Quincy Jones is well known for his exquisite manipulation of sound, from his jazz big-band work in the late 1950s up to his 1982 landmark of modern orchestration and production, Michael Jackson’s Thriller. But few might know that the musical master, now 90 years old, has also had a taste for fine vintage wine.
In an online auction conducted 30 November – 11 December from Los Angeles by Christie’s Wine Department of America, over 150 lots of of wine belonging to the trumpeter, producer and arranger were offered for sale. The “Cellar of Quincy Jones” was 99% sold by lot and 150% sold by low estimate.
The top lot of the collection was eight bottles of Château Mouton Rothschild 2000, which realised $12,500. Additional results included seven bottles of Château Lafite Rothschild 1990 which sold for $6,875, a bottle of Château Latour 1959 which sold for $3,500, six bottles of Ridge Vineyards, Monte Bello, Cabernet Sauvignon 1991 which achieved $3,500, and a bottle of Leacock, Malvazia from 1933 (Quincy’s birth year), which sold for $750 against its low estimate of $100, setting a new world auction record.
Chris Munro, Head of Department, Americas Fine Wine & Spirits, said: “Wines from the Cellar of Quincy Jones were snapped up by a multitude of domestic and international buyers, testament to his connoisseurship and well considered buying in assembling this notable collection.”
