WINE AUCTIONS END 2015 ON A POSITIVE NOTE. SOTHEBY’S, HART DAVIS HART, ZACHYS AND CHRISTIE’S RECORDED TOP BIDS AND BORDEAUX WINES ARE ONCE AGAIN THE BEST PLAYERS. THE TOP ITALIAN WINES ARE SASSICAIA, MASSETO, ORNELLAIA, GIACOSA, BIONDI SANTI AND GAJA

2015 closed with a bang under the hammers of the auctioneers of the major "fine wines" auctions. High bidders are back as are some of the players that the global financial crisis and hesitation on the part of some Asian buyers had left on the sidelines – namely, Bordeaux wines. As far as the Italian "blue chips" go, some of the most famous names received very attractive offers and comforting continuity.

The Sotheby's auction in London (December 16-17th) recorded a total of 2.515.967 GBP and the top three lots were: in first place, a case of 6 magnums of Petrus 1989 sold for 30.550 GBP; in second place, 3 bottles of Château Cheval Blanc 1947 and a case (12 bottles) of Chateau Lafite 1982 sold for 17.625 GBP and in third place 2 bottles of Domaine Romanée-Conti, Romanée Conti 1978 sold for 17.038 GBP.
The top three Italian wines at Sotheby’s auction all spoke the same language, Bolgheri. In first place, 6 bottles of Sassicaia 1988 Tenuta San Guido, sold for 1.586 GBP, second place went to 6 bottles of Masseto 2001 sold at 1.081 GBP and third Bolgheri again with 6 bottles of Ornellaia 1988 sold at 729 GBP.
In Chicago, the Hdwine auction (December 10-12th) totaled 8.067.090 US Dollars with a stellar trio of 12 bottles of La Tâche 1990 Romanée-Conti, that sold for 38.000 US dollars, 3 doubles magnum of Petrus 1982 for 35.000 US dollars and two magnums of Vosne Romanée Cros Parantoux 1982 Henri Jayer for 32.000 US Dollars.

The top lots of Italian wines were 12 bottles of Barbaresco Santo Stefano Riserva 1982 Bruno Giacosa, sold at 13.000 US Dollars, in second place another Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Santo Stefano 9 bottles of Riserva 1990 sold for 7.500 US dollars and 12 bottles of Masseto 1987-1989 for 5.000 US Dollars.

Zachys auction in New York on December 4-5th, totaled 5.677.201 US Dollars. The top lot was a "Nebuchadnezzar" (15 liters) of Château Mouton Rothschild 2000, which sold for 116.375 US Dollars, in second place, 12 bottles of Petrus 2000 sold for 41.650 US Dollars and in third place, 12 bottles of Le Pin 2000 sold for 36.750 US Dollars.
The top three Italian lots were 12 bottles of Masseto 1998 sold for 7.350 US Dollars, paired with 12 bottles of Barolo Serralunga Falletto 1996 Bruno Giacosa, in second place again two lots: 6 bottles of Barolo Sarmassa 2000 Roberto Voerzio and 12 bottles of Masseto 1999 sold for 6.125 US Dollars each, and third place 12 bottles of Sori San Lorenzo 1997 Gaja sold for 5.635 US Dollars.

On December 2nd, Christie’s auction in the Big Apple totaled 1.253.726 US Dollars. The top lots were 1 bottle of Château d'Yquem 1811 sold at 49.000 US Dollars, 1 bottle of The Macallan Lalique 57 year Old at 31.850 US Dollars and 11 bottles of Château Lafite 1982 at 24.500 US Dollars. The top Italian lots were 12 bottles of Sori San Lorenzo 2000 Gaja, at 3.185 US Dollars, two double magnums of Masseto 2001at 2.695 US Dollars, and 12 bottles of Brunello di Montalcino 1990 Biondi Santi at 2.205 US Dollars.