17,000 EURO BID FOR A SALMANAZAR OF 2006 VINTAGE ORNELLAIA HIGHEST BY PINCHIORRI WAS THE HIGHEST MADE AT THE GELARDINI & ROMANI WINE AUCTION

The star of the Gelardini & Romani auction held on October 10 in Rome was by far a Salmanazar (9 liter bottle) of Ornellaia 2006, a unique piece from the “Vendemmia di Artista” collection that was acquired by the Florentine restaurant Enoteca Pinchiorri. It was, however, just one of the great lots that were sold at the autumn auction with lots of important names of both French and Italian wines, among which the private collection of Italy’s ex president, Lamberto Dini (who participated at the auction with his wife Donatella). The average increase from starting bid was a 34% increase, though one lot increased by 102% over starting bid.

The second highest bid went to an Imperiale (6 liters) of Chateau La Mission Haut Brion 1975 (100/100 Robert Parker) for 10,782 euro. Masseto was the most coveted Italian wine with bids equivalent to those for premier Cru Bordeaux, with average increases of 50% from asking bid. Among the Grand Cru from the Piedmont region, interest was limited to just a few yet prestigious labels, like Barolo Monfortino di Giacomo Conterno (for the 1999 vintage the final bid rose +45% from asking bid), Barolo Cannubi Boschis di Sandrone (2004, +40%), and Barbaresco Asili Riserva di Bruno Giacosa (2004, +37%).

The bids for Champagne were stable, among which Salon 1996 had a significant final bid +56% over asking bid.

“The choice to present a catalogue concentrated on the Grand Cru of Bordeaux and Italy” – commented Raimondo Gelardini and Flaviano Romani – “received a favourable reaction from the market, which rewarded, mostly the best years of the 1er Cru of Bordeaux and the big Super Tuscans, with higher bids”.



The Top 10 Lots at the Gelardini & Romani Autumn Auction

1 - Ornellaia - Tenuta dell’Ornellaia - 2006 - 1 Salmanazar (9 litri) - Euro 17,000

2 - Château La Mission Haut Brion - Pessac Leognan 1975 - 1 Imperiale - Euro 10,782

3 - Château Mouton Rothschild - Pauillac 2000 - 3 bottiglie - Euro 1,916

4 - Château Cheval Blanc - St. Emilion 1990 - 3 bottiglie - Euro 1,797

4 - Masseto - Tenuta dell’Ornellaia 2006 - 3 bottiglie - Euro 1,797

5 - Petrus - Pomerol 1987 - 3 Bottiglie - Euro 1,677

5 - Masseto - Tenuta dell’Ornellaia 2001 - 3 bottiglie - Euro 1,677

6 - Château La Mission Haut Brion - Pessac Leognan 2000 - 3 bottiglie - Euro 1,557

7 - Château Lafite Rothschild - Pauillac 1990 - 3 bottiglie - Euro 1,497

8 - Château Latour - Pauillac 1990 - 3 bottiglie - Euro 1,437