Sotheby’s to auction century of La Mission Haut-Brion wines, celebrating 40 years of Dillon family ownership with rare vintages and experiences.
Sotheby’s has announced an extraordinary auction featuring wines from the prestigious Château La Mission Haut-Brion.
Scheduled for 7 November 2024 in London, this remarkable sale will showcase over a century of vintages, including 40 years of production under the esteemed ownership of Domaine Clarence Dillon.
A Celebration of Viticultural Excellence
The upcoming auction, aptly titled “Château La Mission Haut-Brion | Celebrating 40 Vintages by Domaine Clarence Dillon”, promises to be a landmark event in the world of fine wines.
With nearly 700 lots carrying a combined estimated value exceeding £1 million ($1.3 million), this sale represents a rare opportunity for enthusiasts to acquire wines of legendary status, sourced directly from the château’s cellars.
Nick Pegna, Global Head of Wine and Spirits at Sotheby’s, expressed his enthusiasm for the event, stating:
“We are delighted and honoured to be working with Prince Robert and his team on this wonderful celebration of 40 years of the Dillon family’s ownership of La Mission Haut-Brion. As ever, the wines always outperform expectations and with such perfect provenance, there is something here for all lovers of La Mission Haut-Brion and Quintus”.
This sentiment was echoed by Prince Robert of Luxembourg, Chairman and CEO of Domaine Clarence Dillon, who reflected on the significance of the milestone:
“I can barely believe, that it has been over four decades since I sat at La Mission Haut-Brion to personally witness the moment when my family was to take on the stewardship of this mythical estate. Since then, while always respecting the uniqueness of these wines, my family, my colleagues and I have strived to continue to raise this estate to new heights.”
A Century of Exceptional Wines
The auction will feature an impressive array of wines from La Mission Haut-Brion, spanning from 1920 to 2022. This comprehensive selection includes not only the flagship red wine but also the highly sought-after white wines, formerly known as Château Laville Haut-Brion and now labelled as Château La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc.
Furthermore, the sale will feature wines from other distinguished properties in the Domaine Clarence Dillon portfolio, such as Châteaux La Tour Haut-Brion, La Chapelle de La Mission Haut-Brion, and the emerging star of Saint-Émilion, Château Quintus.
La Mission Haut-Brion: A Legacy of Excellence
Château La Mission Haut-Brion holds a unique position in the pantheon of Bordeaux wines. Often referred to as the “unequivocal sixth First Growth”, it stands shoulder to shoulder with the five estates officially classified in 1855.
The château’s reputation for producing wines of exceptional quality and longevity has earned it a devoted following among collectors and critics alike.
Serena Sutcliffe MW, Honorary Chairman of Sotheby’s Wine, eloquently captures the essence of La Mission Haut-Brion:
“Château La Mission Haut-Brion is both profound and exciting, a landmark and a legend that is, happily, transformed into total pleasure every time it appears in the glass. It should, of course, be a First Growth and it is considered as such, always impressing in vertical tastings.”
The Dillon Family Legacy
The auction commemorates the Dillon family’s 40-year proprietorship of La Mission Haut-Brion, which they acquired in 1983. Clarence Dillon acquired Château Haut-Brion in 1935, which represented a substantial expansion of their viticultural holdings. This acquisition continued this trend.
Prince Robert of Luxembourg, who was present at the signing of the purchase agreement at the age of 15, has played a crucial role in the estate’s development. His deep commitment to La Mission Haut-Brion has been instrumental in elevating its status and ensuring its continued success.
Exceptional Lots and Rare Experiences
The auction offers an impressive range of bottle formats, from half-bottles to the imposing Salmanazar (9 litres). Some standout lots include:
- Château La Mission Haut-Brion 1983 (1 Double Magnum, est. £500-700): The first vintage produced under Domaine Clarence Dillon ownership.
- Château La Mission Haut-Brion 1989 (1 Jeroboam, est. £6,500-8,500): A legendary vintage widely regarded as one of the greatest ever produced at the estate.
