CorkonomicsThe economics of wine production, collection, and vineyards
The numbers
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 Margaux 1990

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

Save · All vintages of Château Margaux · Compare

Château Margaux in Bordeaux, France
robertdering · 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
$1,250a bottle · Christie's, Jun 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.

ExceptionalExcellentVery goodGoodMixedDifficult

What bottles sell for

At auction, standard bottles of this vintage have sold for between $729 and $1,354 each, across 25 sales since February 2023.

Every sale on record57 lots, each linked to the auction house
$600$800$1,000$1,200$1,400202420252026USD per 75 cl bottle · 2023-02-14 · $875USD per 75 cl bottle · 2023-10-31 · $950USD per 75 cl bottle · 2023-12-11 · $917USD per 75 cl bottle · 2024-02-29 · $729USD per 75 cl bottle · 2024-02-29 · $729USD per 75 cl bottle · 2024-02-29 · $781USD per 75 cl bottle · 2024-02-29 · $800USD per 75 cl bottle · 2024-04-09 · $750USD per 75 cl bottle · 2024-04-09 · $833USD per 75 cl bottle · 2024-04-09 · $875USD per 75 cl bottle · 2024-04-09 · $938USD per 75 cl bottle · 2024-04-09 · $938USD per 75 cl bottle · 2024-04-09 · $990USD per 75 cl bottle · 2024-06-12 · $990USD per 75 cl bottle · 2024-12-19 · $750USD per 75 cl bottle · 2025-02-26 · $938USD per 75 cl bottle · 2025-04-23 · $812USD per 75 cl bottle · 2025-06-14 · $885USD per 75 cl bottle · 2025-06-14 · $990USD per 75 cl bottle · 2025-06-14 · $1,146USD per 75 cl bottle · 2025-06-14 · $1,354USD per 75 cl bottle · 2025-09-18 · $938USD per 75 cl bottle · 2025-12-05 · $875USD per 75 cl bottle · 2026-05-14 · $1,094USD per 75 cl bottle · 2026-06-05 · $1,250USD per bottle: lot price ÷ bottles in the lotSale date25 lots of 75 cl bottles sold in USD at Christie's · prices as published by each house
Sale dateHouse and saleFormatLot pricePer bottle
Sep 2026Sotheby'sFinest & Rarest Wines (PF2662) · Paris · lot 283 × 300 cl≈$18,189≈$6,063
Sep 2026Sotheby'sFinest & Rarest Wines (PF2662) · Paris · lot 272 × 300 cl≈$13,991≈$6,996
Sep 2026Sotheby'sFinest & Rarest Wines (PF2662) · Paris · lot 261 × 300 cl≈$6,296≈$6,296
Sep 2026Sotheby'sFinest & Rarest Wines (PF2662) · Paris · lot 259 × 75 cl≈$8,395≈$933
Jun 2026Christie'sThe Exceptional Private Cellar of a Silicon Valley Pioneer (sale 24554) · New York · lot 2012 × 75 cl$15,000$1,250
May 2026Christie'sFine and Rare Wines Online: Los Angeles Edition (sale 24553) · Los Angeles · lot 212 × 150 cl$5,250$2,625
May 2026Christie'sFine and Rare Wines Online: Los Angeles Edition (sale 24553) · Los Angeles · lot 208 × 75 cl$8,750$1,094
May 2026Christie'sFinal Treasures from the Wine Cellar of Andrew Lloyd Webber (sale 24806) · London · lot 7312 × 75 cl≈$12,402≈$1,034
Mar 2026Christie'sFine and Rare Wines & Spirits Online: Hong Kong Edition (sale 24459) · Hong Kong · lot 6551 × 75 cl≈$876≈$876
Mar 2026Christie'sFine and Rare Wines & Spirits Online: Hong Kong Edition (sale 24459) · Hong Kong · lot 5551 × 75 cl≈$796≈$796
Dec 2025Christie'sThe Historic Cellar of Jürgen Schwarz: Five Decades of Collecting, Day I (sale 23766) · New York · lot 1221 × 600 cl$9,375$9,375
