Serious collectors dont deal in small fry, but are their chequebooks up to the cash demands of the most expensive wines in the world? During the ageing period, the wine would have been regularly racked and then fined before bottling. 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.. What year is the most expensive Lafite? Why is the 82 Lafite so expensive? Over time, the tannins loose a lot of the fight in them as the remain in an anaerobic environment, and mellow. When Salin joined Lafite as its new director in 1985, he intended to use Lafites reputation to full advantage. Baron Philippe is the first and only person to accomplish this. Coordinates: .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}451330N 04623W / 45.22500N 0.77306W / 45.22500; -0.77306. More importantly, it was one of only four Bordeaux wineries given the top First Growth rating when the regions wine merchants drew up a quality classification in 1855. So, what makes Lafite wine so expensive? To recap what we all know to have been a great season, 1982 saw a dry and mild spring, allowing an excellent flowering followed by a dry and hot summer with regular small showers and fresher nights in August. Our company is the leading company of still equipment in China, with the strength of providing vodka, gin, run, whisky, brandy making machines. Wholesalers' Online Wine Claims Don't Stand Up, Chile Seduces China and a Winemaker Romance, Some Comfort for Wine Ponzi Scheme Victims, Popularity relative to other wines, spirits and beers, Chateau Lafite Rothschild 'Carruades de Lafite', Chateau Lafite Rothschild Vertical Collection, Chateau Lafite Rothschild The Almanac Case, Chateau Lafite Rothschild 'Carruades de Lafite' The Curve Vertical. For completeness we may include critic scores in our aggregation that we do not display. Before long he was known as the "Wine Prince", and the wine of Chteau Lafite called "The King's Wine" thanks to the influential support of the Marchal de Richelieu. Lafite only produces a few thousand cases of wine each year, which drives up the price. Chteau Lafite-Rothschild 2005. There was also plenty of the 2008 vintage on offer, but its fate was less certain. The 2008 was a good, but not great, vintage and the scores it had achieved from the all-important wine critics reflected that. This bottle was a Bordeaux, a 1787 Chateau Lafite, and, according to The Guinness Book of World Records, 18 years later it still is the world's most expensive bottle of wine.Its great age alone . . Drinks Business Asia edition? Wine investment insights delivered straight into your inbox weekly. Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1982 Cheval Blanc 1982 Petrus 1982. Chateau Lafite-Rothschild, 1787 . The Premier Cru ponzi scheme has left thousands out of pocket, but there may be a glimmer of hope. 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. This vintage could well go down in history as the most expensive bottle of wine never sold. Regardless of whether the Lafite is in a bottle or a magnum, it should be included in your fine wine collection. But Salin had something up his sleeve that he hoped would give the auction a boost. Lafite, derived from the historic language term fite, which means mound or hillock, is said to have been first used in 1234. They're wrong. 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 . Its vines are Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Marselan. Estimate: 3,0004,000. Critic tasting note: "(2002) Similar colour, but has retained more depth at core. The 1982 vintage is one of the best wines I have had the privilege to taste when it is on song, with impressive concentration of cassis fruit character with the classic cedar and cigar box aromatics, supremely well balanced and the finish went on and on a truly impressive wine! The mystique extends beyond the wine in Beijing, there is a La Fite. Amazon Pauses Construction on Second Headquarters in Virginia as It Cuts Jobs, Stock Traders Are Ignoring Blaring Bond Alarms, iPhone Maker Plans $700 Million India Plant in Shift From China, Russia Is Getting Around Sanctions to Secure Supply of Key Chips for War. Will His AI Plans Be Any Different? The wine producers were classified according to a chteaus reputation and trading price, which, at that time, was directly related to quality. Photo courtesy of DBR Lafite. Mobile: +254 798 368 561. In October 2019, the 2017 vintage of Long Dai its first went on sale in Europe. Chteau Lafite Rothschild is undoubtedly one of the worlds most prestigious and collectable wines. We reach the climax of our series on the world's most searched-for wines, but there's a surprising