The Epicurean’s Atlas, an extraordinary series of five dedicated Sotheby’s auctions, will showcase 25,000 bottles from the remarkable wine collection of Pierre Chen. This event kicks off in Hong Kong on November 24-25. George Lacey, Head of Sotheby’s Wine, Asia, describes it as “the greatest sale series of a single-owner wine collection that the market has ever seen,” underscoring the unparalleled nature of Chen's collection, which has been meticulously assembled over four decades.
At auction until November 2024
The series will continue with themed auctions in Beaune, Paris, New York, and Hong Kong until November 2024. Each auction will focus on specific types of wine or aspects of Chen's collection, with the entire series expected to realize around US$50 million. Chen, known for his extensive art collection, approaches wine with the same discerning eye, collecting wines based on love and appreciation rather than market potential.
Nick Pegna, Sotheby’s Global Head of Wine & Spirits, highlights Chen’s philosophy of wine as an art form, emphasizing that Chen’s collection is not merely about investment but about the sensory and communal experiences wine can offer. This perspective is evident in the variety and depth of the collection, which includes significant proportions of Champagne and Burgundy, among other regions.
The first auction, titled The Encyclopaedic Cellar, will feature a comprehensive selection of wines from Chen’s cellars. Highlights include rare and mature Burgundies, exceptional Champagnes from the 1950s and ’60s, and iconic Bordeaux such as the 1947 Cheval Blanc. Subsequent auctions will continue to explore the breadth of Chen’s collection, with each sale promising unique and high-quality wines, providing opportunities for collectors and enthusiasts to experience the legacy Chen has built.
