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 Lafite Rothschild 1990

1990 was an exceptional year in Bordeaux: about as good as it gets.

Save · All vintages of Château Lafite Rothschild · Compare

Château Lafite Rothschild, Bordeaux
Jordi Muray · Adobe Stock · Adobe Stock Standard License

What to expect

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 32 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
≈$669a bottle · Christie's, Mar 2026
How hard to find
Getting scarce36 years old

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.

202520242023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005200420032002200120001999199819971996
ExceptionalExcellentVery goodGoodMixedDifficult

What bottles sell for

At auction, standard bottles of this vintage have sold for between ≈$669 and ≈$1,062 each, across 34 sales since March 2021.

Every sale on record68 lots, each linked to the auction house
$600$700$800$900$1,000$1,10020222023202420252026HKD per 75 cl bottle · 2021-03-26 · $863HKD per 75 cl bottle · 2021-06-07 · $863HKD per 75 cl bottle · 2021-06-07 · $863HKD per 75 cl bottle · 2021-06-07 · $863HKD per 75 cl bottle · 2021-06-07 · $863HKD per 75 cl bottle · 2021-06-07 · $863HKD per 75 cl bottle · 2021-06-07 · $863HKD per 75 cl bottle · 2021-06-07 · $929HKD per 75 cl bottle · 2021-11-25 · $996HKD per 75 cl bottle · 2021-11-25 · $1,035HKD per 75 cl bottle · 2021-11-25 · $1,062HKD per 75 cl bottle · 2021-11-25 · $1,062HKD per 75 cl bottle · 2021-11-25 · $1,062HKD per 75 cl bottle · 2021-11-25 · $1,062HKD per 75 cl bottle · 2021-11-25 · $1,062HKD per 75 cl bottle · 2021-11-25 · $1,062HKD per 75 cl bottle · 2021-12-13 · $863HKD per 75 cl bottle · 2021-12-13 · $863HKD per 75 cl bottle · 2021-12-13 · $863HKD per 75 cl bottle · 2021-12-13 · $863HKD per 75 cl bottle · 2021-12-13 · $863HKD per 75 cl bottle · 2021-12-13 · $863HKD per 75 cl bottle · 2021-12-13 · $863HKD per 75 cl bottle · 2022-04-13 · $1,062HKD per 75 cl bottle · 2023-03-22 · $876HKD per 75 cl bottle · 2023-09-13 · $730HKD per 75 cl bottle · 2023-09-13 · $796HKD per 75 cl bottle · 2023-09-13 · $796HKD per 75 cl bottle · 2023-09-13 · $796HKD per 75 cl bottle · 2023-09-13 · $796HKD per 75 cl bottle · 2023-09-13 · $796HKD per 75 cl bottle · 2023-10-03 · $717HKD per 75 cl bottle · 2024-10-25 · $850HKD per 75 cl bottle · 2026-03-16 · $669USD per bottle: lot price ÷ bottles in the lotSale date34 lots of 75 cl bottles sold in USD at Christie's · prices as published by each house · ≈ converted to USD at the 9 Oct 2026 rate
Sale dateHouse and saleFormatLot pricePer bottle
Jul 2026Christie'sFine & Rare Wines: Featuring The Reserve Cellar and 50th Anniversary Wines Direct From Stag's Leap Wine Cellars (sale 24555) · Los Angeles · lot 10611 × 75 cl$688$688
Jun 2026Christie'sThe Exceptional Private Cellar of a Silicon Valley Pioneer (sale 24554) · New York · lot 112 × 75 cl$9,375$781
Mar 2026Christie'sFine and Rare Wines & Spirits Online: Hong Kong Edition (sale 24459) · Hong Kong · lot 3641 × 600 cl≈$6,053≈$6,053
Mar 2026Christie'sFine and Rare Wines & Spirits Online: Hong Kong Edition (sale 24459) · Hong Kong · lot 3631 × 75 cl≈$669≈$669
Nov 2025Christie'sFine and Rare Wines Online: London Edition (sale 24579) · London · lot 6649 × 75 cl≈$5,788≈$643
Nov 2025Christie'sFine and Rare Wines Online Featuring The Sierra Cellar (sale 23961) · Los Angeles · lot 1212 × 75 cl$9,375$781
Oct 2025Christie'sA Prodigious Private Cellar of Impeccable Provenance Part II: Online (sale 23825) · Hong Kong · lot 50012 × 150 cl≈$4,779≈$2,389
Jun 2025Christie'sThe Cellar of William I. Koch: The Great American Collector Day II (sale 24201) · New York · lot 29112 × 75 cl$8,750$729
Jun 2025Christie'sThe Cellar of William I. Koch: The Great American Collector Day II (sale 24201) · New York · lot 2909 × 75 cl$9,375$1,042
