SAN FRANCISCO, CA.- Bonhams announced the results of its $1.3 million auction of Fine & Rare Wines Featuring the Collection of Dr. Maurice Galante that took place on December 12 in San Francisco.
The 909-lot auction was led by a selection of six magnums of 1970 Romanée-Conti, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, that achieved $53,550. The lot came from the estate of San Francisco surgeon Dr. Maurice Galante, an avid collector of wines from a diversity of regions. All of Mr. Galantes bottles were stored since purchase in an underground home cellar in San Francisco. Also from his collection, 11 bottles of 1959 Château Haut-Brion sold for $7,140 and six bottles of 1976 Krug Vintage Champagne took in $5,355.
A great many bottles of wine from a Northern California wine industry professional attracted spirited bidding and achieved strong prices. Highlights in the collection from Domaine de la Romanée-Conti included three bottles of 2005 Romanée-Conti that achieved $35,700; 12 bottles of 1993 La Tâche that took in $26,180; 11 bottles of 1990 Richebourg that sold for $26,180; six bottles of 2005 La Tâche that fetched $21,420; 12 bottles of 1993 Échézeaux that realized $14,280; and one bottle of 1993 Romanée-Conti that brought $9,520. Selections from Bordeaux included six bottles of 2000 Château Pétrus that sold for $23,800 and six bottles of 2000 Château Lafleur that brought $9,520.
Additional noteworthy lots from the same collection included 12 bottles of 1993 Domaine Leroy, Clos de Vougeot, that claimed $10,710; 12 bottles of 2000 Château Margaux that fetched $9,520; six magnums of 2000 Château Cheval Blanc that took in $9,520; and one imperial bottle (6L) of 1982 Château Mouton Rothschild that achieved $9,520.
Further highlights include one lot of 12 bottles and one of six magnums of 2003 Château Lafite Rothschild that each brought $7,735. Three bottles of 2010 Screaming Eagle sold for $6,545, and four bottles of 1993 Château Pétrus brought $5,950, as part of a wonderful consignment out of New York.
Additional highlights included six bottles of 1982 Château Mouton Rothschild that sold for $5,950; 12 bottles of 1988 Musigny, Cuvée Vieilles Vignes from Comte de Vogüé, and four magnums of 1969 Les Richebourg from C. Noëllat, that each realized $5,712.