Which bottle of Bordeaux wine holds the highest auction record?

Hey, that's a pretty interesting question! I've collected some wines myself and know a bit about the auction market. Bordeaux wines consistently fetch high prices at auction due to their long history, exceptional quality, and legendary status. Simply put, to my knowledge, the current record for a single bottle of Bordeaux wine is the 1869 Château Lafite Rothschild.

Why this bottle?

Auction Details: This bottle sold for approximately $233,000 USD (calculated at the exchange rate then, specifically 1,815,000 HKD) at a Sotheby's Hong Kong auction in 2010. The buyer was an Asian collector, and it caused quite a stir.
Why so expensive? This wine hails from the 19th century and was exceptionally well-preserved. Château Lafite Rothschild is one of Bordeaux's five prestigious First Growth estates. Its taste profile is complex and balanced, featuring notes of chocolate, tobacco, and blackcurrant developed with age. Even cooler, it represents Bordeaux's golden age. Winemaking techniques then weren't as advanced as today, but the grape quality was superb. Combine that with scarcity – there are very few bottles of such old wine left in the world.
Comparison to others: You might have heard of the 1945 Mouton Rothschild or the 1787 Lafite (reportedly from Thomas Jefferson's collection). Those also sold for high prices; for example, the 1787 bottle went for $156,000 in 1985, but adjusted for inflation, it doesn't surpass the 1869 Lafite. The 1945 Margaux is also very expensive, but the single-bottle record still belongs to the 1869 Lafite.

Of course, auction records can be broken anytime, especially with the current hot Asian market. If you're looking to get into something similar, I'd suggest starting with entry-level Bordeaux, like a 1982 vintage. The modern versions of Lafite won't break the bank but are still excellent quality. Remember, collecting wine isn't just about the money; personal preference and storage conditions matter too! Feel free to ask if you have any other questions.