One of the February Online Auctions at iDealwine attracted particularly active buyers from outside of France. Representing 30 different countries, these buyers bought nearly 50% of the lots sold, with Côte de Nuits, the Rhône Valley and Champagne all reaping impressive results.

While Bordeaux’s prices remained mostly stable, there was renewed interest by Asian buyers in Lafite Rothschild, Haut Brion, La Mission Haut Brion, Palmer and Léoville Las Cases. The wines from Pontet Canet were also sought-after and their conversion to biodynamic practices has been particularly instrumental in the rise of prices for older vintages, such as the 2000 (+12% to €94).

Burgundy’s Côte de Nuits also fared well, especially the 2010 vintage, with Vosne-Romanée Cros Parantoux of Domaine Emmanuel Rouget reaching €1,170. Les Clos de Tart also recorded good results: +37% for the 2010 to €328, +8% for 2009 to €284 and +17% for 2002 to €246. The buyers of these Burgundy wines were mainly from outside of France, including Asia (Hong Kong and Singapore) and Europe (UK, Germany and Italy).

In the Rhône Valley, the stunning wines of Côte-Rôtie and Châteauneuf-du-Pape were mostly sought-after by French and American enthusiasts, as well as those from Asia. There was a rare appearance from Côte-Rôtie, with the 1991 vintage of Côte Brune’s Marius Gentaz-Dervieux (now discontinued) reaching €1,080. Jamet’s popularity continued to rise with its classic cuvée, as well as its cuvée Côte Brune, the 1998 selling for €314.

The famous trio of Guigal – La Turque, La Mouline and La Landonne – returned to center stage, while the wines from Hermitage proved particularly popular, especially Chapoutier (€560 for a magnum of Ermitage Le Pavillon 2010), Hermitage La Chapelle’s famous 1990 vintage (€420) and Jean-Louis Chave (€426 for a 1990). In Châteauneuf, two areas stood out: Château Rayas and Henri Bonneau, whose 1999 Célestins reserve sold for €240 (+46%).

Champagne Krug, Selosse and Bollinger
Top Champagne wines were particularly popular and Krug attracted competitive bidding. A 1988 Le Clos du Mesnil recorded a 71% increase in its price, to €1,380, while the 1981 vintage of this wine sold for €1,212 (239% more than the iDealwine estimate). The price of the Grande Cuvée ranged from €128 to €220, while the Brut Vintage 1995 reached €312 (+49%).

Also notable was Selosse’s Collection Localities (six bottles from different sites), which sold for €1,920 to an American buyer. Bollinger’s RD was also very successful: the 1982 vintage sold for €252 (+58%) and the 1988 for €216 (+26%).

In other regions, the famous Vouvray Goutte d’Or 1990 of Foreau reached €452, while a bottle of Petite Sibérié 2001 from Hervé Bizeul of Clos des Fées sold for €210.

Translated from the original French article written by Angelique de Lencquesaing for iDealwine

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