PRESS RELEASE | HONG KONG | 3 MARCH 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

A VINOUS JOURNEY AROUND THE WORLD

CHRISTIE’S PRESENTS FINE AND RARE WINES FROM

AN ESTEEMED CONNOISSEUR’S PRIVATE COLLECTION IN MARCH

│ Session 1, 17:30, March 21, Lot 1 – 326 │

│ Session 2, 11:30, March 22, Lot 327 – 974 │

│ Venue:  James Christie Room, 22^nd Floor, Alexandra House, 18 Chater Road, Central, Hong Kong │

Hong Kong – Christie’s Hong Kong is pleased to announce the two-day wine auction from 21 to 22 March 2014. Comprising over 970 lots from one major private collection, the sale offers the top quality wines from the world’s finest vineyards which range from Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhône and Champagne, to Italy, Spain, California and more. Three mixed lots of wines with an oriental theme will also be offered for the first time ever in a Christie’s wine auction.

WORLDWIDE VINOUS JOURNEY

As wine lovers continue to mature in their tastes and diversify their collections beyond blue-chip Bordeaux and Burgundy, the sale offers a variety of wines from the up-and-coming wine regions, demonstrating a worldwide vinous journey. This private collection aims to celebrate the unsung heroes around the world, amongst which L’ Ermita from Spanish winery Alvaro Palacios will be featured. Born into a Rioja winemaking family, Alvaro Palacios honed his skills at Pétrus before returning to his homeland. He subsequently introduced the monumental Garnacha-based blend, L’Ermita, after the acquisition of his first single vineyard, Finca Dofí. 24 bottles of L’ Ermita 1994 will be offered for sale. Other highlights include lots from Italian wine producers Giacomo Conterno, Angelo Gaja, Bruno Giacosa and Luciano Sandrone;  and a Bond magnum assortment and Araujo Eisele Vineyard double-magnums from California (Please refer to the auction highlights below for more information).

SPECIALIST SELECTIONS WITH AN ORIENTAL THEME

The specialist selections themed “Dragon”, “Phoenix” and “Qilin” represent three different levels of wine “instant cellars”. While “Dragon”, a symbol of power, strength, and good luck, features the rarest wines of the best vintages and finest producers and “Phoenix”, symbolizing grace and prosperity, brings drinking pleasure with a combination of wines of perfect provenance and ready-to-drink wines; a mega lot of mature wines for various occasions will be highlighted in “Qilin”, a symbol of good omens, success, and longevity, with a more accessible price point. This will be the first time ever to offer mixed lots with this particular theme in a Christie’s wine auction.

PROMINENT FRENCH VINEYARDS

The sale is also highlighted by the top quality wines from the flagship French vineyards. Consistently the most sought after among connoisseurs, three jeroboams of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, La Tâche 1985, and 12 bottles of Château Palmer 1989 will be offered in the auction amongst an array of outstanding Bordeaux Châteaux, Burgundy and Rhône Domaines, and Champagne Houses.

PERFECT PAIRING

With the robust growth in Asian wine collectors, Christie's pushes this Eastern concept forward by continuing with the “Perfect Pairing” food and wine notes. Christie’s digs into the Asian cooking philosophy and pairs fine wines with home cooking recipes. Highlights include Teochew Beef Balls with Château La Mission Haut-Brion 1959 and Dezhou Braised Chicken with E. Guigal, Côte Rôtie La Turque 1990. 

PRESS CONTACT: Simone Woo | Hong Kong | +852 2978 9966 | swoo@christies.com