Few things in the world improve in quality and value with age. Aged wine is one of those things, defined by elegance, rarity and finesse. Whether you love indulging in a glass with dinner or are drawn to the thrill of owning something truly one of a kind, this niche market will certainly appeal to you.
The Oldest Bottles of Wine
With meticulous curation and decades of ageing, few vintages in the world have a six figure net-worth. Let’s explore these precious gems in the world of wine.
1. Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Grand Cru 1945 - $558,000
This wine is a burgundy hailing from Domaine Romanee-Conti in France. Its staggering price comes from the exceptional circumstances under which it was made. In the aftermath of World War II in 1945, Domaine was able to produce only 600 bottles of wine due to shortage of resources. Domaine de la Romanee-Conti was one of the few wines that the county yielded. Besides the circumstances, Domaine’s reputed viticulture added to the price tag.
The Rominee-Conti is known for its aromatics of dark fruits, sweet spice and hints of forest. This wine acquired its price of $558,000 at an auction at Geneva, Switzerland, making it the most expensive aged wine in the world. Interestingly, the bid started at $32,000 – that is a 1643.75% leap!
2. Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon 1992 – $500,000
1992 was the first ever vintage produced by Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon. Only 175 cases were produced and Screaming Eagle Cabernet was still finding its footing as a luxury wine producer at that time. The 1992 is viewed as a testament to American viticulture. It has blackcurrant notes working with savoury hints of sage and truffle paired with aromas of oak, vanilla and mint, creating a precarious but flavourful balance. It is aged in 60% new oak,unfined and unfiltered.
Its value comes from its impressive flavour profile, scarcity and its repute of being one of Napa Valley’s gems. It was sold for $500,000 at a charity auction in California in 2000.
3. Jeroboam of Chateau Mouton-Rothschild 1945 – $310,700
Jeroboam was produced in the vineyards of Nathaniel Rothschild and is known as one of the best wines made in the last 100 years. Its label bears the famous ‘V’ symbol, signifying the victory of the allied forces in World War II. It has a blackberry and oak flavour, with aromas of vanilla and baking spices. It was sold at an auction in London to an anonymous buyer.
4. Cheval Blanc 1947 – $304,375
Hailing from Saint-Emilion, a commune in France, the Cheval Blanc 1947 is known as one the most iconic vintages to have ever existed. This wine has stood the test of time in spite of breaking all the rules of winemaking. It is excessive on every front, with 15% alcohol content and 3.5 grams of residual sugar per litre. Its production was untamed in quantity as well – yields were 75 hectolitres per hectare. At present, there are only 16 verified bottles at the Chateau Nenin.
After World War II, wines were hard to produce, as oak barrels were difficult to come by. The Cheval Blanc would have been aged in pre-war barrels, which were likely worn out and repaired by the makers. Many of the grapes had shrivelled in the heat by the time it reached the cellar. So, the Cheval Blanc’s astounding quality is indeed a miracle. It is extremely thick in texture, almost like oil. It has an atypical flavour profile, with a nose of fruitcake, chocolate, leather, coffee and spices.
This wine was owned by the Jacques Fourcaud-Loussac family, who had lived on the property since the 19th century. In 1988, Bernard Arnault, CEO of luxury goods group LVMH, and Belgian tycoon Baron Albert Frère acquired the property and the wines. The Cheval Blanc 1947 is valued at $304,375.
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5. Château Lafite 1869 – $230,000
The Chateau Lafite 1869 is the first vintage that was produced by the Rothschild family. Its value comes from its age and the legacy of the wine estate, located in Pauillac, France. Baron James de Rosthschild, one of the key members of the Rothschild dynasty, purchased the vineyard for 5 million francs. After his death, the estate was rife with trouble, with two world wars descending on it. World War II was particularly difficult, as the estate was occupied by German soldiers who plundered the cellars. However, it survived the war and the family focused on producing prestigious wines.
