The 3 Most Expensive Burgundy Wine 2025
In 2025, Burgundy wines stands as a symbol of luxury, often commanding astounding prices at auction. Renowned for tiny vineyards and exquisite Pinot Noir, the Burgundy region produces some of the world’s priciest and most coveted wines. Below we explore the three most expensive Burgundy wine bottles ever sold, each a legendary fine wine that has reached stratospheric prices. (As noted in our Top 5 Most Expensive French Wine roundup, Burgundy dominates the top of the wine auction market.)
1. Domaine de la Romanée-Conti 1945 – Burgundy Crown Jewel
A Record-Breaking Burgundy Wine at Auction
When it comes to record-breaking luxury wines, the 1945 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (DRC 1945) stands in a league of its own. Domaine de la Romanée-Conti is often considered the pinnacle of Burgundy wine, producing exquisite Pinot Noir from its legendary Romanée-Conti Grand Cru vineyard. This famed monopole vineyard spans only 1.8 hectares, yielding barely 5,000 bottles in a good year. The 1945 vintage was extraordinarily scarce – only 600 bottles were produced before the old vines were uprooted and replanted. This exclusive Burgundy wine (100% Pinot Noir) is revered for its complexity, elegance, and historical significance as a wartime vintage.
In 2018, a single 750ml bottle of DRC 1945 set a world auction record, selling for an astounding $558,000 at a Sotheby’s New York auction (with a second bottle from the same sale fetching $496,000). These unprecedented prices cemented Romanée-Conti 1945’s status as the most expensive Burgundy wine ever sold and the ultimate prize for wine collectors. Now over 75 years old, this Grand Cru Burgundy remains the Holy Grail of Pinot Noir. Its combination of extreme rarity, impeccable provenance, and legendary quality make it Burgundy’s crown jewel.
Curious what a half-million-dollar Burgundy tastes like? Realistically, few will ever find out – a bottle like that is more likely to sit in a museum or billionaire’s cellar than be opened. But you can still experience a taste of Burgundy’s magic in a more accessible way. For example, Garrafeira da Ilha offers Authentique Pinot Noir 2022 – an affordable French Pinot Noir from Pays d’Oc that delivers Burgundian charm without a sky-high price tag. While it won’t cost $500k, this elegant Pinot Noir gives you a hint of Burgundy’s finesse at a fraction of the price.
2. Henri Jayer Vosne-Romanée Cros Parantoux 1978 – A Pinot Noir Legend
The Masterpiece from a Burgundy Visionary
Henri Jayer’s wines are synonymous with Burgundy excellence, and his 1978 Vosne-Romanée Cros Parantoux is among the most coveted Pinot Noirs on the planet. Jayer was a visionary winemaker who famously turned the humble Cros Parantoux vineyard (a tiny Premier Cru parcel in Vosne-Romanée) into a collector’s dream. Despite not having Grand Cru status, Jayer’s Pinot Noir from this plot commands higher prices than most Grand Crus due to its sheer quality and rarity. In 2018, Christie’s auction of Jayer’s personal cellar sent Burgundy enthusiasts into a frenzy. The top lot – a 15-magnum vertical of Cros Parantoux spanning 1978 to 2001 – sold for over $1.17 million. But one bottle in particular stole the show.
A single magnum of Jayer’s 1978 Cros Parantoux, considered by many his winemaking masterpiece, fetched about $144,000 at that sale (roughly $72,000 per standard bottle). This astonishing result set a new benchmark for Burgundy Pinot Noir by volume. It underscores Henri Jayer’s legendary status in Burgundy wine history. His 1978 Cros Parantoux offers an extraordinary combination of richness, finesse, and “terroir” expression that collectors will pay a fortune to experience. Today, any bottle from Jayer – especially from the late 1970s and 1980s – is a prized trophy in the world of wine collectors and connoisseurs.
While Henri Jayer’s bottles are virtually unobtainable, you can still enjoy superb Pinot Noir without breaking the bank. Consider Villa Maria Private Bin Pinot Noir 2020 from New Zealand – a highly rated Pinot that offers vibrant fruit, silky texture, and Old World elegance reminiscent of Burgundy, all at a friendly price. Exploring top Pinot Noir from regions like New Zealand, Oregon, or even other parts of France can give you a taste of Burgundy wine style on a budget.
3. Domaine Leroy Musigny 1991 – The Rising Star of Burgundy
Grand Cru Burgundy That Rivaled Romanée-Conti
Domaine Leroy has rapidly become Burgundy royalty in its own right. Led by Lalou Bize-Leroy (a former co-owner of DRC), this domaine crafts Pinot Noir Grand Crus so exquisite and rare that they often rival Domaine de la Romanée-Conti’s wines in price. The Musigny Grand Cru from Domaine Leroy is particularly revered – a “young pretender” that even overtook Romanée-Conti in price at one point. One stunning example of Leroy’s ascent was seen at a high-profile auction in 2021: a 12-bottle case of Domaine Leroy Musigny 1991 sold for $460,650 (about $38,000 per bottle) at an Acker Wines auction. A second case of the same wine fetched nearly $450,000 in the same sale.
What makes Leroy’s Musigny so special? Tiny production and uncompromising quality. Lalou Bize-Leroy strictly limits yields in her Grand Cru vineyards, resulting in Pinot Noirs of incredible concentration, perfume, and longevity. Collectors worldwide covet these bottles for their intensity and rarity – they are modern legends of Burgundy wine. Domaine Leroy’s stellar reputation (with multiple Grand Cru cuvées among the world’s priciest wines) ensures that vintages like 1991 Musigny continue to appreciate in value and mystique. Simply put, this wine exemplifies Burgundy’s ability to produce exclusive wine treasures that fascinate enthusiasts and investors alike.
Enthralled by Leroy’s elite Burgundy but not ready to spend six figures? You can still get a glimpse of Burgundy’s pedigree through other fine wines. For instance, Campolargo Pinot Noir Red from Portugal channels Burgundy-like elegance in a limited-production Pinot Noir. Priced under €20, it delivers silky red fruit, earthy nuances, and refined balance – giving a taste of Burgundy’s terroir and finesse without the lofty price. It’s a delightful way to experience Burgundy wine character on a comfortable budget.
