25 Most Expensive Wine Bottles in the World (2024)

Imagine paying the equivalent of two Alfa Romeos for just one bottle of wine. 

Well, the thought of finding a rare bottle and paying exorbitant amounts for 750ml of the precious liquid is a thrill that an avid wine collector looks forward to! 

This article explores what drives wine prices and looks at some of the worlds most expensive wine bottles that you can invest in. If those price tags don’t make your jaw drop, we’ll also take you through wines that broke world records at auctions. 

We’ll also reveal why you should invest in fine wine and show you a hassle-free way to build a portfolio of expensive wine.

15 Most Expensive Wines In the World

These fine wines have commanded high prices and have stolen headlines over the years. 

1. 1869 Chateau Lafite Rothschild ($207,075)
2. 2009 Domaine Leroy Musigny Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits ($96,910
3. 1847 Chateau d'Yquem, Sauternes ($101,986)
4. 2001 Leroy Domaine d'Auvenay Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru, Cote de Beaune ($42,894)
5. 1959 Egon Muller Scharzhofberger Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese ($41,580)
6. 2017 Domaine Georges & Christophe Roumier Musigny Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits ($32,400)
7. 1959 Dom Perignon Rose, Champagne ($26,636)
8. 2014 Leroy Domaine d'Auvenay Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru, Cote de Beaune ($25,758)
9. 2015 Domaine Leflaive Montrachet Grand Cru, Cote de Beaune ($23,441)
10. 2014 Leroy Domaine d'Auvenay Mazis Chambertin Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits ($15,928)
11. 2009 Domaine Jean Yves Bizot Echezeaux Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits ($20,455)
12. 1989 Coche-Dury Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru, Cote de Beaune ($11,624)
13. 1994 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Montrachet Grand Cru, Cote de Beaune ($9,690)
14. W & J Graham’s Ne Oublie' Tawny Port ($7,638)
15. 2010 Screaming Eagle Sauvignon Blanc, Oakville ($7,321)

1. 1869 Chateau Lafite Rothschild ($207,075)

The 1869 label is the first vintage the Rothschild family produced in their chateau winery in Médoc. The Premier Grand Cru Classé wine was bottled in 1953 and 1983 and became the most expensive single wine bottle sold at an auction in 2010. This 1869 Bordeaux blend boasts aromas of cedar, oak, and leather. The palate retains its flavors of blackcurrant and plum along with strong tannins.

2. 2009 Domaine Leroy Musigny Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits ($96,910)

Domaine Leroy is a wine producer from Cote de Nuits, Burgundy making a range of wines from Pinot Noir grapes grown in the world’s most iconic vineyards. The winery is also known for its exquisite Chambertin Grand Cru wines or the Domaine Leroy Chambertin Grand Cru. The 2009 Domaine Leroy Musigny Grand Cru is a truly spectacular wine with raspberry, rose, cherry, and spice aromas. This red wine has a multidimensional palate with satiny tannins.

3. 1847 Chateau d'Yquem, Sauternes ($101,986)

Chateau d’Yquem produces prestigious Sauternes wine that’s considered to be the world’s greatest sweet wine. Wine Spectator gave this wine 99 points, while Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate gave it 100 points.

This exquisite vintage has an incredible nose of ripe raspberries followed by heady vanilla notes. The palate is sweet and luscious with plum and honey flavors. 

4. 2001 Leroy Domaine d'Auvenay Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru, Cote de Beaune ($42,894)

Domaine d’Auvenay is a wine estate based in Cote de Beaune, France. During the 1990s, Lalou Bize Leroy, the renowned owner of Leroy and a shareholder of Romanée-Conti, made an acquisition that would leave a mark in the wine world. Lalou Bize Leroy purchased the esteemed Auvenay winery, further cementing her reputation as a visionary. The 2001 white wine vintage has honey, white flower, and apricot aromas with a textured palate of light fruity flavors.

5. 1959 Egon Muller Scharzhofberger Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese ($41,580)

Weingut Egon Muller works exclusively with Riesling and is based in the Saar Valley in Mosel, Germany. 

This sweet wine has sublime aromas of ripe lemon, rock, minerality, and spices. It has an airy texture on the palate and many flavors that lead to an infinite finish. 

6. 2017 Domaine Georges & Christophe Roumier Musigny Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits ($32,400)

Domaine Georges Roumier produces some of Burgundy’s most expensive and highly rated wines. 

This French wine has aromas of orange rind, cherries and candied peel notes. The palate has black fruit and cassis flavors. 