It is one of the most famous wineries in the world, with 103 hectares dedicated to growing wines of all kinds. Owing to its quality and longevity, it is believed to be one of the best wines to hail from Bordeaux. It has a rich kick of red berries, tobacco, truffle, lead pencil and spicy notes. Three of these bottles were sold at the Hong Kong Sotheby’s auction for $230,000 each.
6. Chateau Margaux 1787 – $225,000
The Chateau Margaux is located on the left bank of Bordeaux and has been around for more than three centuries. It has always been at the top of its viticulture game. During the Bordeaux economic depression, Greek businessman Andre Mentzelopoulos invested heavily in the vineyard. 1787 was born out of this renovation initiative. Its exceptional flavour and elite status were recognised almost immediately, perhaps because of Chateau Margaux’s enduring esteem.
Thomas Jefferson, former President of the United States, loved this wine and referred to it as the “best Bordeaux he has ever had”. In fact, the 1787 from his collection could have been the most expensive wine ever sold, as it was valued at $500,000. It was brought by a wine merchant named William Sokolin to a Margaux dinner, but was knocked over by a server. The broken bottle claimed $225,000 in insurance.
7. Ampoule from Penfolds, Block-42 Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 – $168,000
The Block 42-Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 is a limited edition wine from Australia’s Penfolds. It’s not kept in a bottle, but in an ampoule within a glass vestibule. It can be opened by breaking off its end, which can be done only by trained winemakers. Only twelve of these ampoules filled with Block-42 Cabernet were made, with 11 available for purchase, each retailing at $168,000. The remaining one was reserved for the Penfolds Museum in Australia.
Besides its unique engineering, what makes this wine stand out is its modern ambition. Unlike many expensive aged wines, this one is not an imperial bottle or fraught with major historical events. It has a strong scent of black cherries, orange liqueur, tangerines and a hint of cloves. The flavour-profile is filled with summer fruits, a dash of spice and a touch of fig. It is the most expensive wine to have been sold in retail.
8. Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1787 – $156,450
The Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1787 was recovered nearly 200 years later in a cellar in Paris. It was a bordeaux, which has a shelf-life of 50 years, rendering it undrinkable. However, the dusty bottle had markers of significant quality with engravings from 18th century France. What makes this bottle even more valuable are the initials “ThJ” engraved on it. These initials led people to believe that the bottle belonged to former American President Thomas Jefferson, who had developed a taste for French wine
The 1787 Lafite was bought as Jefferson memorabilia for $156,450 and is part of the Forbes Collection in New York.
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9. Henri Jayer, Vosne-Romanée Cros Parantoux 1999 – $136,955
The Vosne-Romanee Cros Parantoux 1999 was crafted by Henri Jayer, known as the “Master of Pinot Noir”. He was responsible for innovating many techniques in winemaking. The Vosne-Romanee Cros Parantoux is a full-bodied Pinot Noir, with an aroma of Vosne style spice, moderate oak, earth and violets. Jayer’s reputation in the industry and the wine’s punchy flavour profile has bestowed the wine with its elite status.
It was sold at a Christie's Hong Kong sale for $136,955.
10. Massandra Sherry de la Frontera 1775 – $43,500
Hailing from Jeres de la Frontera in Spain, Massandra Sherry is believed to be one of Europe’s oldest wines. It is from the Massandra Winery collection, which is known as the 'Treasure Trove of Wines' because it includes over a million vintages and preserves one bottle of everything it produces in its library. The creation process has been gatekept by the winemakers. It has a deep golden hue and its flavour profile has hints of bitter almond and walnut.
It is famous for its powerful "manly strength”, which is enhanced by the typical sherry nose of raisins and roasted nuts. In 2001, a single bottle of Massandra Sherry 1775 was auctioned for $43,500 in London to an unidentified buyer. Aged wine embodies fascinating history and remarkable craftsmanship. Needless to say, developing a palate for fine wine is a luxury worth striving for.
