We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website. There was also plenty of the 2008 vintage on offer, but its fate was less certain. "There was a big round of applause, some cheers, and a little bit of shock and amazement," recalled Robert . In the white corner by which one generally means Sauternes the best vintages years are 2015, 2014, 2011 and 2009. It . Chteau Mouton Rothschild was promoted to the Premier Grand Cru Class after a long campaign for promotion in 1973. And he, Robert Parker, a relatively new and little-known American wine critic, staked his life on the credibility of that vintage as one of the best of the 20th century. This vintage could well go down in history as the most expensive bottle of wine never sold. Of course, the influence of cinema is also huge, with a Hong Kong-made film contributing to this legendary story set in China. A bottle of 1869 Chteau Lafite Rothschild holds the world record for the most expensive bottle of wine sold at auction for $233,973 in 2010. Pauillac has a fantastic terroir near the Gironde estuary, so a Lafite from this region is ideal. The Pauillac appellation is where the other First Growths Chteau Latour and Chteau Mouton Rothschild are located. [21], GBP closed at ~$1.48 on the day of the auction per, For the controversy, which is still unresolved, see, Last edited on 19 February 2023, at 22:59, "The Most Expensive Wine Ever Sold at Auction", "History | Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite)", "CHATEAU LAFITE 1787 - The World's Most Expensive Wine", "Saskia de Rothschild On Building a Winemaking Empire - Maxim", "Worldwise: Vintner Saskia de Rothschild's Favorite Things", "A bottle of 1787 wine apparently bottled for Thomas", "Wine Lover's Nose For Fakery Leads To Famed Bottles", "Chteau Lafite cracks open its first Chinese vintage", "Chateau Lafite Rothschild, Pauillac, France: prices", "Lafite-Rothschild 2008 Falls to $8,800 Five-Month Low on Liv-Ex", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chteau_Lafite_Rothschild&oldid=1140398124, This page was last edited on 19 February 2023, at 22:59. With a surprisingly clever search engine alongside bottle reviews and articles from trusted voices in wine, youre just a click and a clink away from your new favorite bottle. In addition to being one of the first growth wines from Bordeaux, it is one of the most expensive. The only known bottle in the Imperial format was expected to sell for between US$150,000-$200,000, but smashed its estimates to sell for $304,375 (192,000). With the 2009, it turned out, the Chinese wanted to buy more of it than we had to sell, says Salin, who retired in 2018. Copyright 2023 Cult Wines Ltd. All Rights Reserved. [15] On 29 October 2010 the record was broken at a Sotheby's auction in Hong Kong three bottles of 1869 Chateau Lafite-Rothschild were sold for HK$1.8M (US$232,692) each.[16]. Great length and probably a few years off its peak. why is 1982 lafite so expensive - challengeairsea.net A nearly two-century-old bottle of Chateau Lafite, believed to have been part of an order set aside for Thomas Jefferson, commanded $156,450 today at an auction here. [19], Across all vintages Lafite Rothschild is one of the most expensive wines in the world, with the average price per 750 ml bottle reaching $1175. Why is lafite so expensive? - Your Quick QnA Inglenook Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, 1941 17,250. The fresh wine was then aged in new barriques, produced at Lafites own cooperage, for almost two years before bottling. The mood inside the Mandarin Oriental, one of Hong Kongs most luxurious hotels, was anxious. A bottle of Lafite can cost upwards of $500, making it one of the most expensive wines on the market. Not only was the wine famous, it was also a First Growth chateaux. Three bottles of Chteau Lafite-Rothschild 1869 sold for HK$1.8 million each. 1982 Chateau Lafite Rothschild Brings $41,175 To Lead Heritage Auctions Chteau Lafite Rothschild is a wine estate in the Pauillac region of the Mdoc, producing one of the most sought-after and expensive red wines in the world. Chateau Lafite Rothschild | Pauillac | Wine Academy | Cult Wines This was an headline vintage of outstanding quality throughout Bordeaux, with ripeness levels not seen for many years. The wines have a vibrant acidity and a firm tannic structure which enables the wines to age gracefully over many decades in the successful vintages. She is the youngest woman leading a Premier Grand Cru Bordeaux estate. Wine Lists. Chateau Margaux creeps into the top 10 again with its limited edition 12-litre 2009 vintage. So, now you know why the '82 Lafite is so