Domaine de la Romanee-Conti, Romanee-Conti 1945 – US$558,000
Domaine de la Romanee Conti, Burgundy’s strongest fine wine brand, has set numerous world records at auctions. A bottle (1x75cl) Domaine de la Romanee Conti 1945 that was sold at auction in October 2018 at US$558,000 (PS424,000) is the current world’s most expensive wine. The same auction sold a second bottle for US$496,000 (PS377,000)
The production of this fine wine is extremely low at an average rate of 6,000 cases per year across the DRC estate. This has allowed global demand to drive up prices and make DRC Burgundy’s most valuable brand.
Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon 1992 – US$500,000
In 2000, a 6-litre bottle of Screaming Eagle 1992 was purchased at Napa Valley’s auction for US$500,000. Screaming Eagle is one of the most famous Cult Californian wines. There is a waiting list for each new vintage, so it is still some of the most costly alcohol on the planet.
Chateau Cheval Blanc 1947 – PS192,000 (6-litre bottle)
Chateau Cheval Blanc, one of the two original St Emilion Grand Cru Classe A Estates, is owned by brand goliath LVMH, which also owns Chateau d’Yquem, the leading Sauternes estate. It was the most expensive Bordeaux fine wine ever recorded, selling for PS168,000 in 2017 (12 x 75cl)
Chateau Lafite-Rothschild 1869 – PS163,000
Liv-ex rates Lafite-Rothschild as the strongest fine wine brand worldwide in volume and average price for Chateau’s wines traded on the exchange. New consumers from China drove the increase in Bordeaux wine demand in 2009-2010. They mainly focused on Bordeaux First Growths and Chateau Lafite–Rothschild.
Champagne, Heidsieck 1907 – PS189,750
A consignment of Heidsieck 1906, which was rescued from a torpedoed ship in WW1, was one of the most valuable Champagne sales. It was sold at auction for PS189,750.
An online publication listed the top ten most expensive champagnes of 2019, and five bottles were in the top 5. The 18-carat gold label with a 19-carat diamond and an 18-carat gold embellished label raised the overall value to US$2.07M from US$299 for the standard bottle. Jay Z, the most well-known rapper globally, ranked wines made by Armand de Brignac. A 30-litre (30 bottles) of 2013 Rose was sold for US$275,000, while a 15-litre 2011 rose was purchased for US$90,000.
Dom Perignon Rose 1996 (30 litre Midas) was the Champagne most widely recognized for investment purposes. These were only 35 examples, and if you are lucky enough to own one, you can expect to pay over US$49,000.
These wines set records and attract international media attention. You don’t need to spend six- or five-figure sums to reap the benefits of wine investing. A portfolio can be built with just a case of Chateau Lafite Rothschild Bordeaux for around PS3,000.
Fine wine investments are a stable and tangible asset that can provide long-term growth. Fine wine can be more profitable than equities or gold and offer high returns. However, Capital Gains Tax is not usually applicable to fine wines. This depends on your circumstances.