Wine destined for Napoleon, auctioned for almost R1m
MULTIPLE records were smashed this week at the Strauss & Co Virtual Live Auction which featured five iconic single bottle lots of South African wines as part of the combined art and wine Impression/Expression catalogue.
The marquee lot and star of the sale, a bottle of Grand Constance 1821, fetched a staggering R996 625 including commission, doubling an earlier auction record in April this year.
This extremely rare bottle of sweet wine, likely destined for Napoleon before his death in 1821, was owned by the Malan family of Simonsig Estate.
The bottle was purchased on auction in London as part of a larger collection in 1983 by the family. Only a handful of labelled bottles in this fine condition remain in South Africa today, with this 200-year-old wine noted for its freshness, richness and complexity.
Notably all five wines sold are in fine and drinkable condition, having all been tasted recently with high acclaim by local and international critics. The age of the five wines collectively adds up to 574 years, which captured the imagination of bidders with their incredible history, provenance and rare collectability.
The coveted 1957 vintage of South Africa's oldest red wine – Chateau Libertas and the iconic GS Cabernet Sauvignon 1966 both achieved R93 800. The former, a 100 pointer from Greg Sherwood MW, and the latter 20/20 from Jancis Robinson, are record prices for red South African wines.
Both bottles have recently been re-corked, ensuring perfect condition and longevity.
The night belonged to the sweets though, firmly establishing South Africa's status as a producer of world-class sweet wines, historically and today.
The first commercial vintage of the Klein Constantia Vin de Constance 1987 achieved R35 175, while a 275ml bottle of the Jaubert Family Muscat d'Alexandrie, drawn from a 115L barrel in care of the Joubert family for more than 200 years and seven generations, fetched R93 800.
“South Africa was firmly in the company of the fine wines of the world tonight at the Strauss & Co Virtual live sale,” says wine auction partner Higgo Jacobs.
“We are incredibly happy with the results, both for the sellers but also for South African wine in general. These positive results will go a long way to elevate the status of iconic, historic South African wine.”
The Strauss & Co fine wine auctions are a collaboration between Strauss & Co, wine merchant WineCellar.co.za and Jacobs.