Fine and Rare Wines & Spirits Online Day 1: Featuring the Collection of Ken Follett

Sale Overview

The sale is led by a selection of duty-paid wines from the cellar of Ken Follet. Ken is one of the world’s best-loved authors. More than 198 million copies of his novels have sold globally, since his first international renowned book Eye of the Needle in 1978. Ken is a lover of wine and chose fine wine as his luxury on Desert Island Discs, 'Wine is a great consolation when you're on your own, but I hate the idea of being marooned. The only way I could survive being cut off from my family and friends would be with an unlimited supply of fine wine.' We are delighted to offer bottles and magnums from his home cellar in this sale, including a selection of Pignus and Flor de Pingus, Châteaux Pichon Lalande and Grand Puy Lacoste.

From a Mayfair Cellar we are delighted to present a well-curated collection of rare wines and spirits. Superb Burgundy from the Domaine de la Romanee- Conti sits alongside blue-chip Bordeaux and fine Italian wine. The spirits in the auction are varied and intriguing with everything from early 20th century Calvados from the cellars of La Tour d’Argent through to rare Bourbon and a decanter of Richard Hennessy Cognac. The property is in superb condition, having recently been removed from a purpose-built underground cellar.

A London Townhouse Cellar is a jewel box of rare, historic wines come from the private collection of a family in London, who were formerly in the hospitality business and acquired these magnificent wines over many years of restaurant ownership. They have been stored in perfect conditions until their release to us. Highlights include magnums of Châteaux Margaux 1953 and 1950 La Mission Haut-Brion and 1969 Comte Armand, Clos des Epeneaux. Dom Pérignon 1951, 1959 and 1961 feature, alongside bottles of Meo-Camuzet, DRC and Dujac.

A Pristine Collection is an array of wines in perfect condition from Domaine Rousseau, including Chambertin, Clos-de-Bèze, Ruchottes-Chambertin and Clos Saint Jacques. Domaine Georges Mugneret Gibourg, Charles Lachaux and Domaine Ramonet also feature in case quantities. Rarities from Rinaldi and Soldera are offerings for wine lovers

Auction times

04 Jun 10:00 AM (BST)

Brought to you by

Noah May

Head of Wine and Spirits EMEA | Wine & Spirits

Noah joined Christie’s London Wine Department in 2007, after graduating from The University of Leeds with an honors degree in English Literature and Philosophy. Noah has been involved in several high-profile wine auctions in Europe, including the sale of Historic Cognacs from the Private Cellars of La Tour d’Argent in 2012 and the sale of Fine Wines from the Private Collection of Sir Alex Ferguson CBE in 2014. In May 2013, Noah was awarded the British Guild of Food Writers Award for Food Writer of the Year for various publications relating to wine and gastronomy. In September 2014, Noah joined Christie’s New York Wine Department, where he worked as Head of Sale, focused on building relationships with American collectors, the sourcing of rare wines and spirits for auctions in the US and Europe, sale curation and specialist wine events. In June 2018, Noah returned to Christie’s London Wine Department as Head of Department and is mainly focused on developing Christie’s Wine Department’s profile in the UK and across Europe, sourcing exceptional collections of Wines and Spirits for sale, inspection and authentication of property and building long-term relationships with collectors around the world. Noah’s professional interests include the fine wines of Burgundy, Bordeaux and Rioja, and the rare spirits market, with a focus on collectible whisky.

Charles Foley

Specialist | Wine & Spirits

Charlie joined Christie’s in 2014 after working for a fine wine merchant in the City. He graduated from Newcastle University, where he achieved 1st Class Honours in Classics, specializing in the ancient wine trade in Rome and Greece. He has worked for vineyards in South Africa and Argentina and won a scholarship to attend the European Wine Bloggers Conference in Turkey and subsequently also travelled with the Conference to Rioja. He has completed his WSET Diploma and has been pleased to work on auctions at Christie’s such as the Avery Family Collection, the Cellars of the Earl of Halifax and Wines from the Malbec Family Collection.