A collection of Chateauneuf-du-Pape features a 1995 Magnum, seven bottles of 1995 vintage and one 1999 vintage, all Chateau Beaucastel, estimate $600-800.
Signature Cellars, Christie’s on-line only auction of fine and rare vintage wines, runs from August 6 to August 20. There are hard to source Californian wines from Harlan Estate and Screaming Eagle as well as ’82 Lafite and Labour, pre and post war vintages and magnums of champagne.
The sale features vintage port and Bandol wines from the legendary Domaine Tempier. A mix of collectible blue chip wines and approachably priced selections it represents much time invested in client relationships by Christie’s North American specialists.
This is the first in a series of planned on-line only auctions that will run in parallel to traditional sales room activity. The sale marks the next major step in e commerce activity at Christie’s.
In the first half of 2012 growth in on-line activity at Christie’s rose by 20 per cent and there has been a 15 per cent increase in customers bidding via Christe’s Live.
UPDATE: The sale, which has ended, brought in $819,715. The top lot was a case of 1982 Chateau Lafite which made $42,350 including buyer’s premium. There were 444 registered bidders from 29 countries and 88% of the 301 lots were sold.