omission. The tannins are well balanced and the finish is smooth. (2002) Similar colour, but has retained more depth at core. Nevertheless, Chateau Lafite is still one of the most popular wines in the world, and its high price tag is reflective of its quality and prestige. Asia House Christies International Head of Wine Tim Triptree MW explains why its so highly sought after. From Barolo to Bordeaux, these wines are steeped in tradition. The Clockwork Building, 45 Beavor Lane, London W6 9AR, Reg Company No. The remaining vintage years of the 21st century have all otherwise been reasonable quality, although the 2013, 2010 and 2005 stand out above the rest. No. In terms of red Bordeaux, the wines of Pauillac are classic versions characterised with intense blackcurrant flavours and aromas that develop into pencil lead, cedar and cigar box with age. 1982 Bottle (750ml) 1982 Chateau Lafite Rothschild, 750 ml. Although your wine cellar might be valuable, sharing bottles with friends is priceless. Offered in The Treasury: Finest Wines from a Peerless Collection on 29 September 2022 at Christies in London. Lafite was one of five wine-producing chateaus of Bordeaux originally awarded First Growth status in the 1855 Classification. The grapes would have been picked by hand, selected in the vineyard, and brought to the winery for destemming and fermentation in large wooden vats (stainless steel tanks were only installed in 1988). It is important to note that the final blend is almost always close to 90% Cabernet Sauvignon. Baron Eric de Rothschild, the current manager, was already running Lafite in 1982. We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website. The purity of fruit here really pushes through to the finish. Why is lafite so expensive? - Your Quick QnA A bottle of Lafite Rothschild costs around $500. Understanding Price: Behind The World's Most Expensive Wines And Salin had another plan in motion. The 1982 vintage is one of the best wines I have had the privilege to taste when it is on song, with impressive concentration of cassis fruit character with the classic cedar and cigar box aromatics, supremely well balanced and the finish went on and on a truly impressive wine! [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. Finally, the legend of Lafite '82 is shared by those in the community: first a group of Hong Kong tycoons started drinking it, when it was considered a status symbol to drink Lafite, and choosing an '82 Lafite was a reflection of taste; then it became popular among a group of Wenzhou businessmen living in Europe to drink a wine called Lafite, and now it is the businessmen from Zhejiang, in addition to Wenzhou, who are starting to speculate on Lafite '82. 1982 Chateau Lafite Rothschild - Wine-Searcher The estate, which is owned and operated by the family, produces a wide range of wines, including red, white, and ros. Estimated to reach $8,000, it sold for $233,972, making it the most expensive 750ml bottle of wine on the planet. It is deeply impressive. I have been fortunate to taste Lafite on many occasions. Wine has a proven track record of returns and resilience in an unstable market. And Salin had another plan in motion. This particular bottle had the initial Th.J etched into it the markings of enthusiastic oenophile Thomas Jefferson. 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. The designations remain in force today, putting Lafite at the pinnacle of Bordeaux. The 1982 Lafite-Rothschild is a wine I have drunk several times, though maybe this is the first time in magnum. The 1982 vintage was a turning point, after which the quality of Lafite began to become solid. The wines were ranked in importance from first to fifth growths (crus), with four first growths listed initially (Mouton Rothschild was added in 1973). Deep in colour, it has a classic Pauillac nose with intense black fruit mixed with pencil shavings and black truffles. ! The style of wines proved a terrific shot in the arm for claret, especially on the US market. Cult Wines is proudly invested in offsetting carbon emissions through dedicated projects around the world, championing sustainability, supporting ethical practices and actively contributing to the future of the wine industry with impactful initiatives. A look at the Bordeaux vintage that retailers are backing as the best in years. Most often asked questions related to bitcoin! This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. The designations remain in force today, putting Lafite at the pinnacle of Bordeaux. Soon after, it was available in the United States at $300 (now $600). - 94/100, Tom Cannavan, Standard delivery next day There is no doubt that this is one of the best Bordeaux wines ever made. 