Auctions Top 10 2022 - A new king in Burgundy
Looking back at Langton’s Auctions in 2022, some things changed, and some stayed the same. It was a year in which there was a significant increase in demand for top end Burgundy. The cuvées of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti are perennial favourites. However, the peers of DRC began to take the spotlight with aged, prestigious Grands Crus driving a competitive market. These realised prices, in turn, convinced some collectors to liquidate their holdings which increased supply but, as always, not nearly enough.
In a strong secondary market year, the Langton’s Auction team processed just under 300k lots in 2022. This number represents a high watermark for volumes in the secondary market at Langton’s.
In a strong secondary market year, the Langton’s Auction team processed just under 300k lots in 2022. This number represents a high watermark for volumes in the secondary market at Langton’s.
No. 1 Penfolds Bin 1 Grange Hermitage Shiraz 1951
$129,000 plus BP
The story of the 1951 Grange Hermitage is part of Australian wine folklore. More than that, it is a touchstone for Australian history. The ‘51 a living artefact that means more than the wine in the bottle. There is a tension between old world wine and the new. Max Schubert’s desire to emulate the great wines of the world while retaining an Australian heart became so much more. It was a statement of intent, the throwing down of a gauntlet as much to the Australian wine industry as to the rest of the world.
Today, the question for buyers demands an answer more urgently than ever: to open or to hold. To crack the seal and pull the cork? To taste something rare, special, and historic? Or keep it closed, safe, sealed and add their name to the provenance list. While the 1951 Grange Hermitage possesses prodigious longevity, it is not immortal. What then? Retire it to a plinth to take pride of place in Australia’s wine museum. Will there be a pang of regret? For the road not travelled or the chance not taken? For those who pursue the first Penfolds Grange, often to complete a full set, these are the questions they ask. What would you do?
Beyond the ‘51, the 1950s Penfolds Grange wines continue to draw the most and the highest bids. If you have a few forgotten bottles in the cellar, now is the time to sell!
The story of the 1951 Grange Hermitage is part of Australian wine folklore. More than that, it is a touchstone for Australian history. The ‘51 a living artefact that means more than the wine in the bottle. There is a tension between old world wine and the new. Max Schubert’s desire to emulate the great wines of the world while retaining an Australian heart became so much more. It was a statement of intent, the throwing down of a gauntlet as much to the Australian wine industry as to the rest of the world.
Today, the question for buyers demands an answer more urgently than ever: to open or to hold. To crack the seal and pull the cork? To taste something rare, special, and historic? Or keep it closed, safe, sealed and add their name to the provenance list. While the 1951 Grange Hermitage possesses prodigious longevity, it is not immortal. What then? Retire it to a plinth to take pride of place in Australia’s wine museum. Will there be a pang of regret? For the road not travelled or the chance not taken? For those who pursue the first Penfolds Grange, often to complete a full set, these are the questions they ask. What would you do?
Beyond the ‘51, the 1950s Penfolds Grange wines continue to draw the most and the highest bids. If you have a few forgotten bottles in the cellar, now is the time to sell!
No. 2 Domaine Leroy Grand Cru Musigny
Hammer price $32,201 plus BP
For the first time in many years, our most expensive bottle of Burgundy was something other than DRC’s Romanée-Conti (see below). In 2022, Domaine Leroy’s 1994 Musigny Grand Cru took the top spot. The successful buyer beat the competition with a staggering winning bid of $32,201 plus BP. Leroy is an old Norman name, common in the north of France, and means ‘the King’. Does this mean there’s a new king of the Burgundy auction market? A bottle of the 2007 vintage sold for $27,600 plus BP in the same auction. Both bottles were contested, indicating there is a thirst for Leroy in the market. We’ll be watching closely to see if DRC can regain the throne or if we are entering a new reign.
For the first time in many years, our most expensive bottle of Burgundy was something other than DRC’s Romanée-Conti (see below). In 2022, Domaine Leroy’s 1994 Musigny Grand Cru took the top spot. The successful buyer beat the competition with a staggering winning bid of $32,201 plus BP. Leroy is an old Norman name, common in the north of France, and means ‘the King’. Does this mean there’s a new king of the Burgundy auction market? A bottle of the 2007 vintage sold for $27,600 plus BP in the same auction. Both bottles were contested, indicating there is a thirst for Leroy in the market. We’ll be watching closely to see if DRC can regain the throne or if we are entering a new reign.
No. 3 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Romanée-Conti
Hammer price $27,000 plus BP
Long live the king! While Leroy may have stolen the Burgundian crown in 2022, Romanée-Conti from Domaine de la Romanée-Conti hasn’t yet quit the field. A 2002 bottle achieved a price of $27,000 plus BP with more than 20 bids on this lot. We know our customers love DRC and Domaine de la Romanée-Conti in particular. There is simply never enough to satisfy demand.
Long live the king! While Leroy may have stolen the Burgundian crown in 2022, Romanée-Conti from Domaine de la Romanée-Conti hasn’t yet quit the field. A 2002 bottle achieved a price of $27,000 plus BP with more than 20 bids on this lot. We know our customers love DRC and Domaine de la Romanée-Conti in particular. There is simply never enough to satisfy demand.
No. 4 Domaine G. Roumier Grand Cru Musigny 2011
Hammer price $20,240 plus BP
No. 5 Domaine Leroy Grand Cru Richebourg Cote de Nuits 2003
Hammer price $17,480 plus BP
No. 6 Domaine d'Auvenay Grand Cru, Mazis-Chambertin 2007
Hammer price $16,560 plus BP
No. 7 Domaine Leroy Grand Cru Chambertin 2006
Hammer price $15,732 plus BP
No. 8 Domaine d'Auvenay Les Narvaux Meursault 2011
Hammer price $14,720 plus BP
No. 9 Penfolds G3 Shiraz South Australia MV
Hammer price $12,000 plus BP
No. 10 Domaine Henri Jayer Grand Cru Echezeaux 1991
Hammer price $11,960 plus BP
This rounds our Top 10 cuvées from Langton’s Auction in 2022. 2023 has started at a strong pace and we expect to exceed last year’s results as the secondary market at Langton’s goes from strength to strength. Explore our auctions to Browse and Bid all live lots.
Further Reading
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New World Record for 1951 Penfolds Grange
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