The 10 Most Expensive Wines in the World
From Domaine de le Romanée-Conti to Screaming Eagle, here are the wines that command the biggest bucks.
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2018 was a record-breaking year for wine auctions. In October, Sotheby’s sold a bottle of 1945 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Romanee-Conti for the staggering price of $558,000—more than 17 times the high estimate of $32,000 (the total sale of wine from producer Robert Drouhin’s personal cellar garnered $7.3 million). “The new world record established in today’s sale is further proof that the demand for wine and spirits of exceptional quality is at an all-time high, and that global collectors are willing to go the extra mile to acquire the rarest bottles of any kind,” Jamie Ritchie, worldwide head of Sotheby’s Wine, said at the time.
Here, with figures courtesy of the Wine-Searcher database, are the 10 most expensive bottles on the market today.
Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Romanée-Conti Grand Cru
Average Price: $19,702
Maximum Price: $551,314
The Burgundy producer Domaine Romanée-Conti, known as “DRC” to collectors, consistently commands the highest prices in the world of wine. Its top vineyard, Romanée-Conti, encompasses just 4.5 acres.
Domaine Leroy Musigny Grand Cru
Average Price: $19,702
Maximum Price: $551,314
Another Burgundy offering, Domaine Leroy practices biodynamic farming.
Egon Muller Scharzhofberger Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese
Average Price: $13,220
Maximum Price: $33,883
The most expensive white wine is this riesling from the Mosel region of Germany. The Müller family has been producing wines in the steep, slate vineyards there since 1797.
Domaine Georges & Christophe Roumier Musigny Grand Cru
Average Price: $12,882
Maximum Price: $25,222
Georges Roumier established his domaine in 1924, and his son and grandson, Jean-Marie and Christophe Roumier, took over the winemaking after his death in 1965. Today it is made up of about 28.5 acres in the Chambolle-Musigny, Morey-Saint-Denis, and Corton-Charlemagne regions of Burgundy.
Average Price: $10,030
Maximum Price: $15,242
Domaine Leflaive bottles can be found for less than $75, but wines from the 12 acres of grand cru vineyards go for much more.
Average Price: $8,285
Maximum Price: $9,499
This fortified wine from Portugal was produced the same year Thomas Jefferson was sworn in for his second presidential term. Try finding anything else this old that’s still drinkable — it’ll be tough.
Average Price: $7,924
Maximum Price: $108,000
DRC is also known for this white wine, as few as 250 cases of which are released each year.
Domaine Leroy Chambertin Grand Cru
Average Price: $7,480
Maximum Price: $16,769
Lalou Bize-Leroy founded Domaine Leroy in 1988. Chambertin is the second of her grands crus to make this list.
WINE-SEARCHER.COM
Average Price: $6,015
Maximum Price: $10,280
A vintage with a post-world-war appeal that is known for its full-bodied taste profile. Only 700 bottles are made a year.
Screaming Eagle Sauvignon Blanc
Average Price: $5,983
Maximum Price: $9,058
Screaming Eagle is primarily known for its cult cabernet sauvignon, but its sauvignon blanc production is even more limited.
