A Fine-Wine Handover: Dr Chan's Pétrus and Le Pin Collection in Central Hong Kong

Seller background and reason for parting with the wines

• Seller: Mr Chan, a senior specialist doctor at a private clinic in Central Hong Kong and a long-time wine enthusiast.
• Reason for sale: Dr Chan's recent annual health check revealed warning signs in several health indicators, particularly an elevated uric acid level. As a medical professional, he understands the importance of health management and therefore decided to follow medical advice strictly and reduce his alcohol intake substantially. Faced with top wines in his cellar that had reached their prime drinking windows, he felt it was better to pass them through a professional acquisition channel so that knowledgeable wine lovers could appreciate them, rather than leave them waiting alone in a temperature-controlled cabinet.

On-site assessment: a striking appearance by two Right Bank icons

Last Thursday afternoon, our team arrived as arranged at Dr Chan's Mid-Levels home. His cellar was managed very professionally, with the temperature kept at 12-14°C throughout the year and humidity at around 70%. This time, he had decided to release two legendary wines from Pomerol on Bordeaux's Right Bank: Pétrus and Le Pin.

The first sight was a complete original wooden case of Pétrus 1983. As documented in our on-site photographs, the labels remained clear and complete, without obvious mould or damage. We checked the ullage of every bottle: the levels were generally Into Neck or at Top Shoulder. For these mature wines from the early 1980s, the reported fill levels were unusually high and consistent with careful storage, although they do not prove the complete storage history.

Dr Chan then carefully brought out Le Pin 2000. Production is extremely low, and the wine is often associated with the garage-wine movement. Our photographs show a clean white label, a tight capsule and no visible seepage. The 2000 Bordeaux vintage provides historical context, while the bottle's condition and provenance are the relevant factors for this Le Pin assessment.

After examination under an anti-counterfeit light, inspection of the capsule and review of the provenance documents, we gave Dr Chan an acquisition offer on site. These checks informed the review but did not alone prove authenticity. The parties then completed the handover.

Acquired-product information

To present the wines acquired in this case more clearly, we compiled the following details:

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

To help more collectors like Dr Chan who are considering releasing wines, we have answered the following common questions about acquiring fine wine:

Q1: How do you assess the acquisition price of a mature bottle?

Answer: Our quotations consider available international wine-market references, the estate's reputation, vintage rating, ullage, label and capsule condition, original wooden case (OWC), and proof of purchase or provenance. Stronger condition and provenance may support the assessment, but no single factor determines the acquisition price.

Q2: Apart from Pétrus and Le Pin, which wine brands do you acquire?

Answer: We specialise in acquiring leading estates from around the world. In addition to Bordeaux's eight leading estates—Lafite, Latour, Margaux, Haut-Brion, Mouton, Cheval Blanc, Ausone and Pétrus—and major garage wines, we also acquire top Burgundy estates such as DRC, Leroy and Rousseau, as well as selected leading Champagnes and whiskies.

Q3: How can I obtain an initial quotation? Do I need to bring the wine to a shop?

Answer: You do not need to carry the wine out yourself. Send clear photographs by WhatsApp or WeChat, including the front label, back label, capsule and overall fill level. An assessor can then provide an initial estimate. Subject to location and availability, an on-site collection appointment may be arranged in Hong Kong.

Contact us to maximise the value of your collection

If you have fine wines to sell, whether a single bottle or an entire cellar, Dibao Wine can provide a market-based offer after inspection and handle the enquiry privately. You are welcome to contact us:

• WhatsApp: 96737259
• Tel: 852 96737259
• WeChat: Sam96737259

Dibao Wine looks forward to providing a professional assessment and service for your collection.