Fine Burgundy leads Kaigai Shuhan Asia’s largest ever auction

The 39th Kaigai Wine & Whisky Auction, taking place on 18 May at the Tokyo American Club, will offer close to 800 lots of fine wine and whisky. Collectors, investors and lovers of fine drinking are in for a treat, as Kaigai Shuhan Asia prepares for its biggest auction yet. The 792 lots span the world of wine, from French classics to other European icons to cult wines from all over the world. There is also a selection of fine whiskies going under the hammer, hailing from Scotland, the US and, of course, Japan. The sale will take place on Sunday 18 May at the Tokyo American Club, in the heart of Azabudai, one of Tokyo’s prime business districts. Prospective bidders can attend in-person, but the action also welcomes written bids and those placed by telephone or online. A full list of lots can be found in the auction's catalogue. “What makes this season’s Kaigai Wine & Whisky Auction so exceptional,” explains the auction house's spokesperson, “is the unprecedented scale and rarity of the offerings – featuring over 150 bottles of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, vertical sets of Romanée-Conti and Montrachet, and ultra-rare expressions such as Suntory The Century 40-Year-Old. It represents a level of curation that is exceedingly rare, even by global standards.” They continue: “The very fact that such a distinguished auction is being held in Japan reflects the continued vitality and maturity of the domestic market. Furthermore, the current exchange rate environment has drawn increased attention from international collectors, amplifying Japan’s appeal as a destination for acquiring fine wine and spirits. This dynamic not only boosts participation from overseas but also positions Japan as a rising hub in the global market.”

Highlights of a globe-spanning sale

Across the lots, there is an impressive range that captures the now global fine wine market. Yet there are particular highlights, especially for those interested in Burgundian icons. As mentioned above, more than 150 bottles of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti are on sale. Montrachet is particularly well represented, running from a single bottle of the 1977 vintage through to vertical lots that span several more recent vintages. Plenty of individual bottles from a range of vintages also appear, with the iconic grand cru terroirs Richebourg, La Tâche and Romanée Conti well represented. These include examples from 2020, a vintage termed "awesome" by the domaine's UK agent. Elsewhere, a four bottle set of Morey-Saint-Denis ‘Les Sorbès’ from Jacky Truchot offers a rare opportunity to acquire some of the estate’s 2006 vintage. Made after his retirement at the end of 2005, the set showcases the end of an era for a much-respected winemaker. With vintages stretching as far back as 1907 – a Château Haut-Brion – there is a real depth in the offering of mature wine. The sale also presents geographical range, featuring non-French icons such as Opus One, Penfolds Grange and Pingus. On the spirits front, Suntory 'The Century' 40-Year-Old is a headlining whisky. It was distilled in 1960 at the Yamazaki Distillery and matured in a single Mizunara cask for 40 years. Other fine bottles include Hennessy Paradis and Old Rip Van Winkle, while Scotch lovers can indulge in classic bottles from the likes of Johnnie Walker and The Macallan. View 792 lots in auction