French wines set global price record at Christie's HK sale

New Delhi (IANS): A range of Château Latour wines released directly from the French winery's reserve cellar have achieved a record price of $2.39 million at Christie's Hong Kong sale of rare wines, a statement issued by the global auction house said.

A 1961 vintage Pauillac from the Château Latour collection in lot 127 fetched $170,340, while a 12 bottle case of 1959 vintage Pauillac from lot 20 fetched $116,140 at Saturday's auction.

David Elswood, international head of wine for Christie's, said: "We have achieved extraordinary success with 60 percent of the lots selling above their pre-sale price estimates."

"Almost 98 percent of the Chateau Latour wines were sold," he said. The winery is located in north-west Bordeaux.

Christie's attributed the record sale to online and telephone bidding, apart from the direct bids.