Most Expensive Wines

Top 10: Most Expensive Wines













By







Matthew Simpson






Entertainment Correspondent - Every 2nd Wednesday











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There's more to wine than two-dollar Night Train. In the mid-'80s,
billionaire Malcolm Forbes paid approximately $155,000 at auction for a
bottle of wine. The bottle, which was believed to have come from Thomas
Jefferson's own collection and dated back to 1787, was then put on
display under strong lights and at the wrong angle. These conditions
eventually made the cork fall into the bottle, and the wine lost its
value and was thrown away.
Yes, it's true that you don't have to pay a fortune for a bottle of
wine, but keep in mind that you usually get what you pay for. If you
really want to impress that special lady, show her your cellar of fine
wines -- or at least display your knowledge of them. Read on to
discover the ten most expensive wines available on the market. Note
that all prices are in US dollars and were evaluated on the basis of a
750 ml bottle from a retailer.







Chteau Lafite Rothschild Pauillac 1996 - app. $287

Talk about being at the right place at the right time. In the mid-18th
century, a French politician was about to be shipped off overseas, but
not before visiting a physician. The doctor prescribed him some Lafite
wine as a tonic. This politician enjoyed it so much that he offered
some bottles to King Louis XV, and before long this wine became the
star of Versailles and was dubbed "the King's wine." Remarkably dark,
it sports mineral aromas of mint and black currant. Flavorful, its
texture is silky and lingers in the mouth.





Chteau Margaux 1995 - app. $402

Its color is almost black, yet it couldn't taste farther from ink.
Containing passionate fragrances of blackberry and cassis, this smooth
and racy vintage is powerful but still manages to be compact in its
fruit structure. This vineyard goes back a thousand years and it has
definitely mastered the art. The 1995 vintage recalls the 1986 for its
complexity but it's also a good reminder of the 1990 for its elegance.
The 1994 version is also quite expensive.





Chteau Haut Brion Pessac-Lognan 1982 - app. $528

What distinguishes Haut Brion is the fact that it produced the oldest
Bordeaux in the world. Founded in 1550, Jean de Pontac built everything
from the ground up for the sole purpose of winemaking. Soon after, he
opened a tavern in London to serve his wine exclusively. It was an
undeniable success. This red 1982 vintage is still youthful and quite
spectacular, holding its own against the best wines in the world. It
has matured well with time but isn't expected to improve in years to
come. So drink it soon!





Chteau Mouton Rothschild Pauillac 1986 - app. $592

Remember the Lafite Rothschild? The Chteau Mouton originated from the
English branch of the same family in the mid-19th century. They were
the first to launch special labels designed by famous artists such as
Chagall, Picasso and Warhol after World War II. Selected as one of the
top ten wines of 1986 by Wine Spectator magazine, this Chteau Mouton
will recall memories of chocolate, raspberries and spices. This
palatable vintage leaves an incredibly elongated aftertaste.







Chteau La Mondotte Saint-Emilion 1996 - app. $608

La Mondotte was purchased by the Neipperg family at the same time that
they bought Chteau Canon-La-Gaffelire and Clos de l'Oratoire.
Therefore, this tiny vineyard of little more than 11 acres was
condemned to play second fiddle for a number of years. But in 1996, La
Mondotte reached maturity and exploded on the wine scene. Fairly fruity
and exotic, this vintage is lavish and has a lengthy finish. It is
often compared to Le Pin.

Top 10: Most Expensive Wines













By







Matthew Simpson






Entertainment Correspondent - Every 2nd Wednesday











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Chteau Valandraud Saint-Emilion 1995 - app. $668

This vineyard is one of the most important of the garage wines.
Basically, it is to wine what microbreweries are to beer. Like La
Mondotte, it occupies a small patch of land and its owners pour their
artistic hearts into it. Valandraud comprises approximately 10 small
parcels of land totaling 35 acres. This wine has been made with care
and is quite rare, hence the price. Firm tannins define its rich and
spicy structure; it is bolder than later vintages.





Chteau Latour Pauillac 1990 - app. $774

Chteau Latour is one of the most reliable vineyards in France and
produces one of the best three Pauillac on the market. This reliable
wine draws its power from the rich soil on which the grapes grow. Among
the raciest wines of the Mdoc region, Wine Spectator selected it as the
single best wine of 1993, bestowing on it a perfect score. An
everlasting finale is the masterstroke of this vintage, which favors
caramel, chocolate, licorice, dark cherry, and roasted fruits. The
mouth is opulent and wholly composed. The 1994 vintage is also highly
sought after.







Chteau Le Pin Pomerol 1999 - app. $908

The Thienpont family's Chteau Le Pin venture is another garage wine. In
an average year, they produce about 6,000 bottles of this fine Pomerol
on five acres of land. It is truly one of the most illustrious wines to
come out of Bordeaux. Its fullness comes from the downy levels of
mocha, black cherry and currant flavors. It's a favorite of serious
wine collectors.





Petrus Pomerol 1998 - app. $1,459

This Merlot was one of the favorite wines at the White House during the
Kennedy years. The official name is Chteau Petrus but even its label
refers to it as simply "Petrus." The grapes are usually harvested early
and left to mature slowly. Extremely fruity, suggestions of berries,
vanilla, mocha, and oak emanate from its rich purple robe. The finish
is something to wait for as it caresses the palate. A truly exquisite
vintage, it should reach maturity after the year 2012.





Dom. Romane Conti 1997 - app. $1,540

This French red Burgundy smells of berries, spices and leather. Dark in
color, it hints at flavors of soy sauce, flowers and licorice. The
aroma is rich and penetrating without being too profound. The Romane
Conti is a rare wine that has carved a niche for itself along the
years. At over fifteen hundred dollars a bottle, it no longer has
anything to prove. Consistently, the Romane Conti fetches prices around
the thousand dollar mark no matter the vintage.




You should take note that the wine market has many intermediaries that
have a direct effect on prices. Importers, wholesalers and retailers
are all out to make a profit, so prices may vary depending on the level
at which you get involved. Also, auctions often get out of hand and may
entail heavier prices.



Resources:


www.specsonline.com


www.winespectator.com