Sotheby’s last wine sale of the year in Hong Kong achieved HK$29.6 million, about US$3.8 million. Hermitage La Chapelle was, unsurprisingly, the star.

The two-day sale took place on December 7 and 8 and was the first of its kind to be held in Sotheby’s new gallery in Hong Kong at Pacific Place, Admiralty.

Hermitage La Chapelle from the 1949 to 2009 vintages was part of the sale of “Finest and Rarest Wines" that took place on the second day. The bottles were direct from the cellars ofPaul Jaboulet Aîné.

The iconic Hermitage La Chapelle 1961 vintage was the most sought-after, achieving HK$171,500 per bottle, or an average of HK$21,500 (US$2,750) per glass. Domaine de la Romanée-Conti 1995 fetched the second-highest price at HK$343,000 for three liters.

The first sale on December 7 was “Magnificent Bordeaux,” which achieved HK$13.1 million. The top four lots are all Château Petrus, with the highest price fetched by 12 bottles of 2000 vintage at HK$416,500. Following it is HK$245,000 for 12 bottles from 20o5 vintage, and HK$183,750 for a dozen of the 2003 vintage. Château Lafiteand Château Haut-Brion were also top sellers. The wines were direct from a private European collection.