Dec 2025Christie'sThe Historic Cellar of Jürgen Schwarz: Five Decades of Collecting, Day I (sale 23766) · New York · lot 1211 × 75 cl$875$875
Sep 2025Christie'sFine and Rare Wines Online: LA Edition (sale 23751) · Los Angeles · lot 3410 × 75 cl$9,375$938
Jun 2025Christie'sThe Cellar of William I. Koch: The Great American Collector Day III (sale 24202) · New York · lot 9571 × 500 cl$10,625$10,625
Jun 2025Christie'sThe Cellar of William I. Koch: The Great American Collector Day III (sale 24202) · New York · lot 9566 × 150 cl$13,750$2,292
Jun 2025Christie'sThe Cellar of William I. Koch: The Great American Collector Day III (sale 24202) · New York · lot 9553 × 150 cl$7,500$2,500
Jun 2025Christie'sThe Cellar of William I. Koch: The Great American Collector Day III (sale 24202) · New York · lot 95312 × 75 cl$16,250$1,354
Jun 2025Christie'sThe Cellar of William I. Koch: The Great American Collector Day III (sale 24202) · New York · lot 95212 × 75 cl$13,750$1,146
Jun 2025Christie'sThe Cellar of William I. Koch: The Great American Collector Day III (sale 24202) · New York · lot 95112 × 75 cl$10,625$885
Jun 2025Christie'sThe Cellar of William I. Koch: The Great American Collector Day III (sale 24202) · New York · lot 95012 × 75 cl$11,875$990
Apr 2025Christie'sFine and Rare Wines Online: London Edition (sale 23891) · London · lot 74512 × 75 cl≈$11,575≈$965
Apr 2025Christie'sFine and Rare Wines Online: London Edition (sale 23891) · London · lot 74412 × 75 cl≈$10,749≈$896
Apr 2025Christie'sFine and Rare Wines Online: London Edition (sale 23891) · London · lot 74312 × 75 cl≈$11,575≈$965
Apr 2025Christie'sFine and Rare Wines Online: Featuring the Cellar of a Southwestern Collector and the Final Offering from the Collection of Ben Ichinose (sale 23749) · Los Angeles · lot 541 × 75 cl$812$812
Mar 2025Christie'sFine and Rare Wines Online: Hong Kong Edition (sale 23906) · Hong Kong · lot 3622 × 75 cl≈$1,593≈$796
Feb 2025Christie'sFine and Rare Wines Online: LA Edition (sale 23748) · Los Angeles · lot 394 × 75 cl$3,750$938
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 6410 × 75 cl$7,500$750
Dec 2024Christie'sFinest and Rarest Wines & Spirits: Featuring A Superb Family Collection from North America (sale 23191) · Hong Kong · lot 146 × 75 cl≈$4,460≈$743
Oct 2024Christie'sA Life Well Lived: The Remarkable Cellar of Melina and Dr N.K. Yong (sale 23199) · Hong Kong · lot 50466 × 75 cl≈$4,779≈$796
Oct 2024Christie'sFine and Rare Wines & Spirits Online: London Edition (sale 23031) · London · lot 149 × 75 cl≈$7,441≈$827
Oct 2024Christie'sFine & Rare Wines from a Wine Lover's Impeccable Cellar: Online (sale 23196) · Hong Kong · lot 146 × 75 cl≈$6,690≈$1,115
Jun 2024Christie'sFine and Rare Wines Online: Featuring The Landmark Cellar (sale 23089) · Los Angeles · lot 19412 × 75 cl$11,875$990
Jun 2024Christie'sA Legacy Preserved: The Last Treasures of The Avery Collection (sale 23060) · London · lot 894 × 75 cl≈$5,788≈$1,447
Apr 2024Christie'sLe Gavroche Part II: The Wine Cellar (sale 22983) · London · lot 33211 × 75 cl≈$15,709≈$1,428
Apr 2024Christie'sFine and Rare Wines Online: Featuring Exceptional Madeira Collections (sale 23087) · Los Angeles · lot 7712 × 75 cl$11,250$938
