Heritage Auctions has continued a strong wine auction market for the start of 2022. The auction ending February 10, 2022 included many fine wines that have not reached their peak. In some cases, these wines will need another 15 years to 25 years before they reach their peak. Translation: wine investors likely played a role here along with those who want to store the fine wine in the cellars for future consumption.

A majority of the wines presented this way still appear to have performed above their auction estimates. Collectors Dashboard has focused on the wines that will almost certainly be worth a higher price once they mature and if they are stored properly.

Collectors Dashboard evaluates high-end collectibles as an alternative asset class. This means collectibles are attracting the same capital that could have been invested into stocks or bonds. Many collectibles now cost thousands of dollars (or much more). Collectors with a passion to own a collectible for years frequently have to compete directly against investors whose only desire is to make a profit in the future.

While this was not the highest lot sale price in the Heritage auction, a single bottle of La Tache 2010 Domaine de la Romanee Conti should stand out above and beyond about how this is a wine specifically for investors at this point. The single bottle La Tache 2010 came with an estimate of $5,500.00 to $7,500.00. It had a bid of $6,000.00 on the morning of February 10 and ultimately sold for $7,687.50 after 11 bids. What should stand out as “investment wine” is when you look at Heritage’s private sales of the same wine (see below).

Heritage Auctions profiled the importance of the wine in the description:

“This is perhaps even more floral than the Richebourg and every bit as spicy on the ultra-pure, cool and remarkably elegant mix of red and blue pinot fruit, red currant and wild red berries that are openly mineral-inflected. As with all of the DRC ’10s, the equally stony flavors and supporting tannins are extremely fine and while there is ample power and vibrancy, the palate feel is all silk and satin. To be sure, this is a big wine with impressive concentration but this is definitely not cut from the same cloth as say the 2005 or 2009 versions are. I can admire both styles but this one is seriously lovely. Readers should note however that while the 2010 LT is exceptionally fine it will still require some 20 to 25 years of cellar time before it reaches its full majority but when it does, it will be considered one of the all-time great vintages for this incredibly storied wine. If your pocketbook can stand the damage, this is an absolute ‘do no miss under any circumstances’ wine.” (98 pts. Allen Meadows, Burghound #49, Jan. 2013)”

Here are some past prices paid for La Tache 2010 Domaine de la Romanee Conti bottle that sold prior to this February 10 auction:

• La Tache 2010 Domaine de la Romanee Conti Bottle (1) sold by Heritage Auctions on Sunday, December 8, 2019 for $3,813.00.
• Auction 5437, Lot 139 La Tache 2010 Domaine de la Romanee Conti Bottle (1) sold by Heritage Auctions on Saturday, September 21, 2019 for $3,936.00.
• Auction 5365, Lot 278 La Tache 2010 Domaine de la Romanee Conti Bottle (1) sold by Heritage Auctions Saturday, March 24, 2018 for $3,660.00.
• Auction 5321, Lot 234 La Tache 2010 Domaine de la Romanee Conti Bottle (1) sold by Heritage Auctions Saturday, October 14, 2017 for $3,416.00.

Here are other sales from the February 10, 2022 auction:

• Gevrey Chambertin 2009 Clos St. Jacques, A. Rousseau Bottle (3) with an estimate of $4,000.00 to $5,000.00 had a bid of $3,900.00 on February 10 and sold for $5,166.00 after 9 bids.
• Chambertin 2016 A. Rousseau Bottle (1) with an estimate of $3,000.00 to $4,000.00 had a bid of $2,700.00 on February 10 and sold for $3,690.00 after 5 bids.
• Gevrey Chambertin 2013 Clos St. Jacques, A. Rousseau Bottle (3) with an estimate of $2,600.00 to $3,500.00 had a bid of $2,425.00 on February 10 and sold for $3,198.00 after 7 bids.
• Chambertin 2017 A. Rousseau Bottle (1) with an estimate of $2,200.00 to $3,000.00 had a bid of $2,300.00 on February 10 and sold for $2,829.00 after 8 bids.
• Romanee St. Vivant 2007 Dujac Bottle (1) with an estimate of $1,400 to $1,800.00 had a bid of $1,500.00 on February 10 and sold for $1,845.00 after 9 bids.

The vineyard Domaine de la Romanee Conti has a storied history of producing fine bottles of wine. While not all the bottles came from the same vineyard many are up to the collector (or investor) to care for until peak maturity. Is your cellar ready to handle what the wine requires to reach its full potential?