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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 Margaux 1996

1996 was an excellent year in Bordeaux, just a step below the very best.

Save · All vintages of Château Margaux · Compare

Château Margaux in Bordeaux, France
robertdering · Adobe Stock · Adobe Stock Standard License

What to expect

Expect a ripe, well-balanced wine with a long life ahead of it.

6 of the 32 years we cover for this wine were rated higher.

A decanter and a glass of red wine on a white tablecloth in a panelled dining room
The year
Excellent
Last sold at auction for
$1,354a bottle · Christie's, Jun 2025
How hard to find
Getting scarce30 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 $573 and $1,354 each, across 18 sales since March 2022.

Every sale on record61 lots, each linked to the auction house
$400$600$800$1,000$1,200$1,400202320242025USD per 75 cl bottle · 2022-03-29 · $729USD per 75 cl bottle · 2022-03-29 · $750USD per 75 cl bottle · 2023-04-19 · $703USD per 75 cl bottle · 2023-04-19 · $729USD per 75 cl bottle · 2023-04-19 · $729USD per 75 cl bottle · 2023-09-12 · $781USD per 75 cl bottle · 2023-10-31 · $833USD per 75 cl bottle · 2023-12-11 · $573USD per 75 cl bottle · 2023-12-11 · $625USD per 75 cl bottle · 2023-12-11 · $688USD per 75 cl bottle · 2024-06-12 · $625USD per 75 cl bottle · 2024-12-18 · $625USD per 75 cl bottle · 2024-12-18 · $625USD per 75 cl bottle · 2025-02-26 · $625USD per 75 cl bottle · 2025-06-14 · $781USD per 75 cl bottle · 2025-06-14 · $833USD per 75 cl bottle · 2025-06-14 · $938USD per 75 cl bottle · 2025-06-14 · $1,354USD per bottle: lot price ÷ bottles in the lotSale date18 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 431 × 600 cl≈$7,695≈$7,695
Sep 2026Sotheby'sFinest & Rarest Wines (PF2662) · Paris · lot 428 × 75 cl≈$6,716≈$839
Dec 2025Christie'sThe Historic Cellar of Jürgen Schwarz: Five Decades of Collecting, Day I (sale 23766) · New York · lot 1191 × 600 cl$6,000$6,000
Jun 2025Christie'sThe Cellar of William I. Koch: The Great American Collector Day III (sale 24202) · New York · lot 9441 × 300 cl$6,875$6,875
Jun 2025Christie'sThe Cellar of William I. Koch: The Great American Collector Day III (sale 24202) · New York · lot 9433 × 150 cl$5,250$1,750
Jun 2025Christie'sThe Cellar of William I. Koch: The Great American Collector Day III (sale 24202) · New York · lot 94212 × 75 cl$9,375$781
Jun 2025Christie'sThe Cellar of William I. Koch: The Great American Collector Day III (sale 24202) · New York · lot 94112 × 75 cl$10,000$833
Jun 2025Christie'sThe Cellar of William I. Koch: The Great American Collector Day III (sale 24202) · New York · lot 94012 × 75 cl$11,250$938
Jun 2025Christie'sThe Cellar of William I. Koch: The Great American Collector Day III (sale 24202) · New York · lot 93912 × 75 cl$16,250$1,354
Apr 2025Christie'sTimeless Excellence: The Pristine Wine Collection of Jörg G. Bucherer (sale 24158) · London · lot 6312 × 75 cl≈$7,937≈$661
Apr 2025Christie'sFine and Rare Wines Online: London Edition (sale 23891) · London · lot 7526 × 75 cl≈$3,638≈$606
Feb 2025Christie'sFine and Rare Wines Online: LA Edition (sale 23748) · Los Angeles · lot 416 × 75 cl$3,750$625
Dec 2024Christie'sPristine Bordeaux Classics: The Directors Collection (sale 24053) · Los Angeles · lot 3912 × 75 cl$7,500$625
Dec 2024Christie'sPristine Bordeaux Classics: The Directors Collection (sale 24053) · Los Angeles · lot 3812 × 75 cl$7,500$625
Dec 2024Christie'sFinest and Rarest Wines & Spirits: Featuring A Superb Family Collection from North America (sale 23191) · Hong Kong · lot 211 × 600 cl≈$4,141≈$4,141
Dec 2024Christie'sFinest and Rarest Wines & Spirits: Featuring A Superb Family Collection from North America (sale 23191) · Hong Kong · lot 201 × 600 cl≈$4,141≈$4,141
