Some stellar performances at fine, rare wine auction – but 22% unsold
MULLING OVER results of the inaugural Strauss & Co Fine Wine Auction in Johannesburg, waiting to hear feedback and comment from the organisers Wine Cellar and Sommelier Higgo Jacobs, there’s a fair bit to ponder. 78% of the 183 lots sold for R1.3m in total, the items ranging from single bottles to 12-bottle cases. “We think it’s a great start,” tweeted Roland Peens of Wine Cellar, Cape Town. He was already thinking of the next such auction in Cape Town on 14 September.
One of the standout sales was that of a wine just one year old that sold for over R10K: six bottles of a 2018 Alheit Chenin; Bottelary vineyard, Stellenbosch; Hermanus cellar; only 76 bottles produced. The highest price fetched was for a tiny bottle of fortified wine from a barrel in the cellar of Joubert-Tradauw outside Barrydale, Klein Karoo. Over R50K. More than what was paid at the Nederburg Auction a few years back. Bought by who, we wonder! And what to make of the various wines that went unsold. Some big names. Asking prices too high perhaps?
See below for what was most in-demand at Strauss’s Houghton premises on Saturday, 8 June, and for the full results including the unsold lots, see here. Prices inclusive of the ‘buyer’s premium’ and VAT, all 750ml bottles unless stated otherwise.
TOP PRICES PAID
Jaubert Muscat d’Alexandrie 1800 (Fortified NV)*
1 × 275ml Bottle: R51 210 (R76 815/750ml)
Klein Constantia Vin de Constance 1986 (Natural Sweet)
1 × 500ml Bottle: R34 140 (R51 210/750ml)
GS Cabernet 1966
1 Bottle: R34 140
Klein Constantia Vin de Constance 1987 (Natural Sweet)
1 × 500ml Bottle: R22 760 (R34 140/750ml)
KWV Muscadel 1930 (Fortified)
3 Bottles: R21 622 (R7207pb)
Klein Constantia Vin de Constance 1997 (Natural Sweet)
3 × 500ml Bottles: R11 380 (R3793pb, R5690/750ml)
Klein Constantia Vin de Constance 2007 (Natural Sweet)
6 × 500ml Bottles: R17 070 (R2845pb, R4267/750ml)
Sadie Ouwingerdreeks 2009 (Mixed Case)
6 Bottles: R25 036 (R4172pb)
Lanzerac Cabernet Sauvignon 1963
6 × 375ml Bottles: R15 363 (R2560pb, R3841/750ml)
Meerlust Rubicon 1984 (Red Blend)
6 Bottles: R17 070 (R2845pb)
Mvemve Raats De Compostella 2008 (Red Blend)
6 Bottles: R17 070 (R2845pb)
Sadie Family Columella Vertical Case 2001 to 2012 (Red Blend)
12 Bottles: R34 140 (R2845pb)
Kanonkop Black Label Pinotage 2006
6 Bottles: R14 794 (R2466pb)
Niepoort & Sadie Cape Charme 2008 (Red Blend)
6 Bottles: R14 794 (R2466pb)
Kanonkop Paul Sauer 1990 (Red Blend)
6 Bottles: R14 225 (R2371pb)
Boekenhoutskloof The Journeyman 2005 (Red Blend)
6 Bottles: R13 656 (R2276pb)
Vilafonté Series M 2007 (Red Blend)
6 Bottles: R13 656 (R2276pb)
Vilafonté Series C 2006 (Red Blend)
6 Bottles: R13 087 (R2181pb)
Alheit Radio Lazarus 2018 (Chenin Blanc)
6 Bottes: R11 380 (R1897pb)
* For more about the Jaubert Muscat d’Alexandrie 1800, see here.
• For the SA Wine & Cellar Classification, click here.
About the 2nd Strauss Auction on 14 September, which will feature a larger selection of fine South African wines and will also include iconic international wines. “We don’t believe that it will dilute or distract from what we are endeavouring to do for South Africa’s top wines. South African fine wine needs to stand with fine international wines. We are working hard to draw more buyers in.”
About the 1st Strauss Auction. “We received excellent insight into which wines and brands are considered auction-worthy in South Africa… For instance, Meerlust does indeed have the best brand equity; most bidders and pricing well above lower estimate.” For more feedback, click here.
About the 1st Strauss Auction. 22 percent unsold? Not a great start. Not sure SA is ready for a secondary market in the depths of its economic and political woes.