Zachys’ Auction of The Jacqueline (de Rothschild) Piatigorsky Collection Quadruples Estimates and Sets 162 World Records

 

New York, NY – September 23rd, 2025: Zachys achieved historic results on September 19th at The Pool in New York City, where a full house of collectors, connoisseurs, and international press, alongside hundreds of online bidders from 17 countries, drove prices to unprecedented levels. The Collection of Jacqueline (de Rothschild) Piatigorsky realized $11,160,375 versus a pre-auction estimate of $2,760,000. The auction was 100% sold, setting an astonishing 162 World Records.

Including the prior day’s multi-vendor auction, Zachys’ two-day total reached $17,163,925, with more than 98% of lots sold. This landmark auction will go down in history as one of the all-time greats, reaffirming Zachys’ position as the leader in fine wine auctions.

History was made within the first minutes, when the opening 35 lots set World Records. Intense bidding online and in the packed New York saleroom drove prices to new heights as collectors competed for pieces of vinous history. The auction began with Châteaux Branaire-Ducru, Brane-Cantenac, Cheval Blanc, Cos d’Estournel and even three bottles of 1875 Giscours, which realized $106,250, a record by a wide margin for Giscours. The first First Growth of the day, a three-bottle lot of 1899 Haut-Brion, prompted auctioneer Charles Antin to remark, “this is the last time you will see this wine ever again,” before hammering it down for a World Record price of $100,000. The very next lot surpassed it, with another three-pack of 1899 Haut-Brion selling for $106,250.

The sale continued through 177 lots of Lafite-Rothschild, with 498 bottles and large formats selling for $6.49 million. After a rare offering of Lafite Blanc - a wine not produced at Lafite-Rothschild since the 1960s—the auction concluded as it had begun: with world-record prices, this time for 11 lots of Sauternes from Climens, La Tour Blanche, Rayne Vigneau, and Suduiraut. Bidders from across North America, Europe, and Asia competed vigorously for wines from more than 20 Châteaux, which had never left Pauillac prior to this auction.

The Top Ten World-Record Breaking Lots

Lot	Wine	Format	QTY	Price Realized (USD)
2098	Château Lafite-Rothschild 1870	Magnum	1	$387,500
2112	Château Lafite-Rothschild 1878	Double-Magnum	1	$312,500**
2093	Château Lafite-Rothschild 1869	Magnum	1	$231,250
2094	Château Lafite-Rothschild 1869	Magnum	1	$225,000
2092	Château Lafite-Rothschild 1869	Magnum	1	$212,500
2097	Château Lafite-Rothschild 1870	Bottle	1	$187,500
2030	Château Latour 1900	Bottle	6	$175,000
2039	Château Latour 1900	Magnum	3	$175,000
2096	Château Lafite-Rothschild 1870	Bottle	1	$175,000
2037	Château Latour 1900	Magnum	3	$168,750

 

A Collection of Unparalleled Provenance

Mme. Jacqueline (de Rothschild) Piatigorsky, granddaughter of the purchaser of Château Lafite in 1868, held a collection of unmatched rarity and provenance. All of the wines were acquired on release and stored in Pauillac ever since. Mme. de Rothschild had never sold wine from her collection. The collection was entrusted to Zachys thanks to its reputation built over more than eight decades as a leading wine retailer and auction house, and longstanding, trusted partnership with Château Lafite-Rothschild.

A Landmark Evening for Zachys

Eileen Rizzo, Zachys CEO, remarked: “The results of this landmark auction speak volumes about both the unparalleled provenance of Mme. Jacqueline (de Rothschild) Piatigorsky’s collection and the trust collectors around the world place in Zachys. To have achieved over $11 million quadrupling the high estimate and to set 162 World Records in a single day is nothing short of historic. This auction not only reaffirms Zachys’ leadership in the fine wine market, but also celebrates our longstanding partnership with Château Lafite-Rothschild and the global community of collectors who continue to make moments like this possible. We are proud to have delivered results that will be remembered as one of the all-time greats in wine auction history.”

Charles Antin, Global Head of Wine Auctions comments, “This auction was truly a pinnacle of my wine-auction career. At every step in the process, from the time I first saw the inventory on paper, decades ago, to inspection of the bottles in Pauillac with my colleagues earlier this year, we knew we were making wine-auction history. It was gratifying to see so many of our collector friends and clients respond to what was truly a once-in-a-lifetime offering of unmatched
provenance. Really, though, the success of this auction is a testament to the strength of the Zachys auction team who understood the importance of this collection and delivered stunning results to the family. I would be remiss if I didn’t point out that part I of the two day auction, our “Inaugural Delaware” sale was one of the most successful auctions we’ve had in 18 months with prices 34% over our pre-auction estimates. Our move to Delaware, coupled with offering the best wines in the industry, has resulted in strong results for our consignors. Do not miss out on the fall season.”

With worldwide participation, headline-worthy hammer prices, and an atmosphere charged with anticipation, Zachys’ September 19th auction set a new standard for global wine sales.