Highlights will include a bottle of 1874 Lafite-Rothschild re-conditioned by the Château and a “pristine” bottle of 1900 Château Margaux.
According to its launch announcement, the company will operate as “a full service auction firm focussing on wine, serving both private customers and the trade. In addition to to sales, Edward Roberts International will also offer curatorial, appraisal and private consultation services to individuals and institutions, as well as presenting a range of educational seminars and tastings.” The company will be primarily based in Chicago at 60 East Chestnut Street, Suite 410, Chicago, Illinois 60611, but will also have an office in London at 56 Gloucester Road, Suite 509, London SW7 4UB. The Website address is www.eriwine.com.
Christie’s wine sales are also on the move. September 24 saw Christie’s City (10% buyer’s premium) hold their inaugural sale in the historic Old Library within Richard Rogers’ hi-tech Lloyd’s Building.
Thomas Hudson, Head of Christie’s European Wine sales, describes the move as “a real opportunity to maximise the potential for our City wine sales by bringing auctions to an existing and historical market place and hub of activity”. Good quality claret for current drinking tends to be the focus of these City sales and at Christie’s inaugural sale at the Lloyd’s Building, held on September 24 the event was led by the relatively modest £1250 (estimate £1400-1800) paid for a case of six magnums of Château Lafite-Rothschild 1990.
New growth in Chicago
The imminent cessation of all sales – including wine – at Sotheby’s Chicago has left a gap in the Mid-West market that newly-established wine auctioneers Edward Roberts International are keen to fill. Brainchild of Edward Robert Brooks, the much-travelled head of Christie’s and the short-lived Phillips’ North American wine departments, Edward Roberts will mount their first live sale of fine and rare wines at The Union League Club of Chicago on Saturday, November 10.
