Australian wine royalty James Halliday has cleared over 1800 wines from his cellar with LANGTONS to host a once-in-a-lifetime auction

1 May 2025
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Renowned Australian wine critic, author and commentator James Halliday AM is selling the last of his impressive wine cellar through an online auction with fine wine destination LANGTONS. The James Halliday’s Private Collection online auction is now open on the LANGTONS website and closes at 9pm AEST on Sunday 25th May, providing oenophiles the chance to own unicorn wines collected by the nation’s greatest wine figure.

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This final auction will see an astonishing 100 lots of Halliday’s personal passion – French producer Domaine Armand Rousseau – up for bidding, with each bottle personally signed by the wine critic himself. The topline collection includes a 1999 Clos des Ruchottes Monopole, Ruchottes-Chambertin, 1976 Clos de la Roche and 1990 Grand Cru, Chambertin.

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It’s the second time Halliday has trusted LANGTONS with the evaluation and auctioning off of his treasured wine collection, with the previous occasion in 2020, where a portion of his cellar – including the single largest collection of DRC that the Australian market had ever seen – was sold through an online auction.Halliday has confirmed this auction will be the last to clear out the final bottles in his cellar located in the Yarra Valley’s Coldstream Hills while he relocates to Sydney.

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“Having long since sold the last of my DRCs, my Rousseaus are the best wines in my cellar, led–of course–by the Chambertins from top vintages. Clos de Beze is a worthy second, Clos de Jacques, the wine often offering outstanding value for money. Rousseau now fills the shoes left by the impossible-to-find DRCs,” says James Halliday AM.

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James Halliday AM is Australia’s most notable wine authority, with a career spanning over 30 years resulting in a cellar that is incomparable to any other in the country. Halliday is known for founding the prestigious wine publication the Halliday Wine Companion and was The Australian’s weekly wine columnist from 1978 until his retirement last year. He was also a Co-Founder of Hunter Valley winery Brokenwood and Yarra Valley winery Coldstream Hills. He became a Member of the Order of Australia for his services to the wine industry in 2010.

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“James Halliday is undoubtedly the most important person in the Australian wine scene. His commentary, literary works, judging and philanthropy have altered how Australians buy, sell and consume wine,” says Michael Anderson, Head of Auctions and Secondary Market at LANGTONS.

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“It is a true pleasure to be once again hosting an auction of his wines - the last ever auction of wines owned by the one and only James Halliday.”

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Other highlights from the James Halliday Collection - Final Lots include a Billecart-Salmon Cuvee Nicolas Francois Billecart Brut from the exceptional 1996 vintage; a 1997 Dr Loosen Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling-Spatlese; and a 1980 Domaine Clape. Closer to home, Halliday’s collection also includes a House of Arras E.J Carr Late Disgorged Methode Traditionelle 2000 Magnum from Tasmania; 1997 Bindi Block 5 Pinot Noir from the Macedon Ranges; and 1992 vintage Charles Melton Nine Popes Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre from the Barossa Valley.

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Each bottle will come complete with a collectable sticker outlining its provenance, with a full list of headlining wines outlined below.
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The James Halliday’s Private Collection is open online now on the LANGTONS website until 9pm AEST, Sunday 25 May, via langtons.com.au/james-halliday-private-collection.

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Headlining wines from the James Halliday Private Collection auction are as follows:

• House of Arras E.J. Carr Late Disgorged Methode Traditionelle, Tasmania 2000 Magnum
• Billecart-Salmon Cuvee Nicolas Francois Billecart Brut, Champagne 1996
• Bindi Block 5 Pinot Noir, Macedon Ranges 1997
• Charles Melton Nine Popes Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre, Barossa Valley 1992
• Chateau de Fonasalette Reserve, Cotes-du-Rhone 1974
• Domaine Armand Rousseau, Clos des Ruchottes Monopole, Ruchottes-Chambertin 1999
• Domaine Armand Rousseau, Clos de la Roche 1976
• Domaine Clape, Cornas 1980
• Domaine G. Roumier, Clos de la Bussiere 1er cru, Morey-St-Denis 1999
• Dr Loosen, Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling-Spatlese, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer 1997
• Egon Muller, Scharzhofberger Riesling-Auslese, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer 1976
• Domaine Armand Rousseau, Grand Cru, Chambertin 1990

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For further information, imagery or interview requests, please contact Blend Public Relations:

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Brian Chase Olson | e: [email protected] | m: +61 435 403 608

Amy Northcott | e: [email protected] | m: +61 400 371 296

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About LANGTONS

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Debuting as a wine auction house more than 30 years ago, LANGTONS has grown to establish itself as Australia’s premier destination for fine wine. LANGTONS offers a curated selection of Australian and international fine wines through its online wine store and also offers consumers the chance at one-of-a-kind collectibles through its weekly wine auctions. LANGTONS’ calendar of wine masterclasses, dinners, and tastings brings the world’s most sought-after bottles in reach of Australian drinkers.

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LANGTONS is responsible for the highly respected wine guide the LANGTONS Classification of Australian Wine which has been running for more than three decades. Inspired by the renowned 1855 Bordeaux Classification, inclusion in the LANGTONS Classification of Australian Wine is the pinnacle of vinous accolades, setting the benchmark for fine wine in Australia and beyond.

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