A bottle of 1891 Biondi-Santi Brunello di Montalcino Riserva was among the star Italian fine wine lots at Acker Merrall & Condit's first New York City auction of the year.
The rare bottle, which had previously resided in the vineyard's cellar for many decades, sold for $6,765 on February 23.
 The 1891 bottle made $6,765 |
Other highlights among the largest Italian wine selection ever auctioned was a single lot of four magnums of Bartolo Mascarello Barolo from 1952, 1971, 1986 and 1988, which made $7,995, having arrived with a $4,800 high estimate.
Twelve bottles of Soldera Brunello doubled its $3,000 estimate, selling for $6,150.
While the strong performance suggests an upsurge of interest for Italian vino, it was Burgundy that took the sale's top honours, continuing its strong showing seen in the past two years.
A single lot of three bottles of 2006 Romanee Conti made $27,060 to achieve top lot, while in second was a 12-bottle case of 1962 Leroy Romanee-St-Vivant, which sold for $24,600.
Twelve bottles of 1990 Rousseau Chambertin Clos de Beze realised $18,450.
"Burgundy demonstrated that collectors around the world are seeking more and more of its top producers beyond the headlines of Romanee Conti during 2013," said the auction house following the sale.
John Kapon, the auction house's chief executive officer, added: "Diversity again proved to be the watch word for the market, led by the most spectacular collection of Italian wines I have ever seen."
The auction achieved $3.1m in all, setting 121 new world records.
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