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. In addition to being one of the first growth wines from Bordeaux, it is one of the most expensive. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Lafite 1982 Leads $820,000 Christie's Online Wine Auction This is not a bad thing, but it is slightly different. It is considered by some to be the best wine to come out of Bordeaux. Because saliva builds up in the mouth all day, it can alter the taste of wine. On this, the first day of the auction, Ritchie had 2,000 bottles of. The bottles had been shipped directly from Lafites own cellars; among them, a bottle of 1869 Lafite, its price estimated at $8,000. There is a deep seam of black plum and liquorice with some nuances of minerals and earth, but this is deep, dense and savoury. The next morning, the price of the 2008 Lafite jumped 20% on the key London markets. Not only was the wine famous, it was also a First Growth chateaux. Chteau Lafite Rothschild has a rich and fascinating history. 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). Chateau Lafite Rothschild is known for its best drinking and should reach its peak maturity between the ages of 15 and 60. Within the five rarefied first growths, Lafite is perhaps the wine with the best reputation for quality and longevity, commanding correspondingly high prices. In Bordeaux, 2016 was a strange year. Sometimes small imperfections add complexity in a wine. Aile dArgent, at less than $100 per bottle, is more affordable, while Le Petite Mouton costs around $100. 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. Merlot has become more prominent in recent vintages, as has a more traditional approach by Salin and Chevalier. 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. Every year, a different artist is commissioned by the winery. Wine-Searcher's historical data and benchmark analysis provides trustworthy and valuable insights into likely market trends. It looks like a hill, and Lafite is located on the slope of a hill. The bottles had been shipped directly from Lafites own cellars; among them, a bottle of 1869 Lafite, its price estimated at $8,000. Secondly, despite its previous reputation, Lafite was not very consistent into the last century, due to Phylloxerra, which swept across the continent, and the effects of the two world wars, and some of the good years were quite mediocre. As a result, the appeal of this Pauillac wine has always been based on Lafite. It was an easy harvest that saw an early and large crop, and in the vat rooms they say, it smelt of hot fruit jam. Our story, setting a new standard for fine wine investment. The winery produces both a white wine, Aile dArgent, and a red wine, Rouge dArgent, in addition to Aile dArgent. It might say Bordeaux in the name, but this isn't some celebration of French wine dominance. The vineyard is one of the largest in the Mdoc at 107 hectares, and produces around 35,000 cases annually, of which between 15,000 and 25,000 are first growth. A bottle of 1869 Lafite had an estimated price of $8,000. An original wood case of Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1982 was the top selling item at Zachys' New York Spring auction this week selling for $41,650. 2023 Union Press Ltd | Wigglesworth House, Fourth Floor, 69 Southwark Bridge Road, London, SE1 9HH, UK Tel: +44 (0)20 7803 2420 1982 Lafite-Rothschild, Pauillac (1.5L) - SKU 998155 - K&L Wines Let us guide you through the process behind investing in fine wine. We've finally reached the summit of our search for the world's most popular wines. Well, youd hardly keep it under the stairs, would you? Estimate: 3,000-4,000. Such criticisms have largely proved unfounded, and the top 1982s are still going strong, establishing the vintage as the most celebrated of the last 50 years. The Drop is an online magazine that connects people to wines theyll love. So, now you know why the '82 Lafite is so expensive, right? [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. When we discussed the 08, I said, Why dont we do that? Salin recalls. Chateau Lafite Rothschild, 1869 163,000. More importantly, it was one of only four Bordeaux wineries given the top First Growth rating when the regions wine merchants drew up a. . It was going to be a tough day, and neither Ritchie or Salin, the CEO of DBR Lafite, the company behind Lafite, were certain the wines would attract anything like the prices they were hoping for. Users have rated this wine 4.5 out of 5 stars. Little did he know that the "82 Bordeaux would be released to the public as being slow to ripen and