The Great Domaine Leroy Auction
Encompassing 65 different lots spanning vintages 1996 to 2014
Online Auction: 8th November - 6th December 2021
Rare Original Cases. No Buyer's Premium. Worldwide Shipping.
I wanted to let you know about an exciting development. I am aware the word exciting is often overused, but in this instance I think it is more than appropriate. Today, we have launched our first online auction featuring 65 lots, all from one of Burgundy’s greatest estates, Domaine Leroy, and all from one private collection, including some very rare original wooden cases such as a mixed case of 1999 Musigny, Grand Cru and 1999 Volnay, 1er Cru Santenots and a 12-bottle case of 1999 Richebourg, Grand Cru. Frankly, I would be surprised to see other cases such as these come to light and, even if they did, I doubt they would have accompanying original invoices to underpin their provenance as these cases do. Simply put, these are some of the most sought after, some of the finest and some of the most expensive wines in the world.
Please see below for my introduction to The Great Domaine Leroy Auction:
Over the years I have worked in the wine industry, I have helped my clients build up some amazing collections such as the DRC ‘Superlot’ that broke records when auctioned by Sotheby’s (Hong Kong) in 2014. This was a 114-bottle flight containing six bottles of each vintage of La Romanée-Conti itself spanning vintages 1992-2010.
When a long-standing client, and good friend, first approached me with the idea of auctioning a prized collection of Domaine Leroy, which he had collected with my assistance since the year 2000, our conversation quickly turned to whether Atlas could hold an online auction itself and therefore engage directly with prospective buyers. Atlas has been interested in the possibility of holding its own auctions for some time and had already identified market-leading software that could be embedded on our website. By holding such auctions ourselves, we can dispense with unnecessary buyer’s premiums and simply take our commission from the vendor, as would be the case with a normal broking transaction, ensuring the vendor maximises the value of a rare collection. There is little doubt that the transparency of such a model holds appeal for both the vendor, who wishes to reach the widest possible audience for their prized collection, and the purchaser, who can avoid hefty additional fees. Such transparency also ties in with our ethos at Atlas.
Our inaugural online auction, The Great Domaine Leroy Auction, commences on the 8th November 2021 and concludes on the 5th December 2021 at 18:00 (GMT). It focuses solely on the wines of one of the greatest of all Burgundian domaines, namely Domaine Leroy. This collection has been pieced together over more than two decades and encompasses 65 different lots spanning vintages 1996 to 2014. Even more remarkable is the fact that the collection contains several original wooden cases of the very rarest Domaine Leroy Grand Cru, including two vintages of the Musigny and several vintages of Richebourg. Many of the wines included were purchased by the seller from a UK merchant who, at one point in time, enjoyed an impressive direct allocation. Indeed, I sold these wines to the client concerned while working for this merchant, and the client has kept the original invoices, so we can confirm the provenance of a number of these cases by showing the invoice with personal details redacted. Such supporting paperwork is seldom available and should therefore give any prospective buyers confidence.
Naturally, these early purchases have been added to over the years, but in each instance, we are aware of the source. Some wines have been consolidated with Atlas by the client, who purchased elsewhere, whereas others were sourced directly via Atlas. All stocks have been photographed and we are able to show an extensive range of high-resolution images on our auction site. Additionally, all the stocks are currently stored in Atlas’ dedicated reserves area at LCB Vinothèque. For all stocks purchased, we can assist in arranging prompt worldwide shipping – quotations can be supplied on request.
This sale marks the start of a new facet of our business and highlights the services we at Atlas can provide, not only in assembling remarkable collections in the first place, but also in marketing them should the client be inclined to sell. I hope you find this incredibly rare auction to be of interest and, as you will have gathered, we have worked tirelessly to provide all the detail that you may require to purchase with confidence. We have included an overview of the estate written by William Kelley that we have been allowed to republish with the kind permission of The World of Fine Wine. Additionally, we have added detailed notes on each individual wine as well as condition notes for each lot listed.
All the best,
Simon