16-06-2025
Inside Australia's Most Important Private Wine Collection
Halliday's Personal Passion
The latest auction comprises a whopping 100 lots of Halliday's personal passion, French producer Domaine Armand Rousseau. A fourth-generation, family-run vineyard based in the Côte de Nuits wine-growing region of Burgundy, the producer is among the finest proponents of pinot noir excellence, just ask Anderson.
'Domaine Armand Rousseau is one of the finest domaines in Burgundy and therefore the world. These wines are expensive, difficult to acquire and challenging to understand,' he explained. 'That James' cellar contains so many vintages of so many Rousseau cuvées speaks of a long-term commitment to this domaine. As one of the world's most respected wine critics and an authority on Burgundy, James would have his pick of the various great domaines of Burgundy and he went long on Rousseau. We can infer from this that these wines have sustained his interest over decades.'
Each Domaine Armand Rousseau bottle in the collection is personally signed by the wine critic himself, signalling just how dearly Halliday revered the product. Collectors will find a 1999 Clos des Ruchottes Monopole, a 1976 Clos de la Roche, and the crown jewel: a 1990 Chambertin Grand Cru, all from the iconic Burgundy producer. But it doesn't stop there. The auction is a global tour of iconic winemaking:
A 1996 illecart-Salmon Cuvee Nicolas Francois Billecart Brut from Champagne.
A 1997 Dr Loosen Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling-Spatlese from the Mosel.
A 1980 Domaine Clape from the Rhône Valley.
Even a 1974 Chateau de Fonasalette Côtes-du-Rhône, a vintage older than some of Halliday's youngest readers.
As Anderson explains, a collection as wide-ranging and significant as this makes for an interesting project. Wines such as these rarely hit the auction bloc,k and when they do, it's generally due to tragedy or economic hardship. In the case of James Hallday, it's merely an opportunity to do what he has done so fruitfully for over four decades: share his passion with Australia.
'Cellars are unique. Most have something in common, but they all have their idiosyncrasies, and collectors who have an emotional attachment to them have invested so much time, often a lifetime, into their cellars. One does have to pause and take a moment to acknowledge the commitment and respect that parting with one's collection can be emotional,' Anderson said.
'Personally, I feel a great amount of pride in leading the team to bring this auction to market and no little privilege besides. I get to discuss James Halliday's Private Cellar with the man himself.'
