Tilson’s Legendary Cellar Propels Oct Auction to $7M!
Tilson's Legendary Cellar
Propels Oct Auction to $7M!
The Last of a Great American Collection
Delaware - October 21, 2024
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Three Top Lots in the October DE Auction:
Lot 1260: 6 bottles 1996 H. Jayer Vosne Romanee Cros Parantoux
Lot 1369: 6 bottles 1990 DRC La Tache in OWC
Lot 863, 879: 1 bottle each 1941 Inglenook Claret & Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
Acker’s monumental October US auction took place on Wednesday and Thursday, October 16 & 17, headlined by The Last of a Great American Collection: The Exceptional Cellar of John Tilson. This expansive 800-lot offering, the largest from Tilson’s cellar to date and the final live auction of his legendary collection, propelled the two-day auction to an impressive $7M in sales and 156 New World Records. Tilson’s passion for classic California wines was on full display for eager bidders, featuring more than 250 iconic selections from his cellar—one of the most significant presentations of California classics ever offered at auction. California wines contributed 55 New World Records, with all but two coming from Tilson’s collection. In total, Tilson’s offering achieved an extraordinary 100 New World Records.
The Top Ten Lots of the sale, however, were dominated by Red Burgundy. Taking the number one spot were twelve bottles of 2000 H. Jayer Vosne Romanee Cros Parantoux, which sold for $125,000. In second place, five bottles of 2000 Domaine de la Romanee Conti Romanee Conti fetched $81,250. Jayer returned to claim third with six bottles of 1996 Vosne Romanee Cros Parantoux, selling for $62,500. Six bottles of 1990 DRC La Tache in OWC and two bottles of 1999 DRC Romanee Conti secured the fourth and fifth positions, achieving $47,500 and $37,500, respectively. Bordeaux made its sole appearance at sixth place, where twelve bottles of 1959 Chateau Latour tied with a magnum of 1999 and a magnum of 2001 H. Jayer Vosne Romanee Cros Parantoux, each selling for $35,000. Rounding out the Top Ten was another magnum of 2001 H. Jayer Vosne Romanee Cros Parantoux and six bottles of 2000 DRC La Tache, both realizing $32,500.
California highlights from The Exceptional Cellar of John Tilson included a rare 1941 Inglenook Claret, setting a New World Record at $11,250, and another historic gem, the 1978 Diamond Creek Lake, selling for $8,125. Ridge Vineyards' legendary 1971s saw a bottle of Eisele reach $6,000, while a Monte Bello fetched $4,750, marking yet another New World Record. Other standouts included four bottles of 1969 Heitz Martha’s Vineyard at $8,125 and a 6-liter of 1991 Dominus in OWC achieving $6,875. Four bottles of 1974 Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon achieved $6,250 and a magnum of 1974 Mayacamas Cabernet commanded $5,250, both setting New World Records. In total, 24 All-Time Highs were set for Diamond Creek, 10 for Inglenook, and 9 for Ridge.
“Having tasted dozens of wines from John’s collection over the years, including many of my most thrilling California experiences, it’s no surprise that the market turned out in droves to bid on John’s wines,” remarked Acker Chairman John Kapon. “This superb selection from his collection is bittersweet for us, as we’re sad to see it go but also excited to find new homes for so many of his wines. John Tilson will always be a true American wine legend and inspired an entire generation of wine collectors – thank you John for your service! We’re now on our way to Singapore for a Golden Week of Wine, featuring epic dinners and events culminating in our Anniversary Auction at the majestic Marina Bay Sands on Saturday October 26. Shortly after, we have our exclusive rare Chartreuse auction November 9, and of course, the annual Birthday Auction on November 21-22, which includes a week’s worth of events that are definitely worth a trip to New York City. Let me know if you’ll be there!”
