The Most Expensive Bottles Of Wine In The World

10. Chateau Lafite 1787

10. Chateau Lafite 1787
huffpost.com, stuartgeorge.net

Price: $156,450

Snagging the 10th spot is Chateau Lafite 1787. This bottle is no ordinary one because it was owned by no other than the United States’ former president Thomas Jefferson, who was a known wine connoisseur. It was purchased by Malcolm Forbes for the price indicated above.

If you are skeptical that the former president actually owned this particular spirit, then you can check out a picture of the bottle with his initials etched on it. In fact, Forbes showcased the bottle in a case with spotlights. Unfortunately, the lights ruined the bottle and it is now valued at $0.

9. Penfolds Block 42 Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

9. Penfolds Block 42 Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
nicks.com.au, winebid.com

Price: $168,000

As mentioned, packaging contributes to the price of the spirit. From the quality of the glass to the superiority of the cork and capsule, how the wine is presented can be everything. After all, the packaging is an important factor in preserving the quality of the beverage.

This is why South Australian winery Penfolds’ is regarded as one of the costliest liquors. Instead of being sold in bottles, the beverage comes in elegant ampoules encased in a prism-shaped glass container and a sleek wooden cabinet.

8. Chateau Margaux 1787

8. Chateau Margaux 1787
thedrinksbusiness.com, @PronunciationWhiz / Pinterest.com

Price: $225,000

Coming in at 8th place is the Chateau Margaux 1787, which enters the $200,000-dollar mark. This one is also thought to be brought to the US by Thomas Jefferson from France when he served as an ambassador. It was most recently purchased by William Solokin. 

If you are thinking of scoring this bottle, then you are too late as this spirit no longer exists. Solokin brought the container to the Four Season Hotel for Margaux night. Unfortunately, the bottle was knocked over by accident, destroying the bottle and its contents.

7. Chateau Lafite-Rothschild 1869

7. Chateau Lafite-Rothschild 1869
auction.cavacave.com, blogs.wsj.com

Price: $232,692

Back in 2010, Sotheby’s auctioned off three bottles of this wine in Hong Kong. The auctioneers expected each bottle to sell only for around HK$40,000 to HK$50,000. Imagine their surprise when the three bottles were sold in a single lot at more than $230,000 each!

The buyer was reportedly from Asia. Little did the auctioneers know that this particular spirit is considered a superior luxury on the continent. This is why buyers were willing to pay around HK$1 million for each container.

6. Shipwrecked 1907 Heidsieck

6. Shipwrecked 1907 Heidsieck
quillandpad.com, artsandwines.com

Price: $275,000

Another important factor that contributes to the cost of a beverage is its history. Just look at those owned by Thomas Jefferson as an example. However, this particular spirit is expensive because of the unique circumstances it went through.

Back in 1916, the ship carrying this wine was attacked by the Germans during World War I. For more than 80 years, the vessel stayed under the sea until it was discovered in 1997. Around 2,000 bottles were obtained and were sold for more than $270,000 each.

5. Chateau Cheval Blanc 1947

5. Chateau Cheval Blanc 1947
en.antikwein.de, invaluable.com

Price: $304,375

This specific liquor is considered by oenophiles as the best Bordeaux ever made. This can be attributed to the reputation held by its winemaker, Chateau Cheval Blanc. In fact, the winery received the prestigious Premier Grand Cru Classe rank in 2012.

If you are curious as to what made this the best Bordeaux ever made, you will be delighted to know that it was made on a day when the weather was bad. Because of this, the makers used “primitive” techniques complete with flaws that were already perfected during that time.

4. Jeroboam of Chateau Mouton-Rothschild 1945

4. Jeroboam of Chateau Mouton-Rothschild 1945
totalprestigemagazine.com, caesaremporium.com

Price: $310,700

The Rothschilds are one of the richest families in the world. This is why there is no wonder that their vineyard was able to make one of the most expensive bottles. It has a very distinctive packaging especially with the “V” in its label signifying the victory of the Allies in World War II.

Aside from its origins, it is also known to have a superb aroma and flavor. If $310,700 is too luxurious for you, worry not because you can try out this wine by the glass. That is if you are willing to shell out $8,631 for a glass of this opulent spirit.

3. Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon 1992

3. Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon 1992
beautifullife.info, wine.com

Price: $500,000

Breaking the $500,000 barrier is the Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon 1992. This California-made beverage is known for its excellence not only in taste and aroma but also for its rarity. This is why a lot of oenophiles are hunting this down.

It was aged in 60% new oak barrels, giving it delicate flavors of oak along with its fruity tones. The good thing about the most expensive bottle of Screaming Eagle Cabernet sauvignon 1992 is that it was sold at a charity auction back in 2000. 

2. Domaine Leroy Musigny Grand Cru

2. Domaine Leroy Musigny Grand Cru
idealwine.com, christies.com

Price: $551,314 max.

This wine is produced by Domaine Leroy, founded by Lalou Bize-Leroy in 1988. Only a handful of these containers were sold by the winemaker, making it rare and special for connoisseurs. Moreover, it was created using a unique technique that is not usually seen on the market.

They make this wine using biodynamic farming to produce the grapes. Through this method, the fruits were cultivated according to natural circumstances such as lunar rhythms, making the process more meticulous and delicate. This bottle is one of the most expensive entries on this list.

1. Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Romanee-Conti Grand Cru

1. Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Romanee-Conti Grand Cru
drinksandco.com, christies.com

Price: $551,314 max.

Now, onto our most expensive bottle in the world: The Domaine de la Romanee-Conti (DRC) Romanee-Conti Grand Cru. Producer DRC also opted to make this wine on a small scale and only for a specific target market who were willing to pay more than half a million dollars.

Cultivated in the Romanee-Conti’s 4.5-acre vineyard, the fruits used to make this wine were limited, with such a small plot of land. However, it gained a cult following as it was targeted to collectors, giving it the highest price among all the entries in this list. 

drinksandco.com, en.antikwein.de, totalprestigemagazine.com

As a beverage that has always been known to be luxurious and expensive, you can definitely expect that prices can reach hundreds of dollars. However, did you expect these bottles to reach more than half a million dollars?

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