There are few moments as special in a wine collector’s life as finally holding that prized, rare vintage you’ve been seeking for years. The thrill is as much in the hunt as the victory. There’s an almost taboo pleasure in taking that first sip of a precious bottle, knowing you’re one of a select few who will ever get to experience it.
Only the rarest wines in the world have this special power. In this guide, you’ll learn which wines fall under this elite category and how you can get your hands on a bottle of your own.
The Ten Rarest Wines in the World
Rarity is about more than just how many bottles of a particular wine are released. It’s also about how in-demand those wines are among your fellow collectors. A truly rare wine is one that’s made in exceptionally low quantities but that also consistently gets high scores from critics and sells out quickly on release.
Below are ten wine producers known for making some of the rarest wines in the world.
- Domaine de la Romanée-Conti
- Château Lafite-Rothschild
- Château Le Pin
- Château Margaux
- Château Haut-Brion
- Château Mouton-Rothschild
- Château Pétrus
- Scarecrow
- Screaming Eagle
- Harlan Estate
If rarity is your priority as a collector, any of these wines would make a perfect addition to your cellar, and here are just a few reasons why:
- Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Burgundy, France)
Perhaps Burgundy’s most famous estate, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti harvests its grapes from a single vineyard less than five acres in size. Annual production is just 6,000-8,000 cases per year, making these wines some of the rarest in all of France. Top vintages from this estate have also sold at auction for hundreds of thousands of dollars–and one even sold for half a million dollars.
- Château Lafite-Rothschild (Bordeaux, France)
Once known as “the King’s Wine,” Château Lafite-Rothschild’s world-renowned First Growth Bordeaux wine is exceptional, both in terms of quality and significance. Although it’s one of the largest Medoc estates, releasing 15,000 to 20,000 cases per year, this château has produced some of the most precious vintages in the world. Among these is the 1869 Chateau Lafite Rothschild, a vintage that has repeatedly fetched hundreds of thousands of dollars on the secondary market.
| Top-Rated Recent Vintages |
| 2017 Château Lafite-Rothschild |
| 2010 Château Lafite-Rothschild |
| 2015 Château Lafite-Rothschild |
| 2004 Château Lafite-Rothschild |
| 2009 Château Lafite-Rothschild |
- Château Le Pin (Bordeaux, France)
Château Le Pin released its first bottle of wine relatively recently, in 1979. However, this Pomerol estate has quickly become one of the most sought-after in the world due to the exceptional quality of its wines. The grapes are planted on just 2.7 hectares, and the producer makes only 400 to 600 cases per year. This rarity, coupled with perfect scores from many critics, has cemented Le Pin among Bordeaux’s most legendary.
| Top-Rated Recent Vintages |
| 2017 Château Le Pin |
| 2016 Château Le Pin |
| 2015 Château Le Pin |
| 2000 Château Le Pin |
- Château Margaux (Bordeaux, France)
This First Growth winery epitomizes the concept of “quality over quantity.” Taking a hint from a few of the world’s top Champagne producers, lead winemaker Pierre Ginestet set the precedent in 1965 that the château’s flagship grand vin wine would only be bottled at peak quality. Around 12,000 cases are produced each year, and some of the rarest vintages have sold for hundreds of thousands of dollars at auction.
| Top-Rated Recent Vintages |
| 2007 Château Margaux |
| 2016 Château Margaux |
| 2009 Château Margaux (Ex-Château) |
| 2017 Château Margaux |
| 2014 Château Margaux |
- Château Haut-Brion (Bordeaux, France)
Among the first wineries to be established in the region, Château Haut-Brion was recognized as a “cru” as early as 1521. It was also the first-recorded First Growth to make its way to the United States thanks to a purchase by President Thomas Jefferson in 1787. Château Haut-Brion produces just 11,000 cases of its grand vin wine annually—the lowest output of all the First Growths.
| Top-Rated Recent Vintages |
| 2018 Château Haut-Brion |
| 2000 Château Haut-Brion |
| 2015 Château Haut-Brion |
| 2020 Château Haut-Brion Blanc |
| 2013 Château Haut-Brion |
- Château Mouton-Rothschild (Bordeaux, France)
Though Château Mouton-Rothschild may not have been named the fifth and final First Growth until more than a century after the original 1855 classification, it is not for lack of quality or artistry. The château’s unique bottles (with each label designed by a famous contemporary artist) make their wines especially special and collectible. The 1945 vintage is a particular favorite for its historical significance, bottled just after the conclusion of World War II. About 20,000 cases of the grand vin are produced annually.
