Zachys Is Auctioning Off 21 Barrels of High-Tier Bordeaux Wines

Zachys Wine Auctions, one of many premier wine public sale homes, just lately introduced an industry-first public sale of full barrels of prime Bordeaux wines, all from the 2024 Bordeaux classic (every lot additionally consists of unique, not-available-to-the-public experiences on the châteaux themselves). The public sale will run on-line from July 7 by way of a live-streamed shut on July 17 at 10:00 a.m. ET.

Particular person chateaux have auctioned barrels earlier than — for instance, a couple of years in the past, Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou participated in an public sale of uncommon bottles from its cellar that included one barrel from the 2022 and one from the 2023 classic — however these have been within the unicorn-sighting stage of infrequency. That is the primary substantial public sale of barrel tons from a big group of prime chateaux.

The public sale consists of 21 full barrels (300 bottles every) sourced instantly from a few of Bordeaux’s prime Left Financial institution categorized growths, corresponding to Montrose, Calon Ségur, Pichon Baron, and Cos d’Estournel, in addition to from celebrity Proper Financial institution estates corresponding to Bélair-Monange and Angelus.  

Most tons provide the choice to customise bottle sizes and personalize again labels. Whereas the estimates might sound intimidating at first, just a little math reveals that the decrease estimates can really be bargains. On the low estimate of $28,000, 300 bottles of Cos d’Estournel value roughly $93 per bottle, which is lower than the present futures value (hovering round $120 for the 2024 classic) and effectively under the costs for bottles presently on cabinets (normally over $200 every). 300 bottles is quite a lot of wine, to make certain; however then, prime Bordeaux are long-lived wines. 

The immersive experiences provided alongside every barrel can be tough to cost, as they aren’t sometimes provided to the general public. These embody VIP barrel tastings, unique in a single day stays on the châteaux, and personal library wine lunches and dinners, permitting successful bidders to attach instantly with the winemakers and terroirs.

“By this distinctive sale organized with our longtime accomplice Zachy’s, we’re providing a Bordeaux fanatic or collector excess of simply quite a lot of wine,” says Stéphanie de Boüard-Rivoal, CEO & Proprietor of Château Angelus. “It is a chance for a privileged immersion into the world of Angelus, the prospect to personal a chunk of its historical past in an unique and customized format, and to forge a direct and private reference to our Château.”

“This public sale is actually unprecedented. Not solely can you purchase a full barrel from a few of Bordeaux’s prime châteaux, however you can even watch it mature within the château’s cellar, and bottle it in no matter format you select: magnums on your tasting group, and a Melchior or two for a celebration,” says Charles Antin, Zachys’ international head of wine auctions. “The again labels may be personalized on your buddies or your corporation, and the châteaux have been amazingly beneficiant in opening their doorways for VIP dinners and experiences for the successful bidders.”

The 2024s are presently growing old in barrel at their respective estates, with bottling and success scheduled for spring 2027. Pre-auction estimates vary from $9,000 (Chateau Branaire-Ducru) to $60,000 per barrel (Chateau Angelus). Zachys will present successful bidders with devoted knowledgeable assist to coordinate bottling, label personalization, and all associated providers.