7. 1959 Dom Perignon Rose, Champagne ($26,636) 

The 1959 vintage was the first Dom Perignon Rose to be produced. But it remained unreleased to the public. It was exclusively reserved for the Shah of Iran's grand celebration marking the 2,500th anniversary of the Persian Empire, which took over a decade to plan and orchestrate. 

The champagne has honey, tobacco, and coffee aromas accompanied by ripe fruit flavors and a warm sweetness and powerful structure. 

8. 2014 Leroy Domaine d'Auvenay Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru, Cote de Beaune ($25,758)

Batard-Montrachet is Domaine d'Auvenay’s Grand Cru vineyard specifically designated for the production of exceptional Chardonnay white wines.

The 2014 vintage exhibits a rich, full-bodied profile with delightful flavors of tangerine, creamy textures, and honeyed nuances. It’s complemented by refined white tannins, dry extract, and a lingering oak finish.

9. 2015 Domaine Leflaive Montrachet Grand Cru, Cote de Beaune ($23,441)

Domaine Leflaive makes Chardonnay wines from four premier cru and four grand cru sites. 

This French wine has a fantastic nose that gives off spring flowers, lemon, and toasted nut aromas. It has a concentrated palate with minerality and a lingering finish. 

10. 2014 Leroy Domaine d'Auvenay Mazis Chambertin Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits ($15,928)

Mazis Chambertin is another of Domaine d’Auvenay’s Grand Cru vineyards that produce age-worthy Pinot Noir wines. 

This pricey wine has alluring scents of forest floor, licorice, dark berries, and cassis. Its graceful palate unveils a silky texture and refined tannins, showcasing elegance in every sip.

11. 2009 Domaine Jean Yves Bizot Echezeaux Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits ($20,455)

Domaine Jean Yves Bizot is a boutique Burgundy winery that has garnered a devoted fan base. Among their offerings is a distinguished Pinot Noir originating from the esteemed Echezeaux Grand Cru vineyard.

This vintage has a dominant aroma of red fruit notes accompanied by excellent acidity and minerality. 

12. 1989 Coche-Dury Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru, Cote de Beaune ($11,624)

Hailed by Robert Parker as one of the greatest winemakers in the world, Jean Francois Coche Dury produces dazzling wines from small yields. 

The 1989 vintage is an exquisite white wine with concentrated flavors, earthy tones, minerality and acidity.

13. 1994 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Montrachet Grand Cru, Cote de Beaune ($9,690)

The Romanee-Conti Montrachet is the only white wine in the DRC stable. DRC only produces a small quantity of this wine, bottling 250 cases annually.

The 1994 Montrachet has aromas of deep mineral spice with hints of orange blossoms and star anise. This full-bodied white wine has a silky texture and good length, with flavors of nuts and spices.

14. W & J Graham’s Ne Oublie' Tawny Port ($7,638)

Made from barrels that date back to 1882, this is one of the most notable releases from W & J Graham’s. 

The sweetness of this good wine intensifies over time with layers of caramel, honey, sugar, orange zest, marzipan, apricot, and almond flavors.

15. 2010 Screaming Eagle Sauvignon Blanc, Oakville ($7,321)

Produced in very limited quantities, Screaming Eagle is California’s most sought-after cult wine. 

This extremely rare white wine vintage was the winery’s inaugural release of Sauvignon Blanc. It has a flowery nose with bright fruit flavors and a long, delicious finish. 

10 Wines That Exceeded Expectations At Auctions

One of the perks that come with being a wine enthusiast and investor is seeing how your favorite wines perform at auctions. Here are 10 instances where wines exceeded all expectations at auction:

1. 1945 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Romanée-Conti Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits ($558,000)
2. 1992 Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley ($500,000)
3. 1945 Chateau Mouton Rothschild (Jeroboam), Pauillac ($310,700)
4. 1947 Chateau Cheval Blanc St Emilion ($304,375)
5. 1907 Charles Heidsieck, Champagne ($275,000)
6. 1869 Chateau Lafite Rothschild, Pauillac ($230,000)
7. 1787 Chateau Margaux, Margaux ($225,000)
8. 2004 Penfolds Block 42 Cabernet Sauvignon, Barossa Valley ($168,000)
9. 1999 Henri Jayer Cros Parantoux, Vosne-Romanee Premier Cru ($136,955)
10. 1811 Chateau d’Yquem, Sauternes $117,000

1. 1945 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Romanée-Conti Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits ($558,000)

In 2018, two bottles of 1945 Romanee-Conti went up for sale at a Sotheby’s wine auction. With just 600 bottles of this 1945 vintage produced, this was already a rare wine straight out of the vineyard. 

