28 March 2016: Sotheby’s is delighted to announce that it is to offer selections from the cellar of one of America’s foremost collectors, William I. Koch. The unprecedented three-day sale will feature over 20,000 bottles grouped into approximately 2,700 lots. With an estimate of $10.5/15 million, the sale is set to bring one of the highest totals for a Sotheby’s Wine auction. Mr. Koch assembled a cellar of almost unprecedented breadth and quality, with top Bordeaux and Burgundy from some of the most highly regarded vintages of the 20th century including ten bottles of Château Mouton Rothschild 1945 estimated to fetch $80/120,000.

William I. Koch said: “My cellar is the result of nearly four decades of collecting. I aimed to assemble the very best Bordeaux and Burgundy where you could taste the love and the passion that the vintner had in making it. With around 43,000 bottles, I could not possibly consume everything in my cellar so I am delighted to offer this selection to allow collectors all over the world to enjoy the glorious moments that come with these wines.”

Jamie Ritchie, CEO & President Americas and Asia Sotheby's Wine commented: “Bill Koch has one of the greatest cellars in the world, packed full of legendary wines that all collectors want to try. Bill focused on the highest quality: the greatest producers from each region, together with the best vintages. As a very generous host, he purchased significant quantities, so he could enjoy them on multiple occasions, with many friends around the table. We are delighted to offer this wonderful selection from his very impressive cellar, in a special three day single-owner auction, which will give collectors around the world the opportunity to buy and enjoy these wines. As you would expect, the wines have been stored impeccably and are in exceptional condition.”

William (Bill) Koch is recognized as an entrepreneur, champion sailor, collector, and philanthropist. Ranked as one of the 25 most generous individuals in the United States by The Journal of Philanthropy in 2011, Mr. Koch may be best remembered for his mission to help less fortunate children receive a high-level education. Over the years, Mr. Koch has contributed money, time, and energy to help individuals, teachers and classrooms get the support they have needed. As founder and Chief Executive Officer of Oxbow Carbon LLC. Mr. Koch created the world's largest marketing company of fuel grade and calcined petroleum coke. As a sailor he was a winner of the 1992 America’s Cup and four world championships. Mr. Koch’s contribution to the world of fine wine has extended far beyond building one of the world’s great cellars. For more than a decade, he has been America’s pre-eminent campaigner against wine fraud successfully exposing widespread deception at the highest levels of the market.

BORDEAUX
Over 125 Lots of Château Latour featuring: 11 Bottles 1945 Latour, Estimate $24,000 - $35,000 12 Bottles 1949 Latour, Estimate $24,000 - $35,000 6Magnums 1961Latour,Estimate$42,000-$60,000 1 6-Litre 1961 Latour, Estimate $28,000 - $40,000 Over 100 Lots of Château Lafite featuring: 6Magnums 1953Lafite,Estimate$24,000-$35,000each(5lots) 1 5-Litre 1982 Lafite, Estimate $15,000 - $22,000 1 6-Litre 1982 Lafite, Estimate $18,000 - $26,000 Over 80 Lots of Château Mouton Rothschild featuring: 6 Bottles 1918 Mouton Rothschild, Estimate $12,000 - $16,000 10 Bottles 1945 Mouton Rothschild, Estimate $80,000 - $120,000 (pictured above) 4Magnums 1947MoutonRothschild,Estimate$24,000-$35,000 12 Bottles 1959 Mouton Rothschild, Estimate $17,000 - $24,000 Over 70 Lots of Château Haut-Brion featuring: 6 Bottles 1953 Haut-Brion, Estimate $2,400 - $3,500 6 Bottles 1959 Haut-Brion, Estimate $8,500 - $11,000 3 6 Bottles 1961 Haut-Brion, Estimate $9,000 - $12,000 12 Bottles 1989 Haut-Brion, Estimate $12,000 - $16,000 each (9 lots) Over 70 Lots of Château Margaux featuring: 6 Bottles 1945 Margaux, Estimate $6,000 - $9,000 6Magnums 1945Margaux,Estimate$13,000-$18,000each(2lots) 6 Magnums 1983 Margaux, Estimate $4,200 - $6,500 each (3 lots) Over 60 Lots of Château Pétrus featuring: 35 Magnums, 18 Double Magnums, 8 Jeroboams, 6 Imperials 3 Magnums 1953 Pétrus, Estimate $8,500 - $11,000 each (2 lots) 1 3-Litre 1982 Pétrus, Estimate $14,000 - $20,000 each (2 lots) 6Magnums 1982Pétrus,Estimate$42,000-$60,000 Over 60 Lots and 14 vintages of Château d’Yquem featuring: 2 Bottles 4 Bottles 2 Bottles 4 Bottles 12 Bottles 1921 Y'quem, Estimate $6,000 - $8,000 1928 Y’quem, Estimate $12,000 - $16,000 1929 Y’quem, Estimate $3,500 - $5,000 1949 Y’quem, Estimate $4,800 - $6,000 1967 Y’quem, Estimate $8,500 - $12,000

BURGUNDY
Over 200 Lots of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, featuring: 33 Lots of Romanée Conti including 7 Jeroboams and 5 Methuselahs including: 1 3-Litre 1959 Romanée-Conti, DRC, Estimate $30,000 – $42,000 (pictured above) 1 6-Litre 1991 Romanée-Conti, DRC, Estimate $70,000 - $100,000 1 6-Litre 1995 Romanée-Conti, DRC, Estimate $70,000 - $100,000 40 Lots of La Tache including: 1 6-Litre 1971 La Tâche, DRC Estimate $18,000 - $30,000 1 6-Litre 1985 La Tâche, DRC Estimate $22,000 - $32,000 each (2 lots) 24 Lots of Richebourg including: 1 3-Litre 1971 Richebourg, DRC, Estimate $8,500 - $12,000 1 6-Litre 1983 Richebourg, DRC, Estimate $6,000 - $9,000 each (2 lots) 21 Lots of Montrachet including: 1 6-Litre 1983 Montrachet, DRC, Estimate $20,000 - $30,000 each (6 lots) 1 6-Litre 1986 Montrachet, DRC, Estimate $24,000 - $35,000 Over 100 Lots of Leroy featuring: 11 Bottles 1949 Musigny, Domaine Leroy, Estimate $28,000 - $38,000 6 Bottles 1959 Musigny, Domaine Leroy, Estimate $12,000 - $16,000 12 Bottles 1962 La Romanée, Domaine Leroy, Estimate $22,000 - $32,000