Hong Kong, SAR – November 5th 2018 – “The greatest Port I’ve ever tasted,” exclaimed fifth generation Managing Director Dirk van der Niepoort, who was in attendance when this remarkable Port from a bygone era, the 1863 Niepoort in a magnificent Lalique decanter, became the most expensive Port ever sold at auction, selling for $128,000. Bidding was fierce from its opening bid, as the 1863 sold for over six times its presale estimate, electrifying an already excited crowd during a day in which Acker Merrall sold $6.8Million of the world’s greatest wines. This was also an auction whose penultimate feature, the world-class “Everest Collection,” stood out above the rest thanks to an amazing compilation of the best of the very best from a man who has summited Everest himself.
Not only was the incredible 1863 Niepoort a New World Record for the most expensive Port ever sold at auction, it was also the day’s Top Lot, shattering the previous World Record by a staggering $100,000! It was followed in the Top Ten lots by a wine already beloved amongst collectors, a three-bottle banded OWC of the 2015 DRC Romanee Conti, which was purchased for $76,800, as were six bottles of the great 1995 Domaine Georges Roumier Musigny. During an auction in which the “Everest Collection” offered collectors a rare opportunity to own a wide range of vintages of Roumier’s rarest wine, next up was a ten-bottle lot of 1998 Roumier Musigny that sold for $70,400. Banded OWCs of 2006 and 2008 DRC Romanee Conti were both bought for $51,200. Completing the Top 10 Lots were respectively a case of 1989 Petrus in OWC, additional three bottle lots of 2006 Romanee Conti and twelve bottle lots of 1989 Petrus, plus a six-bottle lot of 1991 Roumier Musigny, all of which were bought for $48,000.
Notable lots from Saturday’s Hong Kong auction at Acker Merrall & Condit: Lot 612N: the most expensive port ever sold, 1863 Niepoort in a rare Lalique decanter & Lots 286, a 3-bottle banded OWC of 2015 DRC Romanee Conti, and Lot 333, 6 bottles 1995 G. Roumier Musigny, both from the incredible “Everest Collection”
“It is a thrill to stand on the podium when incredible wines set remarkable World Records. Nearly a million Hong Kong dollars for a single bottle of the 1863 Niepoort is a testament to the longevity of these great wines and the family that has led this house for five generations. To have Dirk van der Niepoort present during the auction made it even more extraordinary, and one I am sure subsequent generations of his family and Port lovers around the world will talk about for decades,” said Acker Merrall and Condit Companies Chairman John Kapon. “And speaking of excitement, let’s not forget the “Everest” segment of the auction, which saw 25% of its lots set World Records as well. It was a heck of a one two punch, but we are still swinging here in 2018, as in just two weeks is the always memorable, frequently raucous ‘Birthday Auction,’ a celebration most deserving of two sessions on November 16th and November 17th. I’m turning forty-seven, and as part of the festivities we will host one of the greatest auctions anywhere any year and open some very serious bottles. But this auction isn’t all about me! The featured consignments exceed the Birthday celebration itself. New York here we come!”
Acker Merrall & Condit’s next auctions will be held in New York City on Saturday, November 16-17th, 2018 and in Hong Kong on December 8th, 2018. Download the November 17th 2018 NYC auction catalog and procure information about consigning with Acker Merrall & Condit at www.ackerwines.com.
