Insider Picks for 2020 Fall Wine Auctions
Bidders at a live auction. All auctions this season are online.
As some of you know, we have auctioned our fair share of wine over the years. This fall, Ranger Wine has done a deep dive into four upcoming auction sales in Canada and globally, bringing you an insider take at the lots to watch and best values coming to the block.
We start with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s Fine Wine Auction, November 17-24, online for the first time through Iron Gate Auctions, the second major charitable auction conducted under new guidelines established by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario in response to COVID-19. Celebrating its 30th year, TSO sales consistently offer an interesting opportunity to acquire well cellared lots from private collections in Ontario. This auction is shaping up to be a monster, with 500 lots on offer. Irongate has opted to decrease the size of the lots, so expect less case offerings and more single as well as two or three bottle lots. The strategy here is to make bidding more accessible to a wider buyer demographic and from where we sit seems like a good one. Irongate’s proprietary auction software offers an array of tools like detailed search features to help navigate this large offering. Of note, collectors will find much more lovely, ready to drink Burgundy scattered throughout the auction than is usually seen at the TSO. Take a look at lots 205-207 for some heavy hitting DRC. Lots 226 through 231 feature a tempting offering of Premier Cru wine from Marchand Tawse. Port is available in abundance (lots 351-399). It was also nice to see California favourite Dunn Vineyards in ready to drink vintages (lots 421-434). Other highlights include some stunning Cote Rotie from Guigal and Jamet (lots 266-271). Lots 308 through 313 offer some nice mixed lots of Barolo and assorted gems from Piedmonte. For the ‘if I could have only one’ pick, take a look at the double magnum of 1994 Dominus in its’ original wood (lot 413). Collectors should note that as this a charitable auction, there are no taxes payable or buyer’s premiums.
You can view the catalogue here https://tsvc.ca/fine-wine-auction
For Burgundy lovers, Acker’s two-night sale in New York beginning November 19, titled The Holy Grail of Burgundy, is a blockbuster. Assembled by a single collector over the past 40 years, 700 lots are on the block and Acker CEO, John Kapon, no stranger to hyperbole, has not over sold the importance of this collection. The shear scope of the collection is magnificent, Domaine de la Romanée- Conti, Leroy, Rousseau, Liger-Belair, Roumier, all the legends are represented in abundance. There are 100 lots of DRC, in many formats and vintages (lots 186-285), including banded assortment cases. If I were to focus on any lots that may prove to be bargains, it would be the Premier Cru Comte Liger-Belair Nuit St. Georges (lots 157, 158) or the Vosne Romanée Premier Cru (lots 160-177). Or collectors may want to go fishing for the parcel lots (lots 643-650) at the back end of the auction. Expect few bargains in this white hot market, but nonetheless, a remarkable collection.
The catalogue can be found here https://www.ackerwines.com/the-holy-grail-of-burgundy/
I am a big fan of Hart Davis Hart in Chicago under the leadership of Michael Davis. Their November 21st offering features 1069 lots and will be held in Hong Kong where HDH has long had a presence. Expect more auctions from US and international houses to be held in Hong Kong as international consignors avoid the 25% tariffs on certain European wines imposed by the outgoing Trump administration. This is, once again, a stunning collection of wine. Multiple full case lots of virtually all the Premier and Grand Cru Bordeaux and Burgundy superstars are offered in abundance. 2010 Chateau Lafite Rothschild offered in multiple OWC lots (lots 253-262) stood out for offering excellent value. If you are a fan of the exquisite Masseto, look no further than lots 304-353 for an offering I personally have never seen. Other gems include a wonderful assortment case of 2013 Domaine Ponsot. Lots 1048-1069 at the tail end of the auction look like great value for any bargain hunters out there.
The catalogue can be found here https://auction.hdhwine.com/auctions/1-2PUL62/an-auction-of-finest-rarest-wines-nov-21
Waddington’s online Fine Wine Auction runs from November 23-December 1. The catalogue is now available for preview and clocks in at 571 lots. Use their Wine Search feature to look for your favourites, it makes it easier. Bidding has been intense at Waddington’s Fine Wine auctions recently, particularly on the last day of the sale, as it has been the only game in town for Canadian collectors. The auction features many more OWC lots than previously seen and starts out strong where the majority of good Burgundy will be found, although there are smatterings sprinkled in later in the auction.There is a nice run of Chateau D’Yquem (lots 99-107), followed by a choice selection of Chateau Lynch-Bages from some great vintages (lots 195-203). Sassicaia is found in abundance (lots 461-469 and lots 502-506). I was also happy to see so much Italian wine, Super Tuscans and Piedmonte very well represented throughout the auction. All in all a well presented and balanced auction. Happy bidding!
Information here at https://www.waddingtons.ca/auction/fine-wine-dec-01-2020/
Whether your goal is to fill the cellar or empty it, Ranger Wine provides a portfolio of services to collectors including advice on auction acquisition and disposition, both in Canada and globally. Get in touch and let us know how we can help.