THE CHATEAU MARGAUX "EX-CELLAR" AUCTION AT SOTHEBY'S NEW YORK WAS A HUGE SUCCESS - 2.8 MILLION DOLLARS, DOUBLE THE ESTIMATES. THE TOP LOT WAS THE 2009 12 LITRE SOLD FOR 98.000 DOLLARS, AND A VERTICAL (1978-2012, MAGNUM) FOR 67.375

When you put together the prestige of one of the most esteemed names in the wine world like Château Margaux, the charm of old vintages, from 1900 onwards, guaranteed quality in large sizes (up to 12 liters) and the fact that everything comes directly from the Bordeaux winery so that the bottles are safe from counterfeiting, success is secured. The auction at Sotheby's in New York, titled "A Celebration of the Mentezelopolos era", totaled 2.8 million dollars, double the estimates.
The exceptional auction was dedicated to the Mentezelopolos family, heading the company in Bordeaux since 1978 and more importantly, allowed 239 lots to leave the cellars of the Château loved by Thomas Jefferson and Ernest Hemmingway, to the delight of the biggest collectors in the world (www.sothebys.com).

The auction almost made the "white gloves" category, as 99% of the lots were sold. The top lots got astonishing figures: 98.000 US dollars for a 2009 Balthazar (12 liters), one of only six produced; 67 375 dollars for a vertical from 1978 to 2012, all 35 Magnum and 61.250 dollars for the 1900 vintage bottle.
Two lots of 6 Magnum 1990 did very well also, and sold for 42.875 dollars. Four lots of 6 Magnum, vintage 2000 also sold for the same amount each. One of the highest prices was the Magnum 1953 at 39.200 dollars
“I am touched by these results that went beyond all our expectations”, explained Corinne Mentzelopoulos, owner of Château Margaux, “and I thank our team and Sotheby's truly professional work. It was the auction of our life, and I consider it a really exciting tribute to my father and to the centuries of Château Margaux history. I am especially grateful to the world collectors for their enthusiasm for our wines, which is our best reward”.