full of potential. Years of use usually result in bottles costing several hundred dollars, and prices rise as they become scarcer. Wine Lists. The Lucky Country has had a rough few years, but change is in the air. But what happened that night wasnt just a coup for Lafite. It was a vintage that many experts at the time were down on: a vintage that was seen as fruity, seductive, over-ripe and youthful before it was even bottled, but without enough tannins to support it and make it difficult for it to develop in the bottle, lacking the makings of a great wine. More importantly, Chinese consumption caused Bordeaux prices to rise so high, that it priced many of its traditional British and American fans out of the market. The vintage 1869 bottles -- sold in a single lot -- went for multiples more than expected . You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings. Christian Seely, Bordeauxs director of estates, oversees a portfolio that includes the estates of Pichon-Longueville-Baron, Pibran, Petit-Village, and Suduiraut. DBR Lafite was not the first major French company to invest in Chinese terroir, but its presence was an important vote of confidence in Chinas future as a wine producing country. Critics have scored this wine 95 points. It is considered by some to be the best wine to come out of Bordeaux. How Chteau Lafite Changed the World of Wine - Pix This Supreme Court Case Could Redefine Crime, YellowstoneBackers Wanted to Cash OutThen the Streaming Bubble Burst, How Countries Leading on Early Years of Child Care Get It Right, Female Execs Are Exhausted, Frustrated and Heading for the Exits, More Iranian Schoolgirls Sickened in Suspected Poisoning Wave, No Major Offer Expected on Childcare in UK Budget, Oil Investors Get $128 Billion Handout as Doubts Grow About Fossil Fuels, Climate Change Is Launching a MutantSeed Space Race, This Former Factory Is Now New Taipeis Edgiest Project, What Do You Want to See in a Covid Memorial? Unfinished and not yet bottled. 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. Yes, take me to the Asia edition Chteau Lafite Rothschild - Wikipedia Composition: 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, Release price: 170 francs per bottle (around 17), which rose on the export market to 225Fr (22.50), Price today: between 47,000 and 54,000 per case (3,915 to 4,500 a bottle) and rising. In some cases, it will be different depending on the vintage character. Its vines are around 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot, whereas the final wine is between 80% and 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% and 20% Merlot, and up to 3% Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The night had turned into a bidding frenzy, with price after price shattered. A good Bordeaux from a good year can age for decades because the tannins in the wine act as a natural preservative. 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. The wines are then released to wholesalers, who get it at a lower price than everybody else. In 2001 he wrote: So much on show, so much left to show., Clive Coates MW writing a year later, thought the wine fresh, classy and intense, adding: It will get even better as it gets more decadent.. [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. Because his zodiac sign was Aries, Baron Philippe de Rothschild depicted two rams in his coat of arms. Winemaking practices have changed little at Lafite. It is considered by some to be the best wine to come out of Bordeaux. There are two seriously beautiful vintages on our hands, and theyre both fantastic. Chteau Lafite in Bordeaux. Why is Lafite so expensive? - AnswersAll 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. Just as the 1990 Cheval Blanc is outrageously expensive, driven by Middle Eastern oil tycoons (NB: the current price is 7,032, higher than the '82), so is the price of Romane-Conti in Burgundy, France, at the very top of the pyramid, not only because of the tiny production of around 3,600-6,000 bottles (NB: Lafite's production is around 200,000 bottles) but also, it is said, because in the 1980s speculation by the Japanese when their economy took off. 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. