Beware of Simpson Galleries, Texas

[Jenise]

Someone on the CT site just posted a warning about Simpson Galleries in Texas, an auction house.

Apparently they offered a number of older Bordeaux and Burgundy lots at auction recently of which someone bid on and won six bottles of '94 Latour. When the wine arrived it was clear the bottles had been exposed to high heat--stained labels and leak tracks down the sides of all the bottles, none of which were disclosed in the lot description. He opened one, and the contents were "vinegar". After much discussion with the owner, the guy got his money back and returned the remaining bottles.

The Gallery has a new auction up and has relisted these bottles, with the original valuation, that they know are bad. The listing now includes language disclaiming any knowledge of how the bottles were stored and also warns buyers that there will be no refunds.

Personally I don't think I'd ever bid on wine at a generic auction house (that doesn't have wine specialists and/or where wine is just part of a bigger general sale). I think Texas has particularly loose laws as they seem to have a lot of dumped wines going through non specialist auction houses.

[Robin Garr]

I think Texas has particularly loose laws ...

If I remember The Billionaire's Vinegar correctly, wasn't that something that Hardy Rodenstock took advantage of?

[Jenise]

Personally I don't think I'd ever bid on wine at a generic auction house (that doesn't have wine specialists and/or where wine is just part of a bigger general sale). I think Texas has particularly loose laws as they seem to have a lot of dumped wines going through non specialist auction houses.

I hear you. Most people wouldn't buy second hand from anyone not widely known and proven as a good source. But this guy did, for some reason, and there will be others. I hoped by mentioning it here someone who googles the gallery name because they're considering a purchase might find this post and stand down.