A remarkable fine vintage wine sale offers collectors to purchase fine vintage wines from what was the world’s most famous restaurant, elBulli.
April may be the cruelest month, but for wine connoisseurs and collectors, April promises to be a month of exceptional opportunity, as fine wines come on sale at Sotheby’s from the world’s most famous restaurant, elBulli.
If you didn’t manage to book a table at elBulli, you never will now because the celebrated Catalan restaurant closed in July 2011.
It was restaurant founders, Ferran Adrià and Juli Soler, who are credited with changing culinary history by reworking ingredients with great creativity and innovation. Adrià has frequently been named the world’s greatest chef and elBulli topped the listing of the world’s best restaurant five times. So, why close?
elBulli has now transmogrified to become the elBulliFoundation, an experimental centre looking at the process of innovation and creativity and sharing the results via the new website, Bullipedia. Hence, with the closing of the restaurant comes the sale, in two separate auctions, of a remarkable cellar of fine wines.
Sotheby’s informs us: “The auctions will present collectors all over the world with an opportunity to acquire the wines from his restaurant, some of which were labeled exclusively for the three Michelin star establishment.”
During the two sales, 8,807 bottles will be offered, with proceeds benefiting the elBulliFoundation, which will focus its activity on “creativity”.
Ferran Adrià, says: “The elBulliCellar comprises an exceptional and unique collection of wines, that was created and developed by Juli Soler and the elBulli sommelier team (Agustí Peris, Eloi Sànchez, Isabelle Brunet, Lucas Payà, David Seijas and Ferran Centelles).
Due the transformation of elBulli, from a restaurant to a Foundation, we decided this very special and personal collection should be used to make a founding contribution to help ensure the successful launch of the elBulliFoundation. In order to make this possible, we contacted Sotheby’s, who have already shown themselves to be a very special and enthusiastic partner, immediately understanding the purpose of the elBulliFoundation.
Thanks to Sotheby’s, we now have a wonderful objective: to raise funds for the elBulliFoundation. Both personally, and on behalf of all the elBulliFoundation team, I would like to thank collectors all over the world for their contributions. Also, my special thanks to Juli Soler—this story would never have been possible without his work and dedication during all these years.”
Serena Sutcliffe M.W., Head of International Wine Department at Sotheby’s, comments: “Those of us lucky enough to have dined at elBulli will never forget the extraordinary sensations laid before us. There was both an explosive genius about the food and a calm, professional way in which it was delivered… We are delighted to be able to bring these wines to auction so collectors all over the world can share the enchantment of elBulli.”
Here are some auction highlights
Spain
Over 2,000 bottles of Spanish wine estimated at over $200,000-300,000 including nearly 100 bottles and six different vintages of Vega Sicilia “Unico” from 1987-1996; 7 different vintages of Vega Sicilia Valbuena from 1995-2002; 9 different vintages and 157 bottles of Pingus; 6 different vintages of Clos Erasmus; 4 different vintages of Clos Mogador; over 225 bottles from Bodegas Artadi, featuring their Grandes Añadas and Pagos Viejos; 8 different vintages of Alvaro Palacios’ Finca Dofi from 1994-2007; 13 different vintages of Alvaro Palacios’ L’Ermita from 1993-2007.
Rhone
415 bottles from Château de Beaucastel, including 8 vintages of Château de Beaucastel Blanc; 8 vintages of Château de Beaucastel Blanc Vieilles Vignes; 13 vintages of Château de Beaucastel Rouge from 1983-2004 featuring bottles, magnums, and Jeroboams; 4 vintages of Château de Beaucastel, Hommage à Jacques Perrin featuring bottles and magnums.
Further highlights include multiple vintages of Hermitage from J.L.Chave, Hermitage, La Chapelle from Paul Jaboulet Aîné and Côte Rôtie, La Landonne, La Mouline and La Turque from Guigal.
Bordeaux
All five First Growths are present in multiple vintages highlighted by full cases of bottles and magnums of Château Latour 2005.
Over 20 Duclot Groupe Assortment cases from 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007, all available in parcel quantities.
5 vintages of Yquem from 1989-2001 featuring 5 different formats.
Red burgundy
Over 1,400 bottles estimated at $340,000-486,000 including over 124 bottles of DRC including 7 vintages of Echézeaux; 5 vintages of Grands Echézeaux; 5 vintages of Richebourg; 7 vintages of Romanée St. Vivant; 7 vintages of La Tâche; 5 vintages of Romanée Conti, including three bottles of 1990.
Over 500 bottles of Lucien Le Moine including Romanée St. Vivant, Richebourg and Mazis Chambertin featuring multiple vintages, formats and parcel quantities of Pommard, Hospices de Beaune, Cuvée Dames de la Charité, Corton Clos du Roi, Hospices de Beaune, Cuvée Baronne du Bay.
Many additional offerings from other standout producers including Bouchard Père et Fils, Domaine Leroy, Méo-Camuzet, Marquis d’Angerville, Domaine des Comtes Lafon.
The highest value lot in the sale is given as 3 bottles of Domaine de la Romanée Conti, Romanée Conti 1990, est. $32,500-47,500.
White burgundy
Over 1,000 bottles estimated at $166,000-228,000 including 28 bottles of Montrachet from DRC from 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004.
Over 600 bottles of Lucien Le Moine including Corton Charlemagne, Chevalier Montrachet and including multiple vintages, formats and parcel quantities, such as Corton Vergennes, Hospices de Beaune, Cuvée Paul Chanson.
Many additional offerings from other standout producers such as Domaine Leflaive, Maison Henri Boillot, Domaine des Comtes Lafon.
Other highlights
1,300 bottles of Vin de Pays de l’Hérault, Domaine de la Grange des Pères available in parcel quantities from vintages spanning 1992 to 2001. Multiple offerings of rare Oloroso and Solera Sherry dating back to 1830. 70 bottles of Silex and Pur Sang from the late Didier Dagueneau.