Apr 2025Christie'sTimeless Excellence: The Pristine Wine Collection of Jörg G. Bucherer (sale 24158) · London · lot 1012 × 75 cl≈$7,937≈$661
Apr 2025Christie'sTimeless Excellence: The Pristine Wine Collection of Jörg G. Bucherer (sale 24158) · London · lot 912 × 75 cl≈$7,937≈$661
Apr 2025Christie'sTimeless Excellence: The Pristine Wine Collection of Jörg G. Bucherer (sale 24158) · London · lot 812 × 75 cl≈$7,937≈$661
Feb 2025Christie'sFine and Rare Wines Online: LA Edition (sale 23748) · Los Angeles · lot 202 × 75 cl$1,625$812
Dec 2024Christie'sFine and Rare Wines including Vintage Icons from a West Coast Cellar and Historic Port from the Cellars of Raby Castle (sale 23100) · Los Angeles · lot 2712 × 75 cl$8,750$729
Oct 2024Christie'sA Life Well Lived: The Remarkable Cellar of Melina and Dr N.K. Yong (sale 23199) · Hong Kong · lot 50076 × 75 cl≈$5,097≈$850
Oct 2024Christie'sFine and Rare Wines & Spirits Online: London Edition (sale 23031) · London · lot 39 × 75 cl≈$6,614≈$735
Oct 2024Christie'sFine and Rare Wines Online: LA Edition (sale 23133) · Los Angeles · lot 510 × 75 cl$6,875$688
Oct 2024Christie'sThe Epic Cellar Part II (sale 23200) · Hong Kong · lot 21 × 600 cl≈$6,371≈$6,371
Jun 2024Christie'sFine and Rare Wines Online: Featuring The Landmark Cellar (sale 23089) · Los Angeles · lot 18212 × 75 cl$9,375$781
Jun 2024Christie'sA Legacy Preserved: The Last Treasures of The Avery Collection (sale 23060) · London · lot 6612 × 75 cl≈$11,575≈$965
Jun 2024Christie'sA Legacy Preserved: The Last Treasures of The Avery Collection (sale 23060) · London · lot 656 × 75 cl≈$7,937≈$1,323
May 2024Christie'sThe Epic Cellar (sale 23190) · Hong Kong · lot 50041 × 600 cl≈$6,053≈$6,053
Apr 2024Christie'sFine and Rare Wines Online: Featuring a Superlative Collection of Grand Cru Burgundy (sale 23030) · London · lot 4035 × 75 cl≈$3,638≈$728
Feb 2024Christie'sBordeaux Classics: The Masterpiece Collection (sale 23255) · Los Angeles · lot 7312 × 75 cl$7,500$625
Feb 2024Christie'sBordeaux Classics: The Masterpiece Collection (sale 23255) · Los Angeles · lot 7212 × 75 cl$9,375$781
Feb 2024Christie'sBordeaux Classics: The Masterpiece Collection (sale 23255) · Los Angeles · lot 7110 × 75 cl$12,500$1,250
Dec 2023Christie'sFine Wine from the Cellar of Quincy Jones and A Diplomat's Collection of Rarities (sale 22106) · Los Angeles · lot 337 × 75 cl$6,875$982
Oct 2023Christie'sFine and Rare Wines Online: Featuring Two Superlative Collections (sale 22105) · Los Angeles · lot 686 × 75 cl$7,500$1,250
Oct 2023Christie'sAn All-Encompassing Cellar: Online (sale 22115) · Hong Kong · lot 72 × 75 cl≈$1,434≈$717
Sep 2023Christie'sFinest and Rarest Wines & Spirits (sale 22121) · Hong Kong · lot 33912 × 75 cl≈$8,761≈$730
Sep 2023Christie'sFinest and Rarest Wines & Spirits (sale 22121) · Hong Kong · lot 33812 × 75 cl≈$9,557≈$796
Sep 2023Christie'sFinest and Rarest Wines & Spirits (sale 22121) · Hong Kong · lot 33712 × 75 cl≈$9,557≈$796
Sep 2023Christie'sFinest and Rarest Wines & Spirits (sale 22121) · Hong Kong · lot 33612 × 75 cl≈$9,557≈$796
Sep 2023Christie'sFinest and Rarest Wines & Spirits (sale 22121) · Hong Kong · lot 33512 × 75 cl≈$9,557≈$796
Sep 2023Christie'sFinest and Rarest Wines & Spirits (sale 22121) · Hong Kong · lot 2292 × 75 cl≈$1,593≈$796
Jun 2023Christie'sFinest and Rarest Wines & Spirits (sale 21936) · London · lot 9199 × 75 cl≈$6,284≈$698
Mar 2023Christie'sFine and Rare Wines & Spirits Online: Hong Kong Edition (sale 22112) · Hong Kong · lot 2871 × 75 cl≈$876≈$876
Feb 2023Christie'sFine and Rare Wines Online: Featuring the Renowned Cellar of an American Collector (sale 21810) · Los Angeles · lot 719 × 75 cl$7,500$833
