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 %

The happy problem of drinking any bottle of Domaine Prieuré Roch is its immediate readiness and satisfaction anytime anywhere. He attracts all kinds of wine lovers and converts a lot of people into wine lovers. The first bottle of Prieuré Roch converts me is Nuits-St-Georges Clos des Corvees 1999. It does not have the cold tannin atypical in the appellation. On the contrary, its floral aroma and fine texture quickly locks me down. The unique blood orange flavors from this climats always stays in my mind.

“ This is the story of how I became interested in wine ”. Here we are in 1958, it was the moment of the football world cup, which took place in Sweden, a moment which was marked by the revelation of one of the most talented football players in the world: Pelé.

It was on television, which at that time was still in black and white, that, during the intervals between two matches, viewers were offered an oenogastronomy programme, presented by, in my opinion, the greatest Italian oenogastronomy journalist in the world, the eminent Luigi Veronelli. The team that hosted this show consisted of Veronelli, a chef, and also a third character who had the particularity of wearing around his neck, what I know today is a wine taster. It was love at first sound, hearing about food and wine led me to enrol in the Hotel School.

After the first month, I realized that the kitchens were not my cup of tea, and so I was advised to go up one floor to attend to the dining room and reception. It was there that I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to hear the chef de rang, the master, evoke great French châteaux, I understood nothing, not even why châteaux were being referred to at all, then, over time, I familiarized myself with this vocabulary.

I continued to follow this figure and long before the creation of the Enoteca Pinchiorri and the Enoteca Nazionale, I became interested in wine and began to collect it. It was also by going to well-known restaurants in Florence – notably Buca Lapi or Sabatini, which then carried two Michelin stars – that I developed my approach and dedicated myself to gastronomy as well as wine, but I repeat, especially to wine.

I continued in this direction by additionally taking specific courses, until the time of the great flood which submerged Florence in 1966. A tragedy which took countless victims as well as whole sections of Florentine culture. A tragedy which resounded well beyond the borders of the country since everyone heard about it.