euhoe ! “ we have a dream…”
b
ack in November 2015, when we founded Baghera Wines, our ambition was to create a unique, new, specialized auction house dedicated solely to the most fabulous wines in the world… A child’s dream of a modern temple erected to the glory of Bacchusian followers, a haven, a cabin under the twirling ivy plant — a treasure-trove. The place-to-be if you adore the most exquisite nectars of the vine ! A year has passed, already, and here we are, writing to you. It has been an enthralling and challenging year, busy with us building, inventing, modeling and tailoring our offer and services with always one main concern : you. Clients, vendors and buyers, collectors, winemakers, Domaines, investors, guests and friends — dreaming up our events with you in mind has been enthusing, imagining your pleasure and excitement has been inspiring, trimming our catalogues to the very best of the best for you was our spur. The past year has seen us welcoming you “ in our house ”, for two major room auctions, many an online “Wine o’clock” (which we hope you enjoy as much as we do) with a total of more than 13,000 bottles sold overall, and numerous masterclasses, during which, together, we have discovered rare aromas and shared compelling chapters of wine-loving. Along this early path, your worldwide companionship has been precious, making us – already – the leading fi ne wine auctioneer in Switzerland and one of the major leaders in Europe. We are lucky and measure our fortune. Thankyou ! This coming year, we will dream onward and strive on to offer you still more newness, sensitivity and expertise, connecting through our common amazement at what makes wine so magical and priceless. Thanks to your faith in us, your enthusiasm and your participation, Baghera Wines is right there, where the donkey and the panther rest — under the twirling ivy plant. # * from Ancient Greek εὐοῖ (euoî), εὐοἵ (euhoí). A shout of joy at the festivals of Bacchus.
To listen to Michael's editorial, scan the QR code with your smartphone
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*
thankyou ! leading Swiss wine auctioneer in 2016
f
ounded at the end of 2015 by three passionate experts, Baghera Wines concludes its first financial year with a turnover of more than 10 million Swiss Francs and has succeeded in establishing a large number of price records within the privy realm of fine wine auctioneering. Beyond the figures, Baghera Wines’ success is deeply connected to our passion for wine, our respect for the values it conveys, and to the dedication we seek to express at each of our auctions. Baghera Wines’ team employs the extensive array of their skills and knowledge, acquired over many years in the wine business, to achieve outstanding auctions and design personalized and exceptional events. As specialized fi ne wine auctioneers, we are most lucky to enjoy the everyday opportunity of working in close contact with our clients around the globe and we have at heart to guide them in every aspect of their collections and quests. Consigning with Baghera Wines is a simple, confidential and flexible way to sell your wine collection, and we are proud to propose excellence and one-to-one expertise. We are thrilled to witness that Baghera Wines – within one year only – has become the undisputed fi ne wine auctioneer in Switzerland, ahead of a number of historic auction houses, and a key player in the highly challenging world of international auction houses. Our fi rst edition of “ time to B wine ” is a perfect excuse for us all at Baghera Wines to thank you all for your trust and enthusiasm during our fi rst year of existence. Long live Bacchus and may he joyfully inspirit us for many years to come. #
inaugural year A L L SA L E S TOTA L
10,029,132
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The Triumph of Bacchus, Cornelis de Vos Š Museo Nacional del Prado, Madrid
between you & us
chronicle
authenticity
of a passionate amateur
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the inside story
e wine professionals know that authenticity and provenance are the two key issues of our business environment. Over the past years, the industry has been badly soiled by many infamous stories about counterfeit wines, and it has now become an everyday struggle between forgers and wine experts. At Baghera Wines, we draw on the entirety of our resources to verify the provenance and check the authenticity of every single bottle that comes to us for auction. Our methodological approach is the result of 30 years experience within international wine auctions where our eyes have been extensively trained. These expertise skills are combined and completed with the intervention of independent wine experts when any doubts remain on the authentification. In a spirit of full transparency towards our buying clients, high-resolution photographs of every single bottle offered for sale are available on our website prior the auction and we apply the prooftag™ technology over auctioned bottles whenever necessary. Last, but not least, we are lucky to work closely with Châteaux and Domaines owners in order to share information. Only recently did we collaborate with the Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, who examined with us, in Geneva, a stock of 1407 bottles from our “ Master Cellar ” auction that fetched CHF 4,2 million in May 2016 (still one of the most significant range of DRC offered at auction). At Baghera Wines, it is our unwavering commitment to offer the most extraordinary wines with the highest level of guarantee as to quality and provenance. #
