Most expensive wines ever sold 2025
The most expensive wines in the world 2025 capture perfection in every bottle. With rare vintages and legendary histories, these wines embody the art of winemaking at its most refined and valuable.
1. Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon 1992 – $500,000
This Napa Valley wine broke records when a 6-liter bottle sold at auction for $500,000 in 2000. Screaming Eagle is a cult winery known for its limited production and extraordinary quality. The 1992 vintage marked their debut, immediately garnering critical acclaim. With rich blackberry notes, refined tannins, and perfect balance, it’s not just a wine — it’s a symbol of prestige. The bottle was sold during a charity auction, further boosting its value and allure.
Image at The Most Luxurious Red Wines in the World | The Most Popular
2. Jeroboam of Chateau Mouton-Rothschild 1945 – $310,000
This 1945 vintage is among the finest ever produced by Château Mouton-Rothschild. Coming from one of Bordeaux’s top estates, it symbolizes both luxury and history. Bottled shortly after the end of World War II, the wine’s label even commemorates the Allied victory. A jeroboam, equivalent to 3 liters, makes it even rarer. Collectors prize its deep flavor profile, which includes dark fruits, earthy notes, and a velvety finish — a true masterpiece of aged Bordeaux.
Image at 1945 Chateau Mouton Rothschild headlines record breaking wine sale
3. Château Cheval Blanc 1947 – $305,000
Often hailed as one of the greatest Bordeaux wines ever, the 1947 Cheval Blanc delivers exceptional richness and depth. With powerful aromas, concentrated fruit, and a silky texture, it stands apart from other vintages. It was produced in a year of extreme heat, giving it an unusually opulent character. One bottle sold for $305,000 at auction, due to both its rarity and status as a legendary vintage from a world-renowned right-bank estate.
Image at Wine for Sale in Online Auctions – Catawiki
4. Shipwrecked Heidsieck 1907 – $275,000
Discovered in 1998 in a shipwreck at the bottom of the Baltic Sea, this 1907 Heidsieck champagne carries a unique story. Intended for Russian nobility but lost during World War I, the bottles were salvaged nearly a century later. Despite the passage of time, the cold seabed preserved the wine remarkably well. Collectors value it not only for its taste but also for its maritime history. It is one of the rarest and most intriguing champagnes ever sold.
Image at The Shout Magazine (New Zealand)
5. Château Lafite Rothschild 1869 – $230,000
When a bottle of the 1869 Lafite Rothschild sold in Hong Kong for $230,000, it shocked the wine world. The buyer, anonymous but enthusiastic, paid this staggering sum for the prestige of owning a bottle from one of Bordeaux’s most iconic estates. Known for elegance and aging potential, Lafite wines are already expensive — but this 19th-century bottle’s pristine condition and history made it truly priceless to collectors.
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6. Château Margaux 1787 – $225,000
Believed to have once belonged to Thomas Jefferson, this bottle of 1787 Château Margaux carries immense historical value. Although its contents were never consumed (the bottle was reportedly broken), it sold for $225,000 due to its provenance. Jefferson was a noted wine connoisseur and U.S. ambassador to France, and his initials were engraved on the bottle. This sale illustrates how history and association can sometimes outweigh the wine itself.
Image at Château Margaux – Bordeaux Tradition – Négoce de Vins
7. Ampoule from Penfolds – $168,000
Penfolds, Australia’s most prestigious winery, released only 12 of these hand-blown glass ampoules containing 2004 Kalimna Block 42 Cabernet Sauvignon. Each ampoule came with a bespoke experience: a senior winemaker would personally open the wine for the buyer anywhere in the world. The unique packaging, along with the rarity of the wine — sourced from some of the world’s oldest cabernet vines — elevated its price and made it a one-of-a-kind collector’s piece.
Image at Penfolds: Curating Australia’s National Treasure | Denomination
8. Château Lafite Rothschild 1787 – $156,450
Another bottle linked to Thomas Jefferson, this 1787 Lafite fetched $156,450 at auction. Though questions remain about its authenticity, the association with Jefferson alone dramatically increased its value. Like the Château Margaux of the same era, this bottle serves as a symbol of how wine and history can intertwine. Today, it is more of a historical artifact than a drinkable wine — but its story continues to captivate collectors and historians alike.
Image at Lafite-Rothschild 1787 Château Lafite-Rothschild | Your personal wine professional | Tastingbook
9. Henri Jayer, Vosne-Romanée Cros Parantoux 1999 – $136,955
Henri Jayer is considered a legend in Burgundy, and his wines are almost mythical in status. This particular bottle from the 1999 vintage, crafted just before his retirement, sold for $136,955. Sourced from the tiny and exclusive Cros Parantoux vineyard, the wine boasts pure fruit, elegant structure, and incredible depth. Its rarity, paired with Jayer’s cult-like following, makes it one of the most coveted Burgundies ever bottled.
10. Cheval Blanc St-Emilion 1947 – $135,125
Similar to the earlier mentioned 1947 Cheval Blanc, this St-Émilion version also stands out for its intense concentration and warmth, characteristics shaped by that year’s hot summer. This bottle represents not just impeccable craftsmanship but also scarcity, which drives up the price. It’s a benchmark vintage that wine enthusiasts often reference when discussing Bordeaux greatness. With only a few well-preserved bottles left, its value continues to rise.
Image at Cheval Blanc 1947 de Château Cheval Blanc – TINTINOMANIA
This top list shows the top 10 most expensive wines of all time.
Sources:
The Most Expensive Wines Ever Sold | Top 10 Wines Sold (vin-x.com)
The Top 10 Most Expensive Wines in the World (luxatic.com)
The 20 Most Expensive Wines In the World (wealthygorilla.com)