Far From Free Port: Niepoort in Lalique 1863 sells for stellar prices

Distiller devotees got a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to purchase a portentous piece of port history recently when the first of five Niepoort in Lalique 1863 decanters went under the gavel in Hong Kong, courtesy of Acker Merrall & Condit, the New York-headquartered wine merchants and auctioneer group.

After several rounds of fierce bidding, the 1863 bottle went for a world-record breaking US$128,000, six times its presale estimate.

Niepoort

What made the crystal demijohn decanters so special are that they are the latest fruits of the long-term partnership between Niepoort, one of Portugal’s most-admired port producers, and Lalique, the legendary French crystal glassmaker, with each numbered item bearing both the glassmaker’s own imprimatur and an engraved acknowledgement of ‘Francisco Marius van der Niepoort’, one of the port-making pioneers who founded Niepoort.

However, the true allure of this illustrious lot is down to what lies within – an exceptionally rare 155-year-old vintage port distilled way back in 1863, the same year Abraham Lincoln signed the slavery-abolishing Emancipation Proclamation, but they may only be coincidence. While its vintage may cause some concern as to whether this particular port is way past its prime, fear not – last year, renowned wine critic James Suckling gave it an unambiguous 100 points without so much as slurring a word.

 

Acker Merrall & Condit announces extravagant HK$208,888 wine weekend

American wine auction house Acker Merrall & Condit began 2018 in much the same way it ended 2017 – with a seriously impressive wine inventory and even more impressive sales figures.

After successful first auction, Acker Merrall & Condit Chairman John Kapon announces HK$208,888 wine weekend
Acker Merrall & Condit Chairman John Kapon on the podium of last weekend’s Hong Kong auction

The company concluded its first auction of the year in Hong Kong last weekend, drawing in US$5.75million in sales and setting 113 world records simultaneously. Top performers included a six-bottle lot of 1990 Henri Jayer Vosne Romanee Cros Parantoux (sold for US$152,981) and a fifty-two bottle vertical collection of Mouton Rothschild (US$76,490).

Despite this fantastic performance, Acker Merrall & Condit is not about to rest on its laurels. In fact, the wine merchant is looking to reinvent the wine tasting experience in Asia at the highest levels.

Auction Highlights: 2 double magnums 1989 Chateau Petrus (HKD$208,000-280,000)
Auction Highlights: 2 double magnums 1989 Chateau Petrus (sold for HKD$271,700)

Following the massive success of its inaugural Greatest Wines Weekend in New York City last year, Acker Merrall & Condit will be bringing this amazing experience to Hong Kong and Macau. Eyeing the most discerning (and most affluent) oenology enthusiasts and collectors, it is offering just 18 places for a special three-dinner event running 7-9 June.

Attendees will be wined and dined at three Michelin star Bo Innovation, then at the Peninsula Hotel before being helicoptered across to Macau on the third evening for a meal at The Eight.

Auction Highlights: 12 bottles 1990 DRC La Tache (HKD$520,000-680,000)
Auction Highlights: 12 bottles 1990 DRC La Tache (sold for HKD$592,800)

While the food promises to be fantastic, the true stars of the show are the amazingly rare wines served alongside them. Standout vintages include an 1884, 1890 and 1900 d’Yquem, a 1911 LaTour, a 1928 Lafite Rothschild, a 1945 Mouton Rothschild and a1959 Krug champagne.

The experience won’t come cheap. Tickets are set at a staggering HK$208,888 per head, but for a true wine lover, how much is too much for this once-in-a-lifetime affair?

Visit this site to purchase your own seat for the Greatest Wines Weekend, Hong Kong & Macau (7-9 June 2018).

Text: Tenzing Thondup
Images: Acker Merrall & Condit