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc & Petit Verdot. The 1982 vintage was a turning point, after which the quality of Lafite began to become solid. Talk about opening with a bang! [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. According to the 1855 Classification of the Bordeaux Grands Crus Class prepared for the Universal Exhibition in Paris, Lafite was officially ranked first. These wines, on the other hand, have a vibrant acidity and a firm tannic structure, allowing them to age gracefully. Since then, Parker's reputation has grown, his following has grown, and his influence has grown. In fact, at the beginning, 82 Lafite was a line of a movie, and then gradually evolved into an expression bag. Why is Lafite so expensive? - KnowledgeBurrow.com The fight between Chteau Mouton Rothschild and Bordeaux was one of the most significant in modern history. Nov 22, 2010. He knew the number eight is considered extremely lucky in Chinese culture, so hed arranged to have the Chinese symbol for the 8 in 2008 , discreetly engraved in the lucky color red, just above the label. 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. The best wines, which Lafite is unquestionably in that category also have a freshness and vibrancy to balance the matured bouquet. The consumer price index jumped 6.8% from a year earlier, the fastest pace since 1982, as prices surged for staples such as food and gasoline, new and used cars, rent and physicians' services . It was not until 1983 that Charles Chevallier became Lafites deputy technical director; he later became technical manager of not only Lafite but the other properties - Rieussec, Duhart-Milon and Evangile that form part of the group. The vintages are well-known and highly regarded by wine experts. Lafite wine is among the most expensive wines in the world. drinkable). As our search for the world's most popular wines nears its end, we visit one of the great regions. The Krug 1928 set a new record in 2009 at Acker Merrall & Condits first ever Hong Kong sale. TOP 10 why is 1982 lafite so expensive BEST and NEWEST In contrast, due to Chinas average annual salary of just over $11,000, paying such a high price for a bottle of wine may be out of reach for some consumers. Direct from the producer, in-stock and available for sale at the price shown. Chateau Margaux creeps into the top 10 again with its limited edition 12-litre 2009 vintage. Offered in The Treasury: Finest Wines from a Peerless Collection on 29 September 2022 at Christies in London. The price of other Bordeaux wines rose as well. Back in 2010 an Asian buyer made wine history when they purchased three bottles of Chateau Lafite-Rothschild for US$232,692 (163,000) per bottle. Although it eventually cooled after reaching about 80 million cases of wine in 2017, China had in a few short years asserted itself as a wine-buying nation equal to anywhere in Europe or the Americas. 1982 Chateau Lafite Rothschild - Wine-Searcher Michael Broadbent rated it highly from the outset, and his subsequent notes remarked on its fragrance and slow evolution. The chteaux take these reactions into account when they come up with the wines release price. The wineries of SLO Wine Country boast an average distance of just five miles from the Pacific Ocean, resulting in prevailing marine conditions that are among the most pronounced of any wine region in California. {"api":{"host":"https:\/\/pinot.decanter.com","authorization":"Bearer OWFmMzIzM2EwYWNjNWE2ZTlmOTI3YjBhMDRmYzIzYzI0NGEyMTQ3YmFjYWY4Y2EzOWI3MDg5MTU4NmQyMDNiNA","version":"2.0"},"piano":{"sandbox":"false","aid":"6qv8OniKQO","rid":"RJXC8OC","offerId":"OFPHMJWYB8UK","offerTemplateId":"OFPHMJWYB8UK","wcTemplateId":"OTOW5EUWVZ4B"}}, {"location":"Keystone Header","subscribeText":"Subscribe Now","version":"2","menuWidgetTitle":"","myAccountLnk":"\/wine-reviews\/account","premiumLnk":"\/subscribe","menuLnks":{"2":{"text":"My Wines","href":"\/wine-reviews\/my-wines"}},"colors":{"text":"#ffffff","button":"#decc8f","link":"#ffffff"}}, Bordeaux agrees funding to pull up vineyards, Grapevines first domesticated 11,000 years ago, says study, Chile wildfires: damage to wine country as officials pledge help, September releases 2022: full score table, Subscribe to Decanter and get the latest wine legends every month. Chateau Margaux creeps into the top 10 again with its limited edition 12-litre 2009 vintage. Should go on for decades." However, it should be difficult for you to buy a real bottle of 82 Lafite nowadays, as it is relatively rare and some wine merchants and collectors do not offer it easily, so we can only look at it from afar but not play with it. Looking at the wine retail shelves raises one question: where's the Bordeaux? This moniker has stood the test of time, with modern-day Lafite still commanding more demand and attention globally than it's first growth counterparts. Case of 1982 Lafite tops auction at $42k 12 May 2014 By Lauren Eads An original wood case of Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1982 was the top selling item at Zachys' New York Spring auction this.