expensive, right? Estimate: 3,0004,000. Occasionally exceptions are made, such as the 1961 vintage which was 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. There was a lot at stake. What does "Lafite in 1982" mean?Where does this "stalk" come from and China's Vintage Alco Pop? Explaining Maotai's Price Spiral - WSJ Check with the merchant for stock availability. And the owners of Lafite's range of basic Bordeaux generic wines called Lgende sell . Grand Tasting of 1982 - Fine Wines SG Each spring after harvest, an event called En Primeur takes place, to which wine merchants and journalists are invited to taste the wine while its still in the barrel. Christies International Head of Wine Tim Triptree MW explains why its so highly sought after. Offered in The Treasury: Finest Wines from a Peerless Collection on 29 September 2022 at Christies in London. When Salin joined Lafite as its new director in 1985, he intended to use Lafites reputation to full advantage. This is not a bad thing, but it is slightly different. Years of use usually result in bottles costing several hundred dollars, and prices rise as they become scarcer. Some estates overcropped as the yield was generous, but dilution was rare. The coveted title of most expensive Champagne is constantly on the move, claimed by just two other vintages during the last decade. The 2011 in particular has immense aging potential. Christian Seely, Bordeauxs director of estates, oversees a portfolio that includes the estates of Pichon-Longueville-Baron, Pibran, Petit-Village, and Suduiraut. He enjoys participating in the final blending, though is willing to be overruled by his team of professionals. But it was a small market, complicated by the way that top Bordeaux is sold: Bordeauxs custom is to sell its wines two years before they are bottled. Fourth, Lafite is one of the most prestigious wine producers in the world. Lafite is blessed with a fantastic terroir near to the Gironde estuary in the northern part of Pauillac, close to the border with St-Estphe. They're wrong. But what happened that night wasn't just a coup for Lafite. On this, the first day of the auction, Ritchie had 2,000 bottles of Chteau Lafite Rothschild to put under the hammer. A year after he took over the management in 1974, he hired Professor Emile Peynaud as consultant. Its not a blockbuster year but the tannins and the fruit were ripe and we should see wines at the same quality level as 2012 (an underrated year in my book) or perhaps 2014. The 1982, considered one of the best vintages of last century, was the most expensive lot fetching $42,350, including a 21 percent commission known as buyers premium. Estimate: 3,000-4,000. Billed by many as the finest wine ever produced by the estate, only six bottles have been made, and one was sold to an Asian buyer in Dubai in 2013 for an eye-watering 122,380. These nuances continue to evolve and change through the wines long life and the type of bottle format will also influence this evolution, as the general rule is that the larger the format the slower the evolution due to less oxygen compared to the volume of wine, which means those lucky enough to have magnums, double-magnums, jeroboams or imperials of Lafite can enjoy their wines over a longer drinking window period. Learn More >, It was October 2010, and auctioneer Jamie Ritchie of Sothebys was in the room, preparing to open the bidding on top wines of Bordeaux. Irrespective of whether in bottles or magnums or larger, Lafite should be an important part of your fine wine collection. Every year, a different artist is commissioned by the winery. Today the vineyard is 107 hectares, but back then it was about 90ha still larger than any other first growth. This would be a historic low, said the ministry 16% lower than the five-year average and worse than 1991, a vintage also hit hard by frost. 82 years Lafite why so expensive - Distillery.sale This rare six-litre bottle of Bordeaux wine was sold to a private collector during a sale at Christies in Geneva. This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. The Lafite Rothschild vineyards in the Bordeaux region of France produce a wide range of red, white, and ros wines. Those 2,000 bottles covered 169 vintages taken from the personal family cellar of Baron ric de Rothschild. But what happened that night wasnt just a coup for Lafite. Wine Legend: Chteau Lafite-Rothschild 1982 - Decanter [5] Towards the end of the 18th century, Lafite's reputation was assured and even Thomas Jefferson visited the estate and became a lifelong customer. In 1868 the Chteau was purchased by Baron James Mayer Rothschild for 4.4 million francs, and the estate became Chteau Lafite Rothschild. Regardless of whether the Lafite is in a bottle or a magnum, it should be included in your fine wine collection. