Acclaimed Australian wine critic James Halliday AM is selling the last 1800 bottles in his wine cellar through an online auction.

The James Halliday’s Private Collection online auction is now open on the LANGTONS website and closes at 9pm AEST on 25 May. 

This final auction will see 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. 

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. 

“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,” Halliday said.

“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.”

Halliday is Australia’s most famous wine authority, with a career spanning over 30 years. He is known for founding 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.

“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,” said LANGTONS Head of Auctions and Secondary Market Michael Anderson. 

“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.”

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.

View the James Halliday’s Private Collection here.