In a remarkable event illustrating the fervor for fine wine, a Sotheby's auction in Beaune, France, dedicated exclusively to Burgundy wines from Taiwanese entrepreneur Pierre Chen's legendary cellar, shattered previous records and set new benchmarks in the wine investment world

The Event and Its Highlights

Hosted at the historic Couvent des Cordeliers, the auction drew bidders from 29 countries, both in-person and online. The spotlight was on the exceptional lots and their astonishing final prices.

Record-Breaking Sales

Chevalier Montrachet d’Auvenay 2009: Six bottles fetched a staggering €106,250, emphasizing the wine's elite status.

Domaine Armand Rousseau Chambertin Clos de Bèze 1990: Twelve bottles sold for €100,000, exceeding expectations by a notable 67%.

La Tâche 1990: Originally estimated at €30,000 to €40,000, twelve bottles soared to €81,250.

World Records Set

The auction didn't just meet expectations; it exceeded them, setting eight new world records:

1. 2005 DRC Échezeaux: Three bottles achieved €10,000 per bottle, doubling the previous record.
2. 2007 DRC Montrachet: Sold for over €15,800 per bottle, a 50% increase over the prior maximum.
3. 2005 DRC La Tâche (Magnum): Reached €35,000, setting a new high.
4. 2014 DRC La Tâche: Three bottles went for over €9,100 each.
5. 1990 Rousseau Chambertin Clos de Bèze: Twelve bottles sold at €8,300 each.
6. 2009 Rousseau Chambertin: Twelve bottles fetched more than €5,700 each.
7. 2010 Rousseau Gevrey Chambertin Clos St Jacques: Six bottles garnered €3,900 per bottle.
8. 2011 Domaine Leroy Chambertin: Three bottles reached over €16,600 each.

Pierre Chen’s Mythical Wine Collection

Sotheby’s described Chen's collection as the most significant ever to hit the market, composed of approximately 25,000 wines acquired over 40 years. The collection’s value and scale are unparalleled, with highlights such as:

1. Two six-litre methuselahs of DRC La Tâche 1985.
2. A six-litre imperial of Petrus 1982.
3. A magnum of Château Latour 1961.

Auctions Across the Globe

The epic sale, known as The Epicurean’s Atlas, spans multiple auction events in Hong Kong, Beaune, and New York. On 20 June, Chen’s collection of fine and rare Champagne achieved €1.35 million in Paris. Notable sales included:

1. Three magnums of Salon Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs 1990 sold for €25,000.
2. A single magnum of Dom Pérignon P3 1966 fetched €23,750, more than doubling the previous record.

A Testament to Quality and Rarity

The exceptional interest and competitive bidding at this auction reflect the global demand for high-quality and rare wines. As the head of Sotheby’s wine division in Asia, George Lacey, expressed, this event highlighted the unparalleled quality of Pierre Chen’s wines, attracting savvy collectors worldwide. Sotheby’s anticipates reaching a record-breaking $50 million from these auctions, underscoring the collection’s monumental value.

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