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e have known Mr V. for over a decade now. An impassioned Swiss wine-lover and seasoned wine collector, Mr V. is an Epicurean above all. His treasured underground cellar is the vault to many sought-after wines and coveted bottles from highly esteemed producers worldwide. On our numerous occasional visits, Mr V. has unexpectedly opened outstanding wines which we have all shared in perfect simplicity, whilst exchanging views on our respective recent wine discoveries. Back in the winter of 2015, when Mr V. missioned us to sell a large number of bottles from his sublime underground cellar, we had the tremendous pleasure to share a bottle of Yquem 1876 opened “ out of the blue ” ! Our mutual enthusiasm and curiosity have allowed us to knit a trusting relationship along the years, and to act for Mr V. beyond our prerogatives : selling his wines at auction, purchasing great bottles to complete an ongoing-collection, sharing tips and news on tastings, storage, innovations… This long-term friendly bond with Mr V. as with all of our clients, is for us, wine professionals and wine enthusiasts, the best reward ever. #
To listen to Julie's chronicle, scan the QR code with your smartphone
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bacchus’ corner
tastings
the blog
the taste budsʼ voyage
“s
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haring always more wine passion with our clients and friends ” is Baghera Wines’ credo. Our regular wine tastings organized in Geneva are the rendez-vous of discerned amateurs and wine-lovers. In 2016, the team, together with the presence of Dominique Fornage, put together a large array of masterclasses : the 10 “Garrafeira” vintages produced by Niepoort, a vertical of the illustrious Henschke “Hill of Grace” cuvée, a superb 1929-1948 Massandra tasting, a vertical of Krug “Vintage” from 1976 to 2003 and two Sake versus Burgundy and Champagne discovery -tastings hosted by Gautier Roussille as a fi nal chapter to these 2016 prestigious wine events. The watchwords for these tailor-made evenings : discovery, pleasure, exception. 2017 will hold even more surprises, such as two unique Richebourg and Quinta do Noval “Nacional” verticals. # More information on www.bagherawines.com
something to read…
aghera Wines’ eager team feverishly launched their offical blog last September. This new “room” in our “house”, hosted on our website at www.bagherawines.com is, needless to say, devoted to “Wine”, in more than one way. Baghera Wines’ team as a whole merrily contributes to this blog by pouring out their souls and thoughts about terroir-driven wines, spirits, wine auction news, personal anecdotes, graphic design in the Bagherian sphere, and so much more… This intimate cabinet of curiosities explores the intersection of wine, business and art, offering a variety of perspectives, whether ardent amateur or accomplished wine professional. This weeklyupdated platform dedicated to the wine world is a refreshing and open-minded reading, strongly committed to sharing stories, feelings and to revealing the people behind wine. # www.bagherawines.com/en/blog/
To visit our website, scan the QR code with your smartphone
To visit our blog, scan the QR code with your smartphone
264,000
144,000
lot 4 — “ burgundies, whiskies ” domaine henri jayer — richebourg 1985 12 bottles
lot 71 — “ master cellar ” domaine de la romanée-conti — romanée-conti 1988 12 bottles
216,000
132,000
lot 1 — “ burgundies, whiskies ” domaine henri jayer — richebourg 1978 6 bottles
lot 600 — “ master cellar ” us california, napa valley — screaming eagle 1992 6 magnums
chf 360,000 — lot 577 — “ burgundies, whiskies ” — hanyu, ishiro’s malt card — whisky, single malt — 58 bottles
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consign with us !
in 3 simple steps you dream, we design, you choose. place de montbrillant 19, 1201 geneva, switzerland
tel + 41 22 910 46 30 Phone us !
office@bagherawines.com
Email us !
www.bagherawines.com | www.bagherawines.auction Credits — Editors : Michael Ganne, Julie Carpentier, Olivia Bouët-Willaumez — Illustrations : ©Museo Nacional del Prado, D.R. & O’collectif — Art direction & layout : Olivia Bouët-Willaumez (O’collectif) Printed by Manufacture d’Histoires Deux-Ponts (38320 Bresson, FR) in January 2017 — Baghera Wines Auction & Trading SA — All rights reserved, 2017