When we discussed the 08, I said, Why dont we do that? Salin recalls. Winemakers have discovered that vines which yield a smaller amount of fruit make better wines because there is a greater concentration of flavor in the grapes. The designations remain in force today, putting Lafite at the pinnacle of Bordeaux. The chteaux take these reactions into account when they come up with the wines release price. Returns are calculated in GBP and results may vary depending on exchange rates. In 1994, Bordeaux was experiencing a sluggish sales period, so chteaux were raiding cellar reserves and selling previous vintages cheaply. The debonair Baron Eric is serious about his wines. ). drinkable). Christies International Head of Wine Tim Triptree MW explains why its so highly sought after. Estimate: 3,000-4,000. At the time the sale set a record for the most expensive bottle of wine ever sold at auction, clocking up a whopping $29,000 per glass! The bottle of 1869 with an estimated price of $8,000? We've finally reached the summit of our search for the world's most popular wines. The wines were ranked in importance from first to fifth growths (crus), with four first growths listed initially (Mouton Rothschild was added in 1973). drinkable). Because saliva builds up in the mouth all day, it can alter the taste of wine. First, the wine is produced in very limited quantities. The perception that nothing much changes in Bordeaux has been shaken by the surprise decision of two top producers. It is considered by some to be the best wine to come out of Bordeaux. The Clockwork Building, 45 Beavor Lane, London W6 9AR, Reg Company No. The Chardonnay at Chteau Lafite Rothschild is always more Merlot than the grand vin. 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. In 1868 the Chteau was purchased by Baron James Mayer Rothschild for 4.4 million francs, and the estate became Chteau Lafite Rothschild. World Class Wine. Bu 1 en 2022 avec J.S.Philippe, un monstre en devenir (99+) ! Perhaps spurred on by the enthusiasm of the proprietors, the press and trade mostly reacted very positively, and 1982 was soon regarded as a blue-chip vintage, confirmed by steadily rising prices for the top wines. Today, Lafites 112-hectare vineyard consists of three main areas: the slopes around the Chteau, the adjacent Carruades plateau to the west and a 4.5 hectare plot in the neighbouring commune of Saint Estphe, which historically has been allowed into Lafite and thus the Pauillac appellation. Chateau Lafite-Rothschild, 1787 109,300. 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). In addition to being one of the first growth wines from Bordeaux, it is one of the most expensive. Sold in 2011 at a Christies sale in New York, this Petrus vintage was expected to sell for between US$50,000 and $90,000, but the hammer went down on a considerably higher sum of $144,000 (100,800), setting a record for the most expensive Petrus ever sold at auction. 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. Because his zodiac sign was Aries, Baron Philippe de Rothschild depicted two rams in his coat of arms. More shipping infoShipping info. Subscribe to our magazine to stay in the know. There are a few factors that contribute to the high cost of Lafite wine. It has a fruity taste with a hint of oak. Serious collectors dont deal in small fry, but are their chequebooks up to the cash demands of the most expensive wines in the world? 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. [6], Following the French Revolution, the period known as Reign of Terror led to the execution of Nicolas Pierre de Pichard on 30 June 1794, bringing an end to the Sgur family's ownership of the estate which became public property. A look at the Bordeaux vintage that retailers are backing as the best in years. 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. 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. During the ageing period, the wine would have been regularly racked and then fined before bottling. Although it eventually cooled after reaching. There have been many notable events at the estate over the last century. The palate is wonderfully concentrated and sonorous; it seems to extend in a column of dense black fruit. Of course, the influence of cinema is also huge, with a Hong Kong-made film contributing to this legendary story set in China. The 2011 in particular has immense aging potential. The wine has a long history dating back to the 18th century, and the name Lafite is synonymous with quality and luxury. Years of use usually result in bottles costing several hundred dollars, and prices rise as they become scarcer. The significant role played by bitcoin for businesses! Chteau Lafite-Rothschild 1986. Wine-Searcher's historical data and benchmark analysis provides trustworthy and valuable insights into likely market trends. It's not just an asset, it's an experience. And Salin had another plan in motion. It is important to note that the final blend is almost always close to 90% Cabernet Sauvignon. The fight between Chteau Mouton Rothschild and Bordeaux was one of the most significant in modern history. The harvest began early, on 16 September. 06350591 | VAT No. Three bottles of Chteau Lafite-Rothschild 1869 sold for HK$1.8 million each. 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. The Krug 1928 set a new record in 2009 at Acker Merrall & Condits first ever Hong Kong sale. Estimated to reach $8,000, it sold for $233,972, making it the most expensive 750ml bottle of wine on the planet. When Salin joined Lafite as its new director in 1985, he intended to use Lafites reputation to full advantage. The estate then became the joint property of his three sons: Alphonse, Gustave and Edmond Rothschild. Price. The night had turned into a bidding frenzy, with price after price shattered. Flat Rate $9.99 Ground Shipping in CA Ship to the whole of the USA. The estate, which is owned and operated by the family, produces a wide range of wines, including red, white, and ros. Fourth, Lafite is one of the most prestigious wine producers in the world. To stimulate interest, Salin had pulled out all the stops. A bottle of Lafite can cost upwards of $500, making it one of the most expensive wines on the market. in 2017, China had in a few short years asserted itself as a wine-buying nation equal to anywhere in Europe or the Americas. Some of the world's most famous wines. 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. 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. From an investment point of view, the price of a wine is also at its peak when it enters the world's top restaurants for people to enjoy. Lafite wine is among the most expensive wines in the world. He claims that the 10s brought a new energy to structure. Unfinished and not yet bottled. Wine Legend: Chteau Lafite-Rothschild 1982, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France Bottles produced: No record Composition: 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc Yield: 40 hectolitres per hectare Alcohol level: 12.5% Release price: 170 francs per bottle (around 17), which rose on the export market to 225Fr (22.50) Within the five rarefied first growths, Lafite is perhaps the wine with the best reputation for quality and longevity, commanding correspondingly high prices. The wines were ranked in importance from first to fifth growths (crus), with four first growths listed initially (Mouton Rothschild was added in 1973). The 1982 Lafite-Rothschild is a wine I have drunk several times, though maybe this is the first time in magnum. 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. But what happened that night wasnt just a coup for Lafite. - London - United Kingdom, Jacob K Javits Convention Center Salin had also created a special label for the 2008 vintage. Aile dArgent, at less than $100 per bottle, is more affordable, while Le Petite Mouton costs around $100. And it was our thank you to China for helping us through the years.. The wine producers were classified according to a chteau's reputation and trading price, which, at that time, was directly related to quality. Chateau Lafite tastes like a fine wine should taste. 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. 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. We reach the climax of our series on the world's most searched-for wines, but there's a surprising omission. He enjoys participating in the final blending, though is willing to be overruled by his team of professionals. More shipping info. Nov 22, 2010. Christoph Salin. 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. Because of the magic of Bordeaux, it takes a while to develop the complex secondary and tertiary characteristics of cedar, leather, and tobacco.