Acker Merrall & Condit Online Auction Digest: Mixed Results in Week 40

Market Pulse

Acker Merrall Condit sale realized $488,088. Analysis covers 997 of 2,950 offered lots. Whole-sale sell-through was 38.1%. The analyzed lots account for $465,906 of realized value. Average equivalent bottle price across analyzed lots was $176.53. Whole-sale realized value per offered lot was $165.45 including unsold lots in the denominator. The median sale total across 6 prior auctions from this provider in USD was $721,750. 63 analyzed lots exceeded their observed comparable-price highs in the preceding 360-day history window.

Estimate Performance

Of 997 analyzed lots with hammer prices and both estimates, 70 (7.0%) finished above estimates, 479 (48.0%) within, and 448 (44.9%) below. All percentages use this same sample. Hammer prices exclude buyer premium.

Acker Merrall & Condit Online Auction Digest: Week 40

Acker Merrall & Condit's September 28 Online Auction, concluding on October 5, 2026, presented a broad selection of wines, with 2,950 total lots offered. The auction's performance indicated a market with pockets of strength but also areas of caution, as evidenced by the proportion of lots selling below or within their estimates.

Notable Lots

The auction featured several lots that significantly deviated from their recent price history. The Tor Red Black Magic 2017 achieved a bottle price of $333.33, far exceeding its estimate of $900-$1,200 and marking a high for the 360-day history window. Similarly, the Domaine Joliet Fixin Clos de la Perriere 2012 sold for $79.17 per bottle, significantly above its recent median of $49.65. The Aubert Vineyards Chardonnay Powder House Vineyard 2020 also performed strongly, realizing $156.25 per bottle against estimates of $350-$500, and exceeding its recent maximum of $126.50. Conversely, some lots did not command expected prices. For instance, the Graham's Vintage Port 2007, despite strong historical praise, sold for $41.67 per bottle against estimates of $240-$320, and was well below its recent median of $140.40. The Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion 1966 also appeared to underperform relative to its historical potential, selling for $437.50 per bottle, which fell within its recent broad range but was significantly below the high end of $1,015.75.

Aubert Vineyards Chardonnay Powder House Vineyard 2020

The Aubert Vineyards Chardonnay Powder House Vineyard 2020 demonstrated a strong upward price trajectory over the past year. While the current auction lot realized $156.25 per bottle, significantly above its estimate of $350-$500, historical data from trusted auction houses shows a consistent increase. Over the last 365 days, prices for this wine have ranged from a low of $88.00 to a high of $156.25. This recent sale sits at the upper end of its historical performance, indicating sustained demand.

Bollinger Vintage Champagne La Grande Annee 2014

Bollinger's La Grande Année 2014 showed a resurgence in recent sales. The current lot achieved $229.17 per bottle, exceeding its estimate of $600-$800 and surpassing its recent maximum of $220.66 within the 365-day window. Data from trusted auction houses indicates a price range from $85.12 to $229.17 over the past year. This performance suggests a renewed interest and robust market for this vintage of Bollinger.

Hudelot-Noellat Vosne-Romanée Les Suchots 2011

The Hudelot-Noellat Vosne-Romanée Les Suchots 2011 continues to command strong prices. This lot sold for $325.00 per bottle, exceeding its estimate of $240-$320 and marking a high point in its recent auction history. Over the last 365 days, equivalent bottle prices from trusted sources have ranged from $187.50 to $325.00. This consistent performance indicates a stable and appreciated market for this particular vintage and producer.

Aubert Vineyards Chardonnay Sugar Shack 2020

Similar to its Powder House Vineyard counterpart, the Aubert Vineyards Chardonnay Sugar Shack 2020 also showed robust performance. This lot realized $133.33 per bottle against estimates of $200-$280. Over the past 365 days, equivalent bottle prices from major auction houses have fluctuated between $75.00 and $133.33. The current sale reflects the higher end of its recent market value, aligning with a strong demand for premium Chardonnay from this producer.

Domaine des Lambrays Clos des Lambrays 2002

The Domaine des Lambrays Clos des Lambrays 2002 achieved a notable $406.25 per bottle in this auction, exceeding its estimate of $450-$600. This sale sits above its recent median price of $293.61 over the last 365 days, and reached a new high within its recent auction history. The price range over the past year has been between $218.75 and $406.25, demonstrating significant appreciation and strong collector interest for this vintage.

Outlook

The Acker Merrall & Condit Week 40 auction indicates a bifurcated market. While certain high-demand wines, particularly sought-after New World Chardonnays and Burgundy, continue to perform well and achieve record highs within the specified window, a substantial portion of the catalogue struggled to meet expectations. The high percentage of lots selling below estimate suggests that collectors are being selective, potentially waiting for more favorable pricing or focusing on specific producers and vintages. Investors should monitor trends in Burgundy and premium California wines, while exercising caution with broader categories that showed weaker performance in this sale.

Key Takeaways

• Notable overperformers included Tor Red Black Magic 2017 ($333.33/bottle) and Domaine Joliet Fixin Clos de la Perriere 2012 ($79.17/bottle), both achieving record highs within the 360-day window. * Spotlight wines like Aubert Vineyards Chardonnay Powder House Vineyard 2020 and Bollinger La Grande Année 2014 demonstrated strong recent price appreciation. * The overall sale total was below the provider's median for recent auctions, and the number of lots offered was higher than the median. * A cautious market is suggested by the lower sell-through rate and the significant number of lots trading below estimate.