Acker Merrall & Condit's first wine auction in 2012 achieves a total of HK$66.86 million/US$8.57 million

21 New World Records Set to Start the New Year Including:

NEW YORK, Jan 16, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- --Double Magnum of 1870 Lafite Rothschild

--Magnums of 1999 Romanee-Conti

--1993 Leroy Chambertin

--Superlot of Screaming Eagle

Acker Merrall & Condit, the world's leading wine auctioneer and America's oldest fine wine merchant, held its first 2012 Hong Kong sale on 13 & 14 January and achieved a total of HK$66,865,760/US$8,572,333 and was 90.34%. An exceptional selection of nearly 1,000 lots of the world's most sought-after wines saw continued demand and interest from bidders all over the world.

John Kapon, CEO of Acker Merrall & Condit Companies, commented after the sale: "2011 marked a significant milestone in our history as we achieved the global Triple Crown -- #1 in Asia, #1 in America, and #1 in the World. We are delighted by the market response to our first sale in 2012, which provided a great start to the New Year. Despite the distractions of economic uncertainty, Chinese New Year and record volume in the wine auction market, buyers still showed that they want their fine and rare wine, and they want it from Acker. We look forward to continuing our global leadership role in the market."

SALE HIGHLIGHTS

Burgundy fetched strong prices throughout the sale demonstrating its growing appeal in the Asian market. The top lot of the sale was an original wooden 12-bottle case of 1985 DRC Romanee Conti, which fetched HK$1,464,000/US$187,692 (Lot 334).

A world record was also achieved for magnums of 1999 DRC Romanee Conti, three magnums of which sold for HK$634,400/US$81,333 (Lot 908). Another significant world record for Burgundy was set by a very rare original case of 1993 Leroy Chambertin (HK$268,400/US$34,410, Lot 912).

AN 1870 LAFITE ROTHSCHILD DOUBLE MAGNUM

Also of note was a very rare, documented double magnum of 1870 Lafite with superb provenance that fetched HK$488,000/US$62,564 (Lot 843), setting a new world record. This incredible bottle represents one of the most legendary vintages of all-time in Bordeaux and is perhaps the last of its kind in the world.

SCREAMING EAGLE SUPERLOT

An instant collection of California's most collectible wine, Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon, spanning seven rare vintages and 42 bottles in all, attracted spirited bidding and sold for a remarkable price of HK$829,600/US$106,359 (Lot 377), achieving a world record for the most expensive lot of Screaming Eagle ever sold at a commercial auction.

DIRECT FROM CHATEAU PALMER

The sale also offered an opportunity for connoisseurs to acquire a special selection of wines coming directly from the cellars of Chateau Palmer. The star lot consisted of recent 2010, spanning the entire range of bottle sizes that have ever been produced at the Chateau, from a half-bottle all the way up to a Balthazar, of which only very few have been produced annually. Also, here and for the first and only time in the history of Chateau Palmer, Acker presented a 15-liter bottle, the elusive Nebuchadnezzar, as part of this lot. This unique collection achieved a strong price of HK$136,640/US$17,518 (Lot 330).

CHATEAU PETRUS

Chateau Petrus re-asserted itself as Bordeaux's most collectible wine, with strong activity on original wooden cases in multiple formats, such as a 12-bottle case of 2000 Petrus (HK$390,400/US$50,051, Lot 172), 6 magnums of 1989 Petrus (HK$390,400/US$50,051, Lot 728) and 6 magnums of 1990 Petrus (HK$390,400/US$50,051, Lot 731).

Acker Merrall will conduct its next auction in Chicago on January 28th at the Elysian Hotel and in New York on March 3rd at Marea Restaurant. The next Hong Kong auction will be held on March 30th and 31st.

About Acker Merrall & Condit

Founded in 1820, Acker Merrall & Condit is America's oldest fine wine merchant and the world's largest wine auction house. With operations in New York, Chicago and Hong Kong, the companies hold more than 20 auctions a year, including Internet auctions. They are devoted to helping their customers buy and sell the best wines, and also to sharing with them the experience of enjoying wine. Starting out as a family business, three generations of the Kapon family have been dedicated to bringing the best from the vine to their customers.