Acker's 2024 auction season continues with The Singapore Anniversary Auction on Saturday, October 26, a special auction of rare Chartreuse on Saturday, November 9 and the annual Birthday Auction Thursday and Friday November 20-21. Consignments are being accepted for December auctions, with weekly web auction deadlines every Friday. For more information, email info@ackerwines.com
Highlights from the October Delaware Auction
LOT | QTY | WINE | PRICE (USD) |
6 | 12 btl | 1961 Chateau Figeac | $17,500 |
9 | 3 mag | 1961 Chateau Gruaud Larose | $10,000 |
44 | 1 mag | 2009 Pierre-Yves Colin Morey Montrachet | $4,000 |
77 | 1 mag | 1959 Chateau Latour | $10,625 |
91 | 1 btl | 1949 Chateau Pichon Lalande | $1,063 |
121 | 1 mag | 2005 Dujac Chambertin in OWC | $7,500 |
181 | 1 btl | 2007 DRC Montrachet | $9,375 |
199 | 3 btl | 2014 Ramonet Montrachet | $16,250 |
225 | 1 mag | 1928 Chateau Calon Segur | $4,000 |
335 | 1 btl | 1949 Clair Dau Bonnes Mares | $3,000 |
336 | 1 btl | 1953 Clair Dau Bonnes Mares | $2,750 |
345 | 1 btl | 1949 Comte de Vogue Musigny Vieilles Vignes | $5,625 |
355 | 1 mag | 2002 Comte Liger-Belair Vosne Romanee Aux Reignots | $4,750 |
390 | 1 btl | 1944 DRC Romanee Conti | $20,000 |
392 | 1 btl | 1978 DRC Romanee Conti | $20,000 |
426 | 1 btl | 1989 Dujac Bonnes Mares | $3,750 |
432 | 1 mag | 1961 Maison Leroy La Romanee | $8,125 |
473 | 1 btl | 1949 J. Drouhin Chambertin Clos de Beze | $5,250 |
480 | 1 btl | 1971 J. Gros Richebourg | $3,250 |
541 | 2 btl | 1953 R. Arnoux Romanee St. Vivant | $4,000 |
595 | 1 btl | 1979 Coche-Dury Meursault Charmes | $4,750 |
638 | 1 mag | 2004 Pierre-Yves Colin Morey Chevalier Montrachet | $2,500 |
656 | 1 btl | 1979 Trollat Saint Joseph | $1,250 |
723 | 2 mag | 1978 Diamond Creek Gravelly Meadow | $5,625 |
737 | 1 btl | 1978 Diamond Creek Lake | $8,125 |
745 | 1 6-liter | 1984 Diamond Creek Lake | $7,500 |
790 | 6 btl | 1974 Diamond Creek Volcanic Hill | $6,875 |
794 | 8 btl | 1978 Diamond Creek Volcanic Hill | $12,500 |
816 | 1 6-liter | 1991 Dominus in OWC | $6,875 |
821 | 4 btl | 1974 Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon | $6,250 |
827 | 1 mag | 1968 Gemello Cabernet Sauvignon | $3,000 |
840 | 4 btl | 1969 Heitz Cellars Martha's Vineyard | $8,125 |
848 | 1 btl | 1933 Inglenook Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley | $4,750 |
863 | 1 btl | 1941 Inglenook Claret | $11,250 |
870 | 6 btl | 1958 Inglenook Classic Claret | $6,875 |
879 | 1 btl | 1941 Inglenook Cabernet Sauvignon Estate | $12,500 |
887 | 2 mag | 1977 Joseph Phelps Eisele Vineyard | $4,000 |
892 | 3 btl | 1970 Mayacamas Cabernet Sauvignon | $6,875 |
894 | 1 mag | 1974 Mayacamas Cabernet Sauvignon | $5,250 |
900 | 1 btl | 1971 Ridge Eisele Vineyard | $6,000 |
910 | 1 btl | 1971 Ridge Monte Bello | $4,750 |
1033 | 12 btl | 1959 Chateau Latour | $35,000 |
1035 | 12 btl | 1970 Chateau Latour | $7,500 |
1049 | 1 btl | 1991 A. Rousseau Chambertin | $9,375 |
1070 | 1 mag | 2015 Domaine Bizot Vosne Romanee Les Jachees | $4,750 |
1106 | 1 mag | 2017 C. Morey Criots Batard Montrachet | $1,750 |
1109 | 10 btl | 1990 Domaine Leflaive Chevalier Montrachet in OCB | $25,000 |
1149 | 3 btl | 1990 Soldera Brunello di Montalcino Casse Basse | $5,625 |
1150 | 3 mag | 1988 Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia | $6,875 |
1159 | 1 mag | 1985 Ramonet Montrachet | $18,750 |
1176 | 2 btl | 2022 C. Thiriet Clos Vougeot | $1,000 |
1179 | 2 btl | 1961 Chateau La Mission Haut Brion | $10,000 |
1180 | 2 btl | 1959 Chateau Latour | $9,375 |
1190 | 4 btl | 1990 J.L. Chave Hermitage | $8,750 |
1191 | 4 btl | 1991 J.L. Chave Hermitage | $8,750 |
1200 | 12 half-btl | 2002 Dujac Clos de la Roche | $11,250 |
1248 | 1 btl | 1985 H. Jayer Richebourg | $25,000 |
1260 | 6 btl | 1996 H. Jayer Vosne Romanee Cros Parantoux | $62,500 |
1262 | 1 mag | 1999 H. Jayer Vosne Romanee Cros Parantoux | $35,000 |
1263 | 12 btl | 2000 H. Jayer Vosne Romanee Cros Parantoux | $125,000 |
1264 | 1 mag | 2001 H. Jayer Vosne Romanee Cros Parantoux | $35,000 |
1340 | 1 Jero | 1990 Chateau Le Pin | $25,000 |
1349 | 4 btl | 1959 Chateau Mouton Rothschild | $16,250 |
1362 | 1 Meth | 2000 DRC Echezeaux | $21,250 |
1369 | 6 btl | 1990 DRC La Tache in OWC | $47,500 |
1372 | 6 btl | 2000 DRC La Tache in banded OWC | $32,500 |
1380 | 2 btl | 1999 DRC Romanee Conti | $37,500 |
1381 | 5 btl | 2000 DRC Romanee Conti | $81,250 |
1501 | 1 Meth | 2006 Dujac Clos de la Roche in OWC | $11,875 |
1744 | 12 btl | 2016 Bryant Family Cabernet Sauvignon | $6,875 |
1754 | 1 double mag | 2014 Colgin Red IX Estate in OWC | $1,750 |