- Château La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc 2022 (1 Salmanazar, est. £4,500-6,000): A rare large format of the estate’s highly acclaimed white wine.
In addition to these exceptional wines, the auction features two unique experiential lots:
- A dinner for six at the two-Michelin-starred restaurant Le Clarence in Paris, estimated at £12,000-24,000.
- A Bordeaux experience for six at Domaine Clarence Dillon, including visits to Château Quintus and Château La Mission Haut-Brion, also estimated at £12,000-24,000.
Both experiences come with eight three-bottle cases of the finest wines produced at Château La Mission Haut-Brion and Château Quintus over the last four decades, with one bottle of each signed by Prince Robert of Luxembourg.
The Evolution of La Mission Haut-Brion
The auction provides a unique opportunity to trace the evolution of La Mission Haut-Brion over the past century. Highlights from the pre-Clarence Dillon era include:
- Château La Mission Haut-Brion 1929 (1 bottle, est. £2,400-3,200): A rare opportunity to taste a pre-war vintage from this esteemed estate.
- Château La Mission Haut-Brion 1959 (1 bottle, est. £2,400-3,200): Widely considered one of the greatest vintages of the 20th century.
- Château La Mission Haut-Brion 1982 (1 Jeroboam, est. £4,800-6,500): The last vintage before the Dillon family’s acquisition, representing a pivotal moment in the estate’s history.
The White Wines of La Mission
While the red wines of La Mission Haut-Brion are justly famous, the estate’s white wines have also achieved legendary status. Previously known as Château Laville Haut-Brion, these wines are now produced under the La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc label. The auction features several noteworthy lots, including:
- Château Laville Haut-Brion 1985 (12 bottles, est. £1,900-2,400): A mature vintage of this highly sought-after white wine.
- Château La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc 2009 (1 Salmanazar, est. £2,800-3,500): The first vintage under the new label, presented in a rare large format.
Château Quintus: The Rising Star of Saint-Émilion
The auction also shines a spotlight on Château Quintus, Domaine Clarence Dillon’s Saint-Émilion property acquired in 2011. The estate has quickly established itself as a formidable presence in the appellation, as evidenced by its recent performance in a blind tasting alongside Saint-Émilion’s most prestigious crus.
Collectors will have the opportunity to acquire vintages of Château Quintus dating back to its inaugural 2011 release, including:
- Château Quintus 2011 (6 Magnums, est. £950-1,300): The first vintage of this exciting new addition to the Domaine Clarence Dillon portfolio.
- Château Quintus 2016 (included in the Domaine Clarence Dillon Prestige Case, est. £3,800-4,500 per case): A vintage that recently distinguished itself in a blind tasting, ranking 4th out of 48 wines from Saint-Émilion’s top estates.
A Testament to Provenance and Quality
One of the most compelling aspects of this auction is the impeccable provenance of the wines on offer. Sourced directly from the cellars of Château La Mission Haut-Brion, these bottles have been preserved in optimal conditions since their production.
This factor, combined with the estate’s reputation for producing long-lived wines, makes this sale particularly attractive to serious collectors and investors.
The Broader Context: Fine Wine Market Trends
The timing of this auction is particularly interesting, given the current state of the fine wine market. While the market has experienced some fluctuations in recent years, blue-chip Bordeaux wines from top estates like La Mission Haut-Brion have consistently performed well at auction.
The combination of rarity, provenance, and the celebratory nature of this sale is likely to attract significant interest from collectors worldwide.
Conclusion: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity
The Sotheby’s auction of Château La Mission Haut-Brion wines represents a truly exceptional opportunity for wine enthusiasts and collectors. With its century-spanning selection of vintages, impeccable provenance, and celebration of the Dillon family’s stewardship, this sale is poised to be one of the most significant wine auctions of 2024.
As the fine wine world eagerly anticipates this historic event, it’s clear that the legacy of Château La Mission Haut-Brion – and the visionary leadership of the Dillon family – will continue to shape the landscape of exceptional Bordeaux wines for generations to come.
*Images: Sotheby’s