The one wine bottle from the Robert Drouhin collection fetched an astounding $558,000 - making it the most expensive bottle of wine sold at auction.

2. 1992 Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley ($500,000)

The wine produced by the Screaming Eagle winery in Napa Valley, California (Oakville appellation) has achieved cult wine status thanks to the small quantities of the Screaming Eagle Cabernet produced. 

At a charity auction in 2000, 1992 Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon left wine drinkers stunned after going under the hammer for $500,000.

3. 1945 Chateau Mouton Rothschild (Jeroboam), Pauillac ($310,700)

Chateau Lafite Rothschild produces some of the most valued and sought-after wines. 

In a 1997 Christie’s auction, a wine lover bought a Jeroboam of this fantastic vintage for a whopping $310,700. Notably, the “V” on the 1945 vintage wine bottle is to pay homage to the Allied Forces during the Second World War. 

4. 1947 Chateau Cheval Blanc St Emilion ($304,375)

Some wine connoisseurs consider the Chateau Cheval Blanc to be the best Bordeaux wine ever made. Chateau Cheval Blanc has the Premier Grand Cru Classe (A) rank in the Classification of Saint Emilion wine. 

So it is no surprise that a single bottle of the 1947 vintage sold for $304,375 at a Christie’s auction in 2010.

5. 1907 Charles Heidsieck, Champagne ($275,000)

In 1998, 2,000 bottles of 1907 Charles Heidsieck were discovered in a Swedish Freighter shipwreck off the coast of Finland. Interestingly, the ship was headed to the Imperial Court of Tsar Nicholas II of Russia but was torpedoed during World War I by the Germans.

A single bottle of this Champagne sold for $275,000 at the auctions. 

6. 1869 Chateau Lafite Rothschild, Pauillac ($230,000)

Chateau Lafite continues to impress with its sought-after wines. At a Hong Kong auction, a private bidder bought three bottles of the 1869 vintage for $230,000 each! 

7. 1787 Chateau Margaux, Margaux ($225,000)

The story of the 1787 Chateau Margaux doesn’t end the way wine collectors would hope. Owned by US President Thomas Jefferson, this Chateau Margaux found itself in the hands of wine trader William Sokolin, who valued it at $225,000. 

He took it to a Bordeaux dinner, and a waiter accidentally bumped the table, causing the bottle to shatter. Even though insurance reimbursed Solokin, he will never fulfill the dream of tasting this stunning wine.

8. 2004 Penfolds Block 42 Cabernet Sauvignon, Barossa Valley ($168,000)

The 2004 Block 42 Cabernet Sauvignon from Penfolds, one of the oldest wineries in South Australia, comes in at $168,000 a bottle. The packaging of this Cabernet Sauvignon is unique. 

The ampoules of Cabernet Sauvignon come in a glass container that can only open by breaking off the end. To make sure it is opened correctly, a winemaker will accompany the buyer to open the ampoule of Cabernet Sauvignon. 

9. 1999 Henri Jayer Cros Parantoux, Vosne-Romanee Premier Cru ($136,955)

Henri Jayer, a producer of red Burgundy wines, was known for making some of the most critically acclaimed Pinot Noirs in the world. 

A case of 1999 Henri Jayer Cros Parantoux wines sold for $136,955 at a Christie’s auction in Hong Kong. 

10. 1811 Chateau d’Yquem, Sauternes ($117,000)

In 2011, Chateau d’Yquem became the most expensive bottle of white wine at an auction in London. The buyer, sommelier Christian Vanneque, who paid the enormous amount of $117,000, plans to enjoy the wine on the 50th anniversary of his career in wine. 

The previous record-holder, the 1787 vintage from Chateau d’Yquem, sold for $100,000 in 2006.

What Makes Wine Expensive?

Not all wines start out as expensive, although there are a few that do. 

A portion of the wine’s price tag includes the production costs itself. 

But, what’s the reason for the huge difference between a $200 wine and a $7,000 wine?

Besides raw material costs, wine-making costs, bottling, branding and marketing costs, several other tangible and intangible factors dictate the price and “perceived value” of good wine.

Let’s take a closer look at eight factors that add to the price tab of wine: 

• Scarcity: If a winery only produces 300 bottles a year, the wine would be more expensive compared to a production of 4000 bottles. 

Also, if a particular vintage has a lower yield than in earlier years, there’ll be a decreased supply of that wine in the market. This would, in turn, lead to higher prices. 

And if it's a limited edition wine, the more bottles are opened for consumption, the rarer the remaining ones become.