Apr 2024Christie'sFine and Rare Wines Online: Featuring Exceptional Madeira Collections (sale 23087) · Los Angeles · lot 7612 × 75 cl$11,250$938
Apr 2024Christie'sFine and Rare Wines Online: Featuring Exceptional Madeira Collections (sale 23087) · Los Angeles · lot 7512 × 75 cl$11,875$990
Apr 2024Christie'sFine and Rare Wines Online: Featuring Exceptional Madeira Collections (sale 23087) · Los Angeles · lot 746 × 75 cl$5,000$833
Apr 2024Christie'sFine and Rare Wines Online: Featuring Exceptional Madeira Collections (sale 23087) · Los Angeles · lot 731 × 75 cl$750$750
Apr 2024Christie'sFine and Rare Wines Online: Featuring Exceptional Madeira Collections (sale 23087) · Los Angeles · lot 721 × 75 cl$875$875
Feb 2024Christie'sBordeaux Classics: The Masterpiece Collection (sale 23255) · Los Angeles · lot 13612 × 75 cl$8,750$729
Feb 2024Christie'sBordeaux Classics: The Masterpiece Collection (sale 23255) · Los Angeles · lot 13512 × 75 cl$8,750$729
Feb 2024Christie'sBordeaux Classics: The Masterpiece Collection (sale 23255) · Los Angeles · lot 13412 × 75 cl$9,375$781
Feb 2024Christie'sBordeaux Classics: The Masterpiece Collection (sale 23255) · Los Angeles · lot 1335 × 75 cl$4,000$800
Dec 2023Christie'sFine Wine from the Cellar of Quincy Jones and A Diplomat's Collection of Rarities (sale 22106) · Los Angeles · lot 403 × 75 cl$2,750$917
Nov 2023Christie'sFinest and Rarest Wines: Three Stunning Cellars (sale 22123) · Hong Kong · lot 61988 × 75 cl≈$7,168≈$896
Oct 2023Christie'sFine and Rare Wines Online: Featuring Two Superlative Collections (sale 22105) · Los Angeles · lot 825 × 75 cl$4,750$950
Jun 2023Christie'sFinest and Rarest Wines & Spirits (sale 21936) · London · lot 92510 × 75 cl≈$9,095≈$909
Apr 2023Christie'sFinest and Rarest Wines & Spirits (sale 21934) · London · lot 34512 × 75 cl≈$14,883≈$1,240
Apr 2023Christie'sFinest and Rarest Wines & Spirits (sale 21934) · London · lot 34412 × 75 cl≈$14,883≈$1,240
Feb 2023Christie'sFine and Rare Wines Online: Featuring the Renowned Cellar of an American Collector (sale 21810) · Los Angeles · lot 932 × 75 cl$1,750$875
Nov 2022Christie'sICONIC WINES FROM JOSEPH LAU PART II (sale 22019) · Hong Kong · lot 50147 × 75 cl≈$6,690≈$956
Sep 2022Christie'sThe Treasury: Finest Wines from a Peerless Collection (sale 21095) · London · lot 5112 × 75 cl≈$15,709≈$1,309
May 2022Christie'sThe Ultimate Private Collection Featuring The Greatest Burgundies Part II (sale 21086) · Hong Kong · lot 67741 × 75 cl≈$956≈$956
May 2022Christie'sTHE VISIONARY'S SPECTACULAR CELLAR (sale 21212) · Hong Kong · lot 505712 × 75 cl≈$13,539≈$1,128
Jun 2021Christie'sFinest and Rarest Wines and Spirits Featuring Two Superb Cellars, and Highlights from the Collection of The Earl of Snowdon (sale 20062) · London · lot 1651 × 300 cl≈$7,292≈$7,292
Jun 2021Christie'sFinest and Rarest Wines and Spirits Featuring Two Superb Cellars, and Highlights from the Collection of The Earl of Snowdon (sale 20062) · London · lot 1631 × 150 cl≈$2,754≈$2,754
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. The wines, Château Margaux, 2025. Retrieved 3 September 2026.
Last reviewed: September 2026Report an error on this page