Cult wines are rare and expensive. They bring a twinkle to the eyes connoisseurs. Enjoy our list of 10 wines you have to try if money is no obstacle.
- Chateau Lafite-Rothschild, Bordeaux, France
Probably the most famous chateau in the world. The famous banking family of France has owned this vineyard since 1868. Considered the epitome of Bordeaux wine culture, prices per bottle start at $550. - Romanée-Conti, Burgundy, France
One of the most expensive cult wines. The Grand Cru estate, owned by the Domaine de la Romaneé-Conti, is less than 4.5 acres. An average vintage yields around 5000 bottles. Expect to pay, on average, around $12,000 for this very coveted wine. - Montrachet Domaine Leflaive, Burgundy, France
The vines of Le Montrachet yield the finest white wines in the world. Managed by a select group of renowned vintners, the Grand Cru vineyard measures 20 acres. The most coveted bottles come from superstars like Domaine Leflaive, which owns less than 0.25 acres of Le Montrachet. Expect a bottle to set you back around $5,600. - Krug Clos d’Ambonnay, Champagne, France
A place of pilgrimage for Champagne lovers, House Krug was founded in 1843. Two extremely rare vineyard estate Champagnes are made here, Clos du Mesnil and Clos d’Ambonnay. The latter comes from a vineyard less than 1.7 acres in size. Considered the most expensive champagne in existence, it has been produced in 2000, 1998, 1996 and 1995. From $1,900. - Pingus, Ribeira del Duero, Spain
Danish oenologist Peter Sisseck established Dominio de Pingus in Ribera del Duero, Spain in 1995. Influential wine critic Robert Parker called the very first vintage ‘one of the greatest and most exciting wines I have ever tasted.’ The prices went through the roof. The vineyard estate is less than 12.5 acres. The cult wine Pingus is considered the rarest and most expensive wine of Spain. You may be able to find a bottle for around $500. Expect to pay $8o0 and up. - Scharzhofberger Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese Egon Müller, Saar, Germany
Egon Müller is Germany’s ultimate cult vintner. International collectors and connoisseurs know his Rieslings are worth every penny. Scharzhofberg wines are among the most coveted and best in the world. Only a few dozen bottles of Trockenbeerenauslese are made and sold exclusively at auctions. A recent vintage comes with a $6,000 price tag. - Penfolds Grange Bin 95, South Australia
Penfolds Grange is the Australian cult wine 2nd to none. Considered the first true “Premier Cru” of the Southern hemisphere, it was designated a heritage icon by the National Trust of South Australia on its 50th anniversary in 2001. From $550. - Barolo Riserva Monfortino Giacomo Conterno, Piemont, Italy
Many experts say the Monfortino is Italy’s greatest red wine. This exceptional Barolo is only made in certain years, then ripened in a cask for 7 years before it is bottled. It’s storage-ability is legendary. Yours from around $600. - Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, USA
California’s contribution to our list of cult wines hails Oakville. The 1992 vintage received an impressive score of 99 from Robert Parker. For 1997, 2007, 2010 and 2012, Screaming Eagle scored a perfect 100. The stellar quality and very limited production run of 5000 to 8000 bottles per vintage make Screaming Eagle the most expensive US wine.
From $2,700. - 4G L’Aube De La Vigne, South Africa
Winemaker legend Giogio Dalla Cia and “Pope of Wine” Denis Dubourdieu, who tragically passed away in July 2016, are behind this relatively recent project. Their objective? Make the best and most expensive red wine in South Africa’s 350 year history of wine-making. Only 3000-4000 bottles of this rising star among cult wines are made per vintage. It found international recognition when it left several perfect 100 score superstar Bordeaux in its dust at a blind tasting event.
Own a bottle from around $400.
Did you enjoy finding out more about cult wines? Liebherr recommends the WS 17800 as the perfect wine storage solution for your most coveted wines! Holding a total of 178 Bordeaux size bottles in three separate temperature zones, it is perfect for collectors and aficionados alike.
