James Halliday AM. Photo: Josh Robenstone
Australian wine critic, author and commentator James Halliday AM is selling the last of his wine cellar through an online auction with fine wine auction house Langtons.
This final auction will see 100 lots of Halliday’s personal passion—French producer Domaine Armand Rousseau—up for bidding, with each bottle personally signed by the wine critic himself. The topline collection includes a 1999 Clos des Ruchottes Monopole, Ruchottes-Chambertin, 1976 Clos de la Roche and 1990 Grand Cru, Chambertin.
It’s the second time Halliday has entrusted Langtons with the evaluation and auctioning of his wine collection, with the previous occasion in 2020, where a portion of his cellar (including the single largest collection of DRC that the Australian market had ever seen) was sold through an online auction.
Halliday has confirmed this auction will be the last to clear out the final bottles in his cellar located in the Yarra Valley’s Coldstream Hills while he relocates to Sydney.
“Having long since sold the last of my DRCs, my Rousseaus are the best wines in my cellar, led—of course—by the Chambertins from top vintages. Clos de Beze is a worthy second, Clos de Jacques, the wine often offering outstanding value for money. Rousseau now fills the shoes left by the impossible-to-find DRCs,” said Halliday.
Halliday is Australia’s most notable wine authority, with a career spanning over 30 years resulting in a cellar incomparable to any other in the country. Known for founding the wine publication the Halliday Wine Companion, Halliday was The Australian’s weekly wine columnist from 1978 until his retirement last year. He was also a co-founder of Hunter Valley winery Brokenwood and Yarra Valley winery Coldstream Hills. He became a Member of the Order of Australia for his services to the wine industry in 2010.
Michael Anderson, head of auctions and secondary market at Langtons, said it was “a true pleasure” to be hosting an auction of Halliday’s collection once again.
“James Halliday is undoubtedly the most important person in the Australian wine scene. His commentary, literary works, judging and philanthropy have altered how Australians buy, sell and consume wine,” said Anderson.
Other highlights from the James Halliday Collection – Final Lots include a Billecart-Salmon Cuvee Nicolas Francois Billecart Brut from the exceptional 1996 vintage; a 1997 Dr Loosen Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling-Spatlese; and a 1980 Domaine Clape. Closer to home, Halliday’s collection also includes a House of Arras E.J Carr Late Disgorged Methode Traditionelle 2000 Magnum from Tasmania; 1997 Bindi Block 5 Pinot Noir from the Macedon Ranges; and 1992 vintage Charles Melton Nine Popes Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre from the Barossa Valley.
Each bottle will come complete with a collectable sticker outlining its provenance, with a full list of headlining wines outlined below.
The James Halliday’s Private Collection online auction is now open on the Langtons website and will close at 9pm AEST on Sunday 25th May, providing oenophiles the chance to own unicorn wines collected by one of the nation’s most prominent wine figures.
Headlining wines from the James Halliday Private Collection auction are as follows:
- House of Arras E.J. Carr Late Disgorged Methode Traditionelle, Tasmania 2000 Magnum
- Billecart-Salmon Cuvee Nicolas Francois Billecart Brut, Champagne 1996
- Bindi Block 5 Pinot Noir, Macedon Ranges 1997
- Charles Melton Nine Popes Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre, Barossa Valley 1992
- Chateau de Fonasalette Reserve, Cotes-du-Rhone 1974
- Domaine Armand Rousseau, Clos des Ruchottes Monopole, Ruchottes-Chambertin 1999
- Domaine Armand Rousseau, Clos de la Roche 1976
- Domaine Clape, Cornas 1980
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