Christie’s readies for estimated HK$35m sale from Joseph Lau’s collection

The Christie’s Hong Kong team is putting scores of gems from Bordeaux and Burgundy under the hammer, as it presents ‘Iconic Wines from Joseph Lau Part III’ on 22 May. After the success of parts I and II of the sale in 2022, Christie’s is bringing a third tranche of wines from the cellars of Joseph Lau to auction. Comprising more than 200 lots, the sale is estimated to achieve HK$35 million (US$4.6 million). Joseph Lau, one of Hong Kong’s most prominent figures, is renowned both for his expansive business empire and impeccable taste. His illustrious collections encompass celebrated works by established artists, record-breaking jewels, and, notably, an extraordinary cellar brimming with prestigious French wines. ‘Iconic Wines from Joseph Lau Part III’ allows connoisseurs a rare opportunity to acquire wines from such an esteemed collection, especially for those who missed the highly sought-after offerings of previous editions. “The spotlight remains firmly on the finest names in Burgundy and Bordeaux,” explains Francis Belin, president of Christie’s Asia Pacific, “with particular emphasis on legendary producers whose wines are revered around the world. The breadth and depth of this collection once again speak to Mr. Lau's extraordinary foresight and dedication.”

French excellence

Burgundy is particularly well represented, with a notable collection of Henri Jayer on offer. The collection includes vintages of the esteemed Cros Parantoux plot from the 1980s to 2001, including some in magnum. Many of the rarest bottles were acquired from Christie’s ‘The Private Cellar of Henri Jayer’ auction in 2012. Another iconic Burgundy producer features heavily: Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. Several cuvées appear with a number of vintages, with Romanée-Conti and Montrachet from the 1990s to the 2010s, as well Richebourg, La Tâche and Échezeaux across the 1990s. Collectors will also find a small selection of Leflaive Montrachet, as well as Batard-Montrachet and Chevalier-Montrachet from d’Auvenay. For Bordeaux lovers, meanwhile, all five first growth châteaux feature, as well as right bank wines of equal stature, such as Le Pin and Petrus. The lots of Château Lafite Rothschild include larger format bottles, up to six litres, while Petrus is available in parcel quantities. The sale offers quality and care thanks to the experienced team at Christie’s. Most of the bottles were previously acquired from Christie’s (such as through the aforementioned Henri Jayer sale) and since stored in the collector's temperature-controlled cellar. Prior to the auction, they were transferred to Christie’s wine storage at Crown Wine Cellars and inspected by Christie’s wine specialists. Each bottle in the sale will have a specially designed sticker on the back – a mark that it has come from a truly exceptional sale of the world’s top French wines. Prospective bidders can explore the auction catalogue here.