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc & Petit Verdot. The bottles had been shipped directly from Lafites own cellars; among them, a bottle of 1869 Lafite, its price estimated at $8,000. At the beginning of the 18th century Lafites wine was sold in London, where it was reported to be a favourite of the Prime Minister, Robert Walpole, who was reputed to have purchased barrels of 1732 and 1733. Or youre an unabashed cork dork hunting for that Slovenian stunner you sipped on vacation. Lafite lies at the northern end of Pauillac. Covid has seen a lot of unspent wealth build up and wine is reaping the benefits. The soil is deep gravel on perfectly drained, gently undulating slopes. Firstly, there is the 1982 vintage. The designations remain in force today, putting Lafite at the pinnacle of Bordeaux. Chteau Only twelve copies of this doll were made by Mattel. So drinking a bottle of 1982 Lafite Rothschild meant you were enjoying the best wine made, and if you in turn gave a bottle as a gift . In October 2019, the 2017 vintage of Long Dai its first went on sale in Europe. The price of other Bordeaux wines, Since then, the overall Chinese wine market has become globally significant. In Bordeaux, as almost anywhere else in the world of fine wine, wines get more expensive as they get older, and that effect accelerates the older the wine becomes. Why is lafite so expensive? Price starts low and is sold to the highest bidder. Discover what else your investment offers. When it went for $233,972, it became the most expensive wine ever sold. The wines were ranked in importance from first to fifth growths (crus), with four first growths listed initially (Mouton Rothschild was added in 1973). Limited availability. [20] Prices for Carruades de Lafite rose dramatically due in part to Chinese demand, with the prices of its 2005 and 2000 vintage fetching over 10,000 per case. There are a few factors that contribute to the high cost of Lafite wine. When the 1855 classification was made, Lafite was listed first among the four first growths earning the reputation 'the first among the firsts'. Robert Parker gave this vintage a score of 100 points, and legend has it that he tasted this vintage 11 times and was satisfied with 100 points each time. Chteau Lafite Rothschild - Wikipedia Although it is less than 1 million a bottle of Kande red wine, I can't bear to drink it when I buy it back. Great length and probably a few years off its peak. Our company is the leading company of still equipment in China, with the strength of providing vodka, gin, run, whisky, brandy making machines. The wine is typically aged for at least 18 months, and sometimes up to 24 months, before it is released. 2022 Distillery.Sale All rights reserved. In France, Lafite became known as the King's wine, after being introduced to the Court at Versailles by Marchal Richelieu. The 2005 and 2000 vintages of Carruades de Lafite have skyrocketed in price due to increased demand from China, with the 2005 vintage fetching more than 10,000 per case and the 2000 vintage fetching nearly 12,000. Within the five rarefied first growths, Lafite is perhaps the wine with the best reputation for quality and longevity, commanding correspondingly high prices. Discover how your secure fine wine investment is stored. Therefore, a soil that is too fertile may not be what's best for a vineyard; an arid hillside may yield richer grapes than a green stretch of land by a river. And it was our thank you to China for helping us through the years., But what happened that night wasnt just a coup for Lafite. The vintages are well-known and highly regarded by wine experts. Robert Parker said the wine reveals considerable tannin as well as amazing, atypical power and concentration for Lafite, and rated it 100. Half of those cases went to China. Chteau Lafite Rothschild is one of the most expensive wines in the world, with prices ranging from $911 per 750 ml bottle to $1,699 per 750 ml bottle. Ritchie took his place and the bidding began. The best Chateau Lafite Rothschild should be aged at least 15 years in a glass. On this, the first day of the auction, Ritchie had 2,000 bottles of. World's Most Expensive Wines - Forbes to put under the hammer. ). The mystique extends beyond the wine in Beijing, there is a La Fite. In Bordeaux, 2016 was a strange year. drinkable). The style of wines proved a terrific shot in the arm for claret, especially on the US market. This week's news roundup covers all the major themes romance, money and crime. Other full-bodied