CorkonomicsThe economics of wine production, collection, and vineyards
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Vineyard land · Pauillac≈$2,798,250 a hectare▼ down 17% on 20232024Opening price · Château Lafite Rothschild 2025≈$376 a bottle▲ up 17% on the year beforeSold at auction · Romanée-Conti Grand Cru, DRC 2019$22,917 a bottleSotheby's, Sep 2026Cost to make one bottle · Burgundy grand cru (Pinot Noir)$48–283US duty on wine from · Canada+50%since Aug 2026Everyday bottle in a US shop$13.77 a litre▼ down 1.3% in a yearSep 2026Vineyard land · Margaux≈$1,567,020 a hectare▼ down 7% on 20232024Opening price · Château Cheval Blanc 2025≈$376 a bottle▲ up 22% on the year beforeSold at auction · La Tâche Grand Cru, DRC 2018$5,417 a bottleSotheby's, Sep 2026Cost to make one bottle · Champagne prestige cuvée$26–89US duty on wine from · Australia+12.5%since Jul 2026Vineyard land · Côte-Rôtie≈$1,511,055 a hectare▲ up 8% on 20232024Opening price · Château Mouton Rothschild 2025≈$336 a bottle▲ up 19% on the year beforeSold at auction · Richebourg Grand Cru, DRC 2012$3,542 a bottleSotheby's, Sep 2026Cost to make one bottle · Bordeaux classified growth (2nd–5th)$17–61US duty on wine from · New Zealand+12.5%since Jul 2026Vineyard land · Côte de Nuits grand cru≈$7,275,450 a hectare2019Opening price · Château Palmer 2025≈$268 a bottle▼ down 19% on the year beforeVineyard land · Pomerol≈$2,238,600 a hectare2023
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Château d'Yquem 2016

2016 was an exceptional year in Bordeaux: about as good as it gets.

Save · All vintages of Château d'Yquem · Compare

Château d'Yquem
Siobhan Leachman · Wikimedia Commons · CC0

What to expect

Wet spring then a dry summer; a large, balanced crop widely rated with 2009 and 2010. Expect a rich, complete wine that can keep improving for decades.

No year of this wine is rated higher. It shares the top mark with 5 others out of the 30 we cover.

A decanter and a glass of red wine on a white tablecloth in a panelled dining room
The year
Exceptional
Last sold at auction for
≈$234a bottle · Christie's, Jun 2025

Other vintages of this wine

One square for each year. The darker the square, the better the weather was for the grapes. Tap a year to read about it.

202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003200220012000199919981997199619951994
ExceptionalExcellentVery goodGoodMixedDifficult

What bottles sell for

At auction, standard bottles of this vintage have sold for between ≈$234 and ≈$262 each, across 2 sales since June 2025.

Every sale on record2 lots, each linked to the auction house
Sale dateHouse and saleFormatLot pricePer bottle
Jun 2025Christie'sThree Great Cellars: A Celebration of Superb Burgundy and Large Format Bordeaux (sale 23892) · London · lot 3786 × 75 cl≈$1,572≈$262
Jun 2025Christie'sThree Great Cellars: A Celebration of Superb Burgundy and Large Format Bordeaux (sale 23892) · London · lot 37712 × 75 cl≈$2,811≈$234
 Prices are in the currency of each sale. Christie’s and Sotheby’s include the buyer’s fee; Hart Davis Hart shows the price before it.

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2016 at the neighbours

What similar wines nearby asked for the same year. Tap one to read about it.

Compare side by side

What does this wine cost to make?Our estimate: $28–$95 a bottle

We estimate it costs about $28 to $95 to make one bottle of a wine like this. The price in the shop is far higher because the land is scarce, the name is famous, and many hands take a share on the way to you.

Low estimateImputed land cost: $11.34Vineyard operations: $3.31Oak barrels: $0.56Winemaking labour and cellar work: $2.50Cellar aging: $1.20Bottle, closure, label, case and bottling: $4.90Winery overhead: $3.00Financing over the aging period: $1.61$28 per bottleHigh estimateImputed land cost: $43.88Vineyard operations: $10.24Oak barrels: $1.61Winemaking labour and cellar work: $5.00Cellar aging: $2.96Bottle, closure, label, case and bottling: $13.40Winery overhead: $7.00Financing over the aging period: $10.89$95 per bottleImputed land costVineyard operationsOak barrelsWinemaking labour and cellar workCellar agingBottle, closure, label, case and bottlingWinery overheadFinancing over the aging periodUS$ per 75 cl bottle at the winery, before any margin, tax or transport · Corkonomics cost model

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Last reviewed: September 2026Report an error on this page