LEADING EUROPEAN FINE WINE AUCTIONEER • GENEVA
14 December 2020

“Kingdoms” exceptional results


Michael Ganne during the "Kingdoms" auction, December 2020 in Geneva, for Baghera/wines

By Julie Carpentier

Julie Carpentier’s past is deeply rooted to the Loire valley. She has shown a remarkable understanding of native varietals together with an overall taste for exceptional and unique products…

Baghera/wines sells 2020 most expensive wine

Sunday, December 6th saw the "Kingdoms" auction organized by Baghera/wines garner CHF 3'556'500 / USD 3'988'614 / € 3'290'473 in sales, with 100% of lots sold for an estimate of between CHF 1.8 and 3.6 million. Achieved within a particularly chaotic economic context, these results confirm the appetite of wine collectors around the world and their confidence in Baghera/wines' expertise. All the bids were collected by telephone, online (internet) or by prior purchase order.

Lot 14, the "Kingdoms" by Baghera/wines star lot and the only one of its kind in the world, consisting of a set of six large-format Methuselah (6L) bottles from Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, sold to a Swiss buyer for CHF 900,000 – thus becoming the most expensive wine sold in 2020.

Lot 13, a set of six large-format Jeroboam (3L) bottles from Domaine de la Romanée-Conti sold for CHF 408,000.

The first 14 lots of the sale, all from the Enoteca Pinchiorri collection, lots 1 to 14, fetched a total of CHF 1.8 million.

Wines from the Domaines Prieuré-Roch and Bizot in particular were the subject of fierce bidding and the prices achieved by each lot show growing interest among the great enthusiasts of Côte-de-Nuits terroirs.

The Chartreuses collection attracted intense interest from buyers due to its quality and the historical character of the 120 bottles. Known as a niche product for well-informed connoisseurs, Chartreuse liqueurs become increasingly important in recent years among lovers of rare spirits, with all the lots offered in "Kingdoms" fetching more than double their conservative estimate.

At the end of the sale, Michael Ganne, Executive Director of Baghera/wines, commented: "Within the very unusual context of 2020, we are very pleased with ‘Kingdoms’, a resolutely dynamic sale, where the buyers were extremely caught up in the auction, driven by the irreproachable quality of the lots offered. Regardless of the economic context, when rare goods are on the table, passion rules, and there has been no lack of interest and participation by international bidders. During the last few months Baghera/wines has, more than ever, cultivated its ties with its customers. Dematerialized sales have been an opportunity to reconnect with customers in another type of dimension, but always in a spirit of sharing and passion for wine.”



KINGDOMS by Baghera/wines

  • TOTAL: CHF 3,556,500 /USD 3,988,614/€ 3,290,473
  • Lots sold: 273
  • Lots available: 273                                                                                
  • Sold in lots: 100 %

Key "Kingdoms" by Baghera/wines sales data:

  • Sale: " Kingdoms " by Baghera/wines offered to the public through LIVE STREAMING on www.bagherawines.com
  • Location: Geneva - SWITZERLAND | Beau-Rivage, Geneva
  • Date: Sunday, December 6, 2020 at 2pm
  • Number of lots: 273

 Mr. Giorgio Pinchiorri said: "On Sunday 6 December, 24 of the most precious and sought-after bottles in the world took off for a new destination, a new "guardian", who I hope will, like me, lavish on them the care and love necessary to preserve an oenological heritage that is unique in the world. We extend our warm thanks to Michaël Ganne and his team at Baghera/wines for having been right there beside us during this important undertaking and for having been able to propose our gems to the right audience. Baghera/wines has not only shown great professionalism, but also a profound knowledge of the wines themselves and the world of wine auctions - qualities that are essential to best enhancing the value of an asset of this significance. I am deeply grateful to my friends, Michael Ganne and Julie Carpentier for their grounded and humane approach, along with the respect and listening skills demonstrated throughout the preparation of this important event. A big thank you to them.”

Part of the proceeds from the sale of Lots 1 to 14 in Kingdoms by Baghera/wines (Pinchiorri collection) will be donated by the owners of Enoteca Pinchiorri to two associations, one Italian (to be specified later) and the other Les Climats du vignoble de https://www.climats-bourgogne.com/en. The Climats, terroirs of Burgundy have been added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List since July 4, 2015. World Heritage is one of the various programs led by UNESCO and encourages the protection and preservation of cultural, natural and mixed sites.

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