Imagine paying the price of two Alfa Romeos for a single bottle of wine. For most, it sounds extravagant—even absurd. But for serious collectors, the pursuit of rare vintages and the thrill of acquiring an exceptional 750 ml bottle is part of the allure. These wines are not merely beverages; they are history, craftsmanship, and prestige sealed in glass.

Here’s a look at some of the world’s most expensive wines—each with a price tag guaranteed to make jaws drop.

1869 Château Lafite Rothschild — $207,075
The 1869 vintage marks the first wine produced by the Rothschild family at their château in Médoc. Classified as a Premier Grand Cru Classé, this historic Bordeaux blend was bottled in 1953 and again in 1983. In 2010, it set a record as the most expensive single bottle of wine ever sold at auction. The wine is celebrated for its complex aromas of cedar, oak, and leather.

2009 Domaine Leroy Musigny Grand Cru, Côte de Nuits — $96,910
From Burgundy’s famed Côte de Nuits comes Domaine Leroy, renowned for producing exceptional wines from Pinot Noir grown in some of the world’s most iconic vineyards. Alongside its coveted Chambertin Grand Cru wines, the 2009 Musigny Grand Cru stands out for its elegance and depth, offering expressive notes of raspberry, rose, and spice.

1847 Château d’Yquem, Sauternes — $101,986
Château d’Yquem is widely regarded as the producer of the world’s greatest sweet wine. The 1847 vintage is particularly revered, earning 99 points from Wine Spectator and a perfect 100 from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate. This extraordinary Sauternes reveals an opulent nose of ripe raspberries layered with rich vanilla notes.

2001 Domaine d’Auvenay Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru, Côte de Beaune — $42,894
Domaine d’Auvenay, located in France’s Côte de Beaune, rose to prominence in the 1990s under the stewardship of Lalou Bize-Leroy—also a shareholder of Romanée-Conti. The 2001 Chevalier-Montrachet is a remarkable white wine, offering aromas of honey, white flowers, and apricot, supported by a textured palate with delicate fruity undertones.

1959 Egon Müller Scharzhofberger Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese — $41,580
Based in Germany’s Mosel region, Weingut Egon Müller works exclusively with Riesling from the Saar Valley. The 1959 Trockenbeerenauslese is a benchmark sweet wine, prized for its sublime aromas of ripe lemon, mineral notes, stone, and spice—a masterclass in balance and longevity.