The Epicurean's Atlas," is divided into several auctions held in Hong Kong, Beaune, and New York.
On June 20, Chen's collection of fine and rare champagnes achieved total sales of EUR 1.35 million at Sotheby's in Paris. Notable sales included three magnums of Salon Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs 1990 for EUR 25,000 and a magnum of Dom Pérignon P3 1966 for EUR 23,750, more than double the previous world record. Sotheby's claimed three additional world records for Champagne at this auction.
About Pierre Chen
Pierre Chen, founder of Yageo Corporation, which produces electronic components for mobile phones, computers, and automobiles, is ranked 498 on the Forbes 2024 Billionaires List with an estimated fortune of USD 6.2 billion. His passion for wine has culminated in a collection that has captivated the global wine community, driving unprecedented interest and record-breaking sales at auction.
Source: Vinetur