• Grapes and Vintages: Grapes from exceptional vintages naturally lead to higher wine prices. The vineyard where the grape is harvested matters - as this affects the taste and age-ability of the wine.
• Age:Wines that can age well for decades in the bottle and improve in taste and value over time. 
• Novelty:Unique packaging or the fact you have to be on a waiting list to receive a bottle of wine affects the price of a wine. 
• Brand:Well-known brands that have been around for ages and consistently produce high-quality wines can command super-high prices. 
• Prestige: The more prestigious the brand is, or the more attention it gets at auctions, the higher its prices will be. 
• Critics rating: If a wine receives high scores from wine critics like Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate or James Suckling, chances are its prices skyrocket. 
• Handling: The wine’s storage and provenance (origin and storage history) can also make the difference between a $200 wine and a $10,000 wine. 

Why Should You Invest in Wine?

Investing in fine wine can offer a wine enthusiast lucrative returns on investment compared to the stock market. 

For example, between 2015-2020, the Liv-Ex Burgundy 150 index, has experienced a remarkable growth of 89.6%. 

This impressive performance translates to an average annual gain of 17.92%, surpassing the S&P 500's average annual gain of approximately 10%.

Fine wine is a tangible asset you can physically own and enjoy, unlike stocks or bonds. Plus, investing in fine wine is a good way to diversify your long-term investment portfolio. 

It has a low correlation with traditional financial assets like stocks and bonds, which means it can act as a hedge against market volatility and help reduce overall portfolio risk.  

So how do you go about investing in fine wine bottles?

The easiest way to do it is by enlisting the services of a world-class online wine investment company like Vinovest. 

Invest In Expensive Wine Easily Through Vinovest

Vinovest is an online wine investment company that lets you buy and store sought-after collectible wines. 

And, if you ever choose to sell a bottle for profit, Vinovest will match you to a buyer and help you find the best price for it.

How It Works

Building a high-performing wine investment portfolio through Vinovest is as easy as enjoying a glass of well-aged whiskey.

1. Sign up on the website with your email and full name. 
2. Answer an easy questionnaire to reveal your investment style. 
3. Top up your account with a minimum of $1,000.
4. Browse through the wines and add them to your portfolio. 

Sit back with your favorite glass of Sauvignon Blanc and watch your wine collection grow in real-time. 

Benefits of buying and storing your wine through Vinovest

Not only do you get to own the most sought-after wines in the world, but you can also enjoy these fantastic benefits. 

• Best Wine Prices: When you buy wines through Vinovest, you can purchase investment-grade wines without having to pay retailer markups. 
• Easy Buying, Selling, And Delivery: You can use Vinovest’s easy-to-use online platform to buy wines with just a few clicks. If you want to sell your bottle, Vinovest will ensure it is delivered in perfect condition. 
• Secured Optimal Storage: As an avid wine collector, you can let your wines age gracefully in the state-of-the-art storage facilities at Vinovest. Every bottle of wine you own will also be under 24/7 monitoring.
• Insurance Coverage: Your wine is insured with an FDIC equivalent, meaning that all of your wine is fully insured at market value. 
• Provenance And Authenticity:When you work with Vinovest, they do all the hard work of authenticating your expensive wine. 
• Low Overall Costs: You could enjoy the world of fine wine investment and all the Vinovest benefits for an annual fee of 2.5% (1.9% for portfolios of $50,000 and above.) 
• Ownership: Even though Vinovest stores your wine and helps you find it, every bottle you buy is 100% yours. 

2 FAQs About Expensive Wine

Here are other facts you may want to know about expensive wines:

1. What Is the Rarest Type of Wine?

Caberlot is the rarest type of wine. It’s a cross between Cabernet Franc and Merlot.

2. How Long Can a Wine Bottle Be Stored Unopened?

The longevity of an unopened wine bottle depends on its storage conditions, like temperature, humidity, and exposure to sunlight. The wine’s characteristics, like acidity, tannins, sugar, and alcohol content, also affect its shelf life. While unopened red wine can be stored for 2-10 years, white wine lasts only for about 1-7 years. Premium red vintage labels are exceptions to the rule and can be stored for 20-30 years or even more. In contrast, an opened bottle of wine is good for just 3-5 days. So, you should finish your favorite tipple as soon as it’s opened.

Start Building Your Most Expensive Wine Collection 

You can dive headfirst into the wine investment world and buy the most expensive Cabernet you can find today. But, it might be more conducive for your investment goals to find the right wines that will perform well over time.

By working with the Master Sommelier team at Vinovest, no investment will be too risky. 

Sign up with Vinovest and start building your high-performing wine portfolio.