Would you like to know which wines are the most expensive in the world and their price tag? If yes, Read on!
Adding a few of these bottles of wine to your wine rack and cabinet is a certain way to impress a dinner guest or justify a great purchase. However, a word of warning: you’ll need at least six thousand dollars ($6,000) to consider purchasing one seriously.
Some extremely expensive bottles of wine have numerous features that justify their exorbitant cost, including a harmonious blend of excellent grapes and rigorous refinement.
Also, due to a small annual harvest, some vintages with extraordinary taste and texture become even more desirable. Others attain grandeur through a lengthy and complex process of aging. Unique packaging or a touch of historical significance can enhance the wine’s uniqueness.
The top 21 most high-priced wines on the planet Earth are listed below…
Most Expensive Wines in the World and Their Prices
01. 1945 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti – $558,000
This is the world’s most expensive bottle of wine.
In 2018, the renowned auction house Sotheby’s sold a solitary bottle of 1945 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti for over half a million dollars.
This most expensive bottle of wine ever auctioned was manufactured in Europe immediately following World War II. Additionally, before the replanting of the vines at the legendary Burgundy estate, only 600 bottles of this DRC wine were produced.
Moreover, another bottle of the same wine from the private cellars of négociant Robert Drouhin was auctioned at Sotheby’s in New York. With two separate bids, they fetched a total of over a million dollars.
02. Screaming Eagle Cabernet 1992 – $500,000
Buying a bottle of this costly wine will set you back more than most people’s monthly mortgage payments. It costs $500,000 for only a single bottle.
Many of the world’s most expensive wine lists have featured cabernet sauvignon as a popular choice over the years. In 2000, it was eventually auctioned off for charity.
The wine has a blackcurrant scent, a little oak flavor, and a dark purple color from the fact that they are aged in 60 percent new oak.
03. Jeroboam of Chateau Mouton-Rothschild 1945 – $310,000
It’s no shock that this wine bottle costs so much because it comes from the estates of the world’s wealthiest family.
The wine is regarded to be among the best wineries of the last hundred years, with symbols on the label representing the triumph of the Allied troops in WWII.
If a bottle is out of your price range, why not have a tumbler for $8,631?
04. Cheval Blanc 1947 – $305,000
The 1947 Chateau Cheval Blanc is ranked fourth in our rating of the most costly wines.
It was auctioned off to an unidentified buyer for $303,375 and is regarded as the “greatest Bordeaux possibly made.”
Chateau Cheval Blanc is among the world’s most renowned winemakers, having received the coveted Premier Grand Cru Classe (A) level in the Category of Saint-Emilion wine in 2012.
05. Shipwrecked 1907 Heidsieck – $275,000
Most people would find $275,000 for a wine bottle absurd, but this wine has a highly unusual and intriguing story that clearly explains the cost.
During WW1, a ship transporting wines was destroyed by a German U-boat, forcing it to plummet into the ocean floor for more than seven decades.
In 1997, the ship’s remains were uncovered, and 2,000 bottles were recovered.
It costs $275,000 to own a masterpiece and a great story to share at family dinners, so it’s well worth it even if you cannot drink it.
06. Chateau Lafite 1869 – $230,000
When this wine bottle was put up for sale in Hong Kong, it generated quite a commotion.
Auctioneers expected it to hit a modest $8,000, but to their astonishment, an unidentified Asian bidder took the top prize — $230,000.
Many people in Asia regard the Chateau Lafite 1869 as incredibly uncommon; therefore, bidders were ready to pay top dollar to have one of the world’s most costly wines.
07. Chateau Margaux 1787 – $225,000
This wine bottle is no longer available for purchase at any price. The unfortunate thing is that a butler toppled it over at a Margaux dinner at a Four Seasons Hotel in New York City.
It was rumored to be the most expensive bottle of wine that went unsold, and many believe it came from Thomas Jefferson’s cellar.
It was initially priced at $500,000 by the owner, but the actual worth was reduced to $225,000 because that was the money paid by insurers.
08. Ampoule from Penfolds – $168,000
Each of these precious wine bottles is worth $168,000.
In contrast to its lack of history, the Penfolds-produced wine relies on the brand’s reputation and the quality of its presentation and packaging to make a lasting impression.
The wine tasting is designed to be a journey within itself, as you must first chip off a tiny bit of wood before getting to the wine.
09. Chateau Lafite 1787 – $156,450
The vintage Chateau Lafite 1787, considered the world’s most expensive “regular” wine bottle, is claimed to have come from Thomas Jefferson’s vault!
The fact that his initials (ThJ) are inscribed into the glass, as well as his well-known deep affection for wine, support this view.
In 1985, publisher millionaire Malcolm Forbes acquired the Chateau Lafite 1787, which is already among the world’s most expensive wines.
10. Henri Jayer, Vosne-Romanée Cros Parantoux 1999 — $136,955
The tenth position on the ranking is clearly a bit of a steal, as the buyer received an entire case of wine rather than a single bottle.
