Acker Merrall Condit Post-Auction Digest: December 18 2025

Market Pulse

The Acker Merrall Condit sale on December 18, 2025, concluded with a total realized value of $2,441,085. The auction was smaller in scale compared to the provider's recent history, with the total lots (671) and sale total sitting approximately 45% and 64% below their respective medians from the past year. Despite the reduced volume, the event maintained a 100% sell-through rate, a consistent trend for this provider. The average bottle price for the session was $1,081.75.

Record and Breakout Lots

Burgundy dominated the high-end performance metrics. A significant breakout was observed for the 2005 Chapelle Chambertin J.L. Trapet, which reached $583.33 per bottle, a 125.3% deviation from its recent median of $258.92. Another notable result came from the 2009 Chambolle Musigny Les Amoureuses, G. Roumier, which set a new high of $4,000.00, surpassing its previous maximum of $3,744.07.

In the Champagne category, the 2008 Dom Perignon Vintage Champagne Lady Gaga Limited Edition Rose reached $625.00, a 47.2% increase over the recent median. These results suggest a continued appetite for limited production releases and top-tier grand cru sites.

Spotlight Wines: Price Evolution

Opus One 2002 The 2002 vintage of Opus One reached a record price of $458.33 per bottle in this session. This represents a 26.8% increase over its recent median of $361.35. Looking at the one-year series from major auction houses, prices for this wine have fluctuated, with a low of $304.87 in May 2025 followed by a steady recovery through the autumn months. This latest result is the highest recorded for the vintage within the 365-day window.

Barolo Falletto di Serralunga, Riserva, B. Giacosa 1990 This rare Barolo reached $1,125.00, establishing a new record high. The price sits 17.7% above the recent median of $956.00. Throughout 2025, equivalent bottle prices for this wine remained relatively stable, moving from $1,062.50 in late 2024 to $1,083.33 in September 2025. The December result marks a modest but clear step upward in the valuation of this 1990 Riserva.

Vosne Romanee Domaine Leroy 2004 Domaine Leroy continues to command high premiums, with the 2004 Vosne Romanee hitting a record $4,687.50 per bottle. This is approximately 9.5% above the recent median of $4,278.93. The price history shows a significant recovery from a $2,767.50 result in January 2025, with prices consolidating in the $4,000 to $4,300 range across multiple sales in mid-2025 before achieving this new peak.

Chateau La Mission Haut Brion 1955 The 1955 La Mission Haut Brion realized $6,000.00, performing well within its recent established range of $340.39 to $6,373.33. While not a record, the result is 119.9% above the recent median of $2,727.82, which was influenced by a lower result at Christie's in July. The pricing for this vintage remains sensitive to bottle condition and provenance, as evidenced by the wide range in the 365-day history.

Soft Spots and Bargains

While most lots met or exceeded expectations, some Burgundy and Piedmont lots saw more conservative bidding. The 2005 Gevrey Chambertin Clos St. Jacques, S. Esmonin realized $114.58, which is 57% below its recent median of $266.50. Similarly, the 1970 Barolo Monfortino Riserva, G. Conterno sold for $1,250.00, well below its recent maximum of $3,000.00, although the small sample size of four recent sales makes it difficult to define this as a broader trend.

Outlook

The December sale indicates that while auction volume may be contracting at the end of the year, the sell-through rate remains absolute for Acker Merrall Condit. The high number of records (33) across Napa, Piedmont, and Burgundy suggests that collectors remain focused on blue-chip assets with established track records. The market for aged Bordeaux remains stable, with legacy vintages like 1955 and 1982 continuing to trade near their recent peaks.