Vosne-Romanée. The jewels of Romanée-Conti under the spotlight at auction in Cannes

On Wednesday, August 13th and Thursday, August 14th, Besch Cannes Auction will auction some of the rarest and most prestigious bottles of Burgundy. This year's highlights include bottles from the Domaine de la Romanée-Conti.
Every summer, the Croisette becomes, for one weekend, the setting for another form of luxury: that of fine wines. During the mid-August sales organized by the Besch Cannes Auction house, thousands of bottles change hands.
For the 2025 edition, expert Pascal Kuzniewski highlights the Romanée-Conti estate. "It's the largest estate in the world," he says. Romanée-Conti, La Tâche, Grands Echézeaux, Richebourg... so many names that make wine lovers around the world dream. Established since the 17th century on just over 25 hectares, the estate produces eight grands crus renowned for their finesse and longevity, under the co-management of Aubert de Villaine.
Obtaining a bottle directly from the estate is often a real challenge: allocations are limited and reserved years in advance. "Fortunately, auctions offer an alternative," explains Pascal Kuzniewski.
Bordeaux wines have lost buyers due to prices becoming too high. I hope Burgundy doesn't make the same mistake.
Pascal Kuzniewski, approved expert with Besch Auction
The lots offered at Cannes come from both private individuals and professionals, never directly from the estate, but all are subject to rigorous verification of their storage conditions. "It's a question of quality," insists the expert. "Some people sell because they're moving, others because they no longer consume, or out of financial need. It's not always a matter of speculation." The vintages presented range from 1981 to around 2015.
Pascal Kuzniewski observes a clear evolution in the market: "Twenty years ago, 90% of the bottles sold at auction were Bordeaux. Today, Burgundies dominate the catalogs, driven by increased quality and growing reputation." But the expert warns: "Bordeaux wines have lost buyers because prices have become too high. I hope Burgundy will not make the same mistake."
Burgundy wines, being more fragile, require greater control during storage and transport. Each lot is accompanied by precise information about the storage cellar. "The advantage of these auctions is the comparison between supply and demand. This allows winemakers to see the price that some customers are willing to pay for their wine," explains Pascal Kuzniewski.
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