Dec 2022Christie'sFinest and Rarest Wines & Spirits: Featuring Exceptional Anniversary Offerings from Ridge Vineyards and Champagne Philipponnat (sale 21096) · London · lot 43812 × 75 cl≈$12,402≈$1,034
Nov 2022Christie'sFine and Rare Wines Online: Geneva Edition (sale 20946) · Geneva · lot 401 × 300 cl≈$6,018≈$6,018
Nov 2022Christie'sFine and Rare Wines Online: Geneva Edition (sale 20946) · Geneva · lot 391 × 75 cl≈$903≈$903
Jun 2022Christie'sFinest and Rarest Wines and Spirits: Featuring Generations of Jayer, Burgundy from the Historic Cellars of King's College, Cambridge (sale 21094) · London · lot 671 × 150 cl≈$2,150≈$2,150
Apr 2022Christie'sFinest and Rarest Wines (sale 21493) · Hong Kong · lot 10212 × 75 cl≈$12,743≈$1,062
Dec 2021Christie'sFinest and Rarest Wines Online (sale 21178) · Hong Kong · lot 25912 × 75 cl≈$10,353≈$863
Dec 2021Christie'sFinest and Rarest Wines Online (sale 21178) · Hong Kong · lot 25812 × 75 cl≈$10,353≈$863
Dec 2021Christie'sFinest and Rarest Wines Online (sale 21178) · Hong Kong · lot 25712 × 75 cl≈$10,353≈$863
Dec 2021Christie'sFinest and Rarest Wines Online (sale 21178) · Hong Kong · lot 25612 × 75 cl≈$10,353≈$863
Dec 2021Christie'sFinest and Rarest Wines Online (sale 21178) · Hong Kong · lot 25512 × 75 cl≈$10,353≈$863
Dec 2021Christie'sFinest and Rarest Wines Online (sale 21178) · Hong Kong · lot 25412 × 75 cl≈$10,353≈$863
Dec 2021Christie'sFinest and Rarest Wines Online (sale 21178) · Hong Kong · lot 25312 × 75 cl≈$10,353≈$863
Nov 2021Christie'sFinest and Rarest Wines (sale 19867) · Hong Kong · lot 615512 × 75 cl≈$12,743≈$1,062
Nov 2021Christie'sFinest and Rarest Wines (sale 19867) · Hong Kong · lot 615412 × 75 cl≈$12,743≈$1,062
Nov 2021Christie'sFinest and Rarest Wines (sale 19867) · Hong Kong · lot 615312 × 75 cl≈$12,743≈$1,062
Nov 2021Christie'sFinest and Rarest Wines (sale 19867) · Hong Kong · lot 615212 × 75 cl≈$12,743≈$1,062
Nov 2021Christie'sFinest and Rarest Wines (sale 19867) · Hong Kong · lot 615112 × 75 cl≈$11,946≈$996
Nov 2021Christie'sFinest and Rarest Wines (sale 19867) · Hong Kong · lot 615012 × 75 cl≈$12,743≈$1,062
Nov 2021Christie'sFinest and Rarest Wines (sale 19867) · Hong Kong · lot 614912 × 75 cl≈$12,743≈$1,062
Nov 2021Christie'sFinest and Rarest Wines (sale 19867) · Hong Kong · lot 60161 × 75 cl≈$1,035≈$1,035
Nov 2021Christie'sAn Exceptional Private Cellar Featuring d'Auvenay, Macallan and Karuizawa (sale 19866) · Hong Kong · lot 50061 × 600 cl≈$8,761≈$8,761
Jun 2021Christie'sFinest and Rarest Wines and Spirits (sale 19857) · Hong Kong · lot 712 × 75 cl≈$10,353≈$863
Jun 2021Christie'sFinest and Rarest Wines and Spirits (sale 19857) · Hong Kong · lot 612 × 75 cl≈$10,353≈$863
Jun 2021Christie'sFinest and Rarest Wines and Spirits (sale 19857) · Hong Kong · lot 512 × 75 cl≈$10,353≈$863
Jun 2021Christie'sFinest and Rarest Wines and Spirits (sale 19857) · Hong Kong · lot 412 × 75 cl≈$10,353≈$863
Jun 2021Christie'sFinest and Rarest Wines and Spirits (sale 19857) · Hong Kong · lot 312 × 75 cl≈$10,353≈$863
Jun 2021Christie'sFinest and Rarest Wines and Spirits (sale 19857) · Hong Kong · lot 212 × 75 cl≈$11,150≈$929
Jun 2021Christie'sFinest and Rarest Wines and Spirits (sale 19857) · Hong Kong · lot 112 × 75 cl≈$10,353≈$863
May 2021Christie'sFine and Rare Wines (sale 20026) · Geneva · lot 7171 × 75 cl≈$885≈$885
Mar 2021Christie'sFinest and Rarest Wines and Spirits Featuring A Superlative Private Collection (sale 19854) · Hong Kong · lot 312 × 75 cl≈$10,353≈$863
 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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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

See the full breakdown

Sources

  1. Château Lafite Rothschild — producer profile, The Wine Cellar Insider, 2025. Retrieved 22 September 2026. typical annual production
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