| Top-Rated Recent Vintages |
| 2015 Château Mouton-Rothschild |
| 2014 Château Mouton-Rothschild |
| 2005 Château Mouton-Rothschild |
| 2017 Château Mouton-Rothschild |
| 2009 Château Mouton-Rothschild |
- Château Pétrus (Bordeaux, France)
Château Pétrus is as celebrated for its quality as it is coveted for its rarity. Only 2,500 bottles are produced each year, harvested from an equally tiny vineyard of just 11.42 hectares (compared to the typical size of 50 to 100 hectares). Moreover, unlike many other Bordeaux wineries, Château Pétrus does not make second or third wines. The flagship label is the only one available, and it’s highly sought-after.
| Top-Rated Recent Vintages |
| 2017 Château Pétrus |
| 2006 Château Pétrus |
| 2014 Château Pétrus |
| 2008 Château Pétrus |
| 2001 Château Pétrus |
- Scarecrow (Napa Valley, California)
Scarecrow is one of the most prominent “cult” California wines on the market today. These wines are known for being made in extremely low quantities with special attention paid to the quality of the fruit. Even among other cult California wines, Scarecrow is especially rare. The estate produces just 400 to 800 cases every year, and it can be difficult to find these vintages outside of the secondary market.
| Top-Rated Recent Vintages |
| 2015 Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon |
| 2006 Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon |
| 2019 Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon |
| 2018 Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon |
| 2009 Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon |
- Screaming Eagle (Napa Valley, California)
Perhaps the most famous of the Napa Cabernet cult wines, Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon owes its reputation as one of the most expensive wines of all time due in no small part to its rarity. No more than 800 cases are produced in any given year, and the wine is initially purchasable only through specialized mailing order lists, which often take several years to join. The 1992 vintage, in particular, has gained legendary status due both to its low production (just 225 cases were released) and high ratings.
| Top-Rated Recent Vintages |
| 2014 Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon |
| 2018 Screaming Eagle The Flight |
| 2014 Screaming Eagle Second Flight |
| 2007 Screaming Eagle Second Flight |
- Harlan Estate (Napa Valley, California)
Compared to other cult wines like those from Screaming Eagle, Harlan Estate’s annual production count is slightly higher, at around 1,800 cases a year. But it is also highly sought-after and difficult to obtain. Both its flagship wine and second wine, The Maiden, have received high critical acclaim over the years, earning Harlan Estate a reputation as the California equivalent of a First Growth.
| Top-Rated Recent Vintages |
| 2012 Harlan Estate |
| 2014 Harlan Estate |
| 2011 Harlan Estate |
| 2009 Harlan Estate |
| 2014 Harlan Estate The Maiden |
Although these are among the rarest wines in the world, they aren’t the only bottles worth buying. If you’re committed to starting a collection of rare vintages, it’s important to know what qualities to look for in a sought-after wine.
What Makes a Wine Rare?
To paraphrase the scarcity principle: the less there is of something, the more people want it, and the more expensive it will be. As such, the rarest wines in the world will almost always rise to a higher market value than those that are easier to obtain.
So what makes one wine scarcer than another? A wine may become rare if:
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- The harvest yield is low due, for example, to bad weather during the growing season.
- Annual production is kept to a minimum. Many top producers choose to do this for better quality control.
- The wine has an extraordinary history, such as being owned by a famed collector.
- The quality is exceptional. Vintages that receive perfect scores are usually in such high demand that collectors quickly buy up any bottles that make it to market.
- The wine is age-worthy. The longer a desirable wine has been on the market, the fewer bottles will likely be left for purchase. Moreover, a quality wine will always appreciate in value and complexity of flavor. It’s no coincidence that many of the rarest and most expensive wines in the world are also some of the longest-lived.
Now that you know what to look for in a rare wine, it’s important to know where to find the rarest wines in the world that are in ideal condition.
How To Buy Rare Wines
First, ensure your wine is authentic. Rare and cult wines are particular targets for fraud due to their high value on the secondary market, so it’s essential to purchase your wines from reputable sources. A vendor that offers an intensive inspection process to confirm wine quality ,as well as authenticity, is ideal.
When possible, buying ex-château or en primeur wines cuts out the “middle man” of a distributor and limits the opportunity for mishaps en route from the producer’s cellar to yours. However, if this is not an option, consider shipping under bond to protect your wine from potential damage while on the road. And, if your wine is not ready to be opened right away, take advantage of professional storage services to ensure your wine will age perfectly, regardless of whether it needs a few years or a few decades to reach its peak.
Investing in the rarest wines in the world can be immensely rewarding. Tasting a once-in-a-lifetime vintage is a transformative experience for those who are passionate about wine and is well worth the pursuit.
Whether you’re wondering if you can make money selling wine or are starting your high-end wine collection, Vinfolio is your partner in buying, selling, and professional storage. Contact us today for more information and to get access to the world’s finest wine.