At a Christie’s Hong Kong wine auction, a box of Cros Parantoux sold for $136,955.
It was manufactured in the heartland of Burgundy, France’s winemaking district, and I’m betting it made the buyer extremely delighted!
11. Cheval Blanc St-Emilion 1947 – $135,125
This world-class antique wine, which sold for $135,125 in 2006, is in 11th place on our list.
It is one of just two wines in the history of Saint-Emilion wine to be awarded Class A certification.
According to our studies, only 110,000 bottles of this wine were made, and only a few of them have survived.
The Cheval Blanc St-Emilion 1947 is regarded by the world’s greatest wine tasters as the greatest Cheval Blanc of the twentieth century, with a sensuous flavor and sumptuous texture.
12. Romanée-Conti 1945 – $123,900
The most expensive bottle of wine in the world is a bottle of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, although the same wine was also auctioned off in 2007 for this enormous sum.
Due to their limited availability, these bottles fetched such exorbitant prices. Only 600 bottles could be produced in 1946 because phylloxera pests decimated the vineyards. The piece that went under the hammer in 2007 was from connoisseur Audebet de Villaine’s collection.
13. Chateau D’YQUEM – $117,000
This wine bottle is especially remarkable because it is the Record Holder for being the costliest white wine ever.
Christian Vanneque, a world-renowned wine expert, bought it for $117,000 from the Antique Wine Company.
Its high price is due to the fact that it was grown in 1811 at the Chateau d’Yquem, and it was such a magnificent harvest that many critics declared it to be the greatest white wine ever made.
Also see: 10 Most Successful Entrepreneurs in Nigeria — Richest Entrepreneurs in Nigeria
14. Penfolds Grange Hermitage 1951 – $38,000
This is one of the best-preserved wines on the planet earth, with only 20 vials known to exist; as a result, its cost matches its rarity.
Many consider the Hermitage to be among Australia’s greatest wines, with a strong Shiraz and a tinge of Cabernet Sauvignon.
15. Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Romanee-Conti Grand Cru 1990 – $21,200
The Romanee-Conti Romanee-Conti Grand Cru 1990 is among the world’s most expensive bottles of wine.
A bottle of this antique red will set you back $21,200, but experts say it’s money well spent. A well-balanced yield, packed with good healthy grapes, resulted in a wonderful wine in 1990.
16. Domaine Leroy Musigny Grand Cru 2012 – $14,450
The Grand Cru has a floral taste and a soft, spongy texture and is recognized as a magnificent and luxurious wine.
However, the warm summer of 2012 gave this wine a richness unlike any other, allowing it to command such a premium price.
17. Scharzhofberger Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese – $13,615
The Scharzhofberger Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese, made by German winemaker Egon Muller, costs $13,615.
Unique flowery aromas, a lime nectar flavor and mouthfeel, and a strong, powerful effect, when drunk, are the wine’s most well-known qualities.
It should make a tremendous impression because it’s among the most expensive wines in the world.
18. Domaine Georges & Christophe Roumier Musigny Grand Cru 1990 – $11,720
The Le Musigny vineyard manufactures only 380 bottles of this antique Pinot Noir annually, guaranteeing its distinction.
The year’s warm temperatures provided the grapes with increased concentration, fuller skins, flavor, and acidity.
As a result, if you’re shopping for a wine to pair with duck or other fowl, this would be an excellent pick, assuming you have $11,720 to spend.
19. Domaine Leroy Chambertin Grand Cru 1990 – $7,447
The 1949 Domaine Leroy Richebourg Grand Cru costs somewhat higher than the preceding Domaine Leroy Richebourg Grand Cru.
The grapes are taken from Chambertin Grand Cru Pinot Noir vineyards, which are exceptionally premium vineyards.
It boasts a strong, rich smell of plums, red raspberries, and cinnamon, and it is the world’s 19th most pricey wine.
20. 1949 Domaine Leroy Richebourg Grand Cru – $5,921
This is a bottle of wine crafted exclusively for the wealthy: approximately 700 bottles are manufactured annually.
The wine’s post-World War II reputation adds to its allure and raises its cost, giving it a rich history.
21. Screaming Eagle Sauvignon Blanc – $5,850
Screaming Eagle is California’s original cult wine. A bottle of this stuff will cost you a cool $5,850.
The wine is produced in limited quantities every year. This wine originates from Oakville, which is a small town in the United States between Rutherford and Yountville.
Final Thoughts
While many people enjoy wine, only a select few can enjoy these truly exceptional wines. And, of course, you will be disappointed the next time you drink wine since it is highly unlikely to be among the best or grandest unless you have a lot of money.
In addition, even though these wines have very exorbitant pricing, most are of comparable quality and have interesting backstories. Purchasing one of the world’s most expensive wines can pay off handsomely if you plan to either enjoy it at a special meal or resell it for a profit.
Also check: List of Soft Foods to Eat After Wisdom Teeth Removal
I hope you find this information helpful. Please use any of the share buttons below to share this information.
Feel free to drop any questions, comments or contributions regarding this article in the comment section below.