wines with robust structures will also age well, but we zeroed in on these nine as our top choices for the cellar treatment. In 1982, Lafite became the representative of high-end wine in the eyes of most Chinese people because of the promotion of Hong Kong movies, and then became the representative of the entire wine community. As a result, the appeal of this Pauillac wine has always been based on Lafite. Discover our range of fine wines from around the world. Privacy Policy, The Treasury: Finest Wines from a Peerless Collection. It has a fruity taste with a hint of oak. The vines are planted in well-drained soil made up of fine, deep gravel, mixed with aeolian sand on a subsoil of tertiary limestone. Critic tasting note: "(2002) Similar colour, but has retained more depth at core. The Drop is an online magazine that connects people to wines theyll love. The Global Financial Crisis was still in full swing, and collectors across the world, including in the all-important U.S. market, had abandoned expensive wines. Michael Broadbent rated it highly from the outset, and his subsequent notes remarked on its fragrance and slow evolution. The Krug 1928 set a new record in 2009 at Acker Merrall & Condits first ever Hong Kong sale. How Chteau Lafite Changed the World of Wine - Pix The fight between Chteau Mouton Rothschild and Bordeaux was one of the most significant in modern history. Soon after, it was available in the United States at $300 (now $600). At the beginning of ageing, the quality of 2017 red wines from vineyards spared by frost are proving to be satisfactory to very good. Salin had not only helped open up the Chinese market for fine wines, he was now helping to open Western markets to prestige wines made in China. [2] In 1797 the vineyards were sold to a group of Dutch merchants.[5]. Third, Lafite ages its wine for a longer period of time than most other producers. Because his zodiac sign was Aries, Baron Philippe de Rothschild depicted two rams in his coat of arms. Succeeding his uncle lie de Rothschild, Lafite has been under the direction of ric de Rothschild from 1974 to 2018, when he was succeeded by his daughter, Saskia de Rothschild. The move helped establish Lafite as a leader in the market. takes place, to which wine merchants and journalists are invited to taste the wine while its still in the barrel. That is certainly the case with the 1982 Lafite. Chateau Lafite tastes like a fine wine should taste. Direct from the producer, in-stock and available for sale at the price shown. Is Chateau Lafite an expensive wine? 1982 Chateau Lafite Rothschild - Wine-Searcher The core is plummy and rich, with notes of bramble and earth, but then a creamy layer of blackcurrant adds to a fleshy mid-palate. Bordeaux are known for their age-ability. - Dusseldorf - Germany. Across all vintages Lafite Rothschild is one of the most expensive wines in the world, with the average price per 750 ml bottle reaching $911. World Class Wine. Why is everything so expensive? A quick look at what 1982-level [18], In addition to the first growth, around a third of the wine is released as a second wine under the label Carruades de Lafite. Chteau Lafite-Rothschild 2005. Please sign in or create a free account to . Second, the grapes used to make Lafite wine are of the highest quality. Unfinished and not yet bottled. The wine is without a doubt one of the best Bordeaux wines to come out. The purity of fruit here really pushes through to the finish. And Salin had another plan in motion. Amongst these Pauillac wines, Lafite has always held a particular allure. Should go on for decades." The grapes are grown in the best vineyards in Bordeaux and are carefully selected to create the perfect blend. Even the best Bordeaux only lasts around 50 years, so why the incredible price tag for this one in 1985? Four good reasons to indulge in cryptocurrency! And it would be a public humiliation for one of the wine worlds premier chteaux. If this first auction day failed, it forecast doom for the chteaux offering their wines on subsequent days. The growing season was idyllic with both budburst and flowering occurring under perfect conditions. Californias Best-Kept Wine Secret: Santa Cruz Mountains, The Bottles That Shaped Tony Parkers Love of Wine, Heavy Metal Fans Drink Muscadet and You Should Too, Get to Know Portugals Stunning White Wines. With Christmas around the corner, here's this year's best Bordeaux in case you need to stock up. According to the 1855 Classification of the Bordeaux Grands Crus Class prepared for the Universal Exhibition in Paris, Lafite was officially ranked first. 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