Dec 2024Christie'sFinest and Rarest Wines & Spirits: Featuring A Superb Family Collection from North America (sale 23191) · Hong Kong · lot 191 × 300 cl≈$2,389≈$2,389
Oct 2024Christie'sA Life Well Lived: The Remarkable Cellar of Melina and Dr N.K. Yong (sale 23199) · Hong Kong · lot 50477 × 75 cl≈$4,141≈$592
Jul 2024Christie'sFine and Rare Wines Online: LA Edition (sale 23095) · Los Angeles · lot 3517 × 37.5 cl$5,000$294
Jun 2024Christie'sFine and Rare Wines Online: Featuring The Landmark Cellar (sale 23089) · Los Angeles · lot 1956 × 75 cl$3,750$625
May 2024Christie'sThe Epic Cellar (sale 23190) · Hong Kong · lot 50671 × 500 cl≈$5,097≈$5,097
Apr 2024Christie'sLe Gavroche Part II: The Wine Cellar (sale 22983) · London · lot 33111 × 75 cl≈$7,937≈$722
Dec 2023Christie'sFine Wine from the Cellar of Quincy Jones and A Diplomat's Collection of Rarities (sale 22106) · Los Angeles · lot 4512 × 75 cl$6,875$573
Dec 2023Christie'sFine Wine from the Cellar of Quincy Jones and A Diplomat's Collection of Rarities (sale 22106) · Los Angeles · lot 446 × 75 cl$3,750$625
Dec 2023Christie'sFine Wine from the Cellar of Quincy Jones and A Diplomat's Collection of Rarities (sale 22106) · Los Angeles · lot 434 × 75 cl$2,750$688
Oct 2023Christie'sFine and Rare Wines Online: Featuring Two Superlative Collections (sale 22105) · Los Angeles · lot 8812 × 75 cl$10,000$833
Oct 2023Christie'sFine and Rare Wines & Spirits Online: Continental Cellars (sale 23054) · London · lot 1212 × 75 cl≈$8,268≈$689
Sep 2023Christie'sFine and Rare Wines Online: Featuring a Superb Collection from the Pacific Northwest (sale 22074) · Los Angeles · lot 2418 × 75 cl$6,250$781
Apr 2023Christie'sFine and Rare Wines Online: Featuring the Ruan Collection (sale 22062) · Los Angeles · lot 3712 × 75 cl$8,750$729
Apr 2023Christie'sFine and Rare Wines Online: Featuring the Ruan Collection (sale 22062) · Los Angeles · lot 3612 × 75 cl$8,750$729
Apr 2023Christie'sFine and Rare Wines Online: Featuring the Ruan Collection (sale 22062) · Los Angeles · lot 358 × 75 cl$5,625$703
Sep 2022Christie'sThe Treasury: Finest Wines from a Peerless Collection (sale 21095) · London · lot 561 × 300 cl≈$4,299≈$4,299
Sep 2022Christie'sThe Treasury: Finest Wines from a Peerless Collection (sale 21095) · London · lot 551 × 300 cl≈$4,299≈$4,299
Sep 2022Christie'sThe Treasury: Finest Wines from a Peerless Collection (sale 21095) · London · lot 541 × 300 cl≈$3,969≈$3,969
Sep 2022Christie'sThe Treasury: Finest Wines from a Peerless Collection (sale 21095) · London · lot 536 × 75 cl≈$4,961≈$827
Sep 2022Christie'sThe Treasury: Finest Wines from a Peerless Collection (sale 21095) · London · lot 5212 × 75 cl≈$9,922≈$827
Jun 2022Christie'sTHE VISIONARY'S SPECTACULAR CELLAR PART II: Online (sale 21208) · Hong Kong · lot 2212 × 75 cl≈$10,353≈$863
May 2022Christie'sFine and Rare Wines & Spirits Online: The Geneva Edit (sale 20939) · Geneva · lot 33212 × 75 cl≈$10,532≈$878
May 2022Christie'sFine and Rare Wines & Spirits Online: The Geneva Edit (sale 20939) · Geneva · lot 33112 × 75 cl≈$10,532≈$878
May 2022Christie'sFine and Rare Wines & Spirits Online: The Geneva Edit (sale 20939) · Geneva · lot 33012 × 75 cl≈$10,532≈$878
May 2022Christie'sFine and Rare Wines & Spirits Online: The Geneva Edit (sale 20939) · Geneva · lot 32912 × 75 cl≈$10,532≈$878
May 2022Christie'sFine and Rare Wines & Spirits Online: The Geneva Edit (sale 20939) · Geneva · lot 32812 × 75 cl≈$10,532≈$878
May 2022Christie'sFine and Rare Wines & Spirits Online: The Geneva Edit (sale 20939) · Geneva · lot 32712 × 75 cl≈$10,532≈$878
May 2022Christie'sFine and Rare Wines & Spirits Online: The Geneva Edit (sale 20939) · Geneva · lot 32612 × 75 cl≈$10,532≈$878
May 2022Christie'sFine and Rare Wines & Spirits Online: The Geneva Edit (sale 20939) · Geneva · lot 32512 × 75 cl≈$10,532≈$878
May 2022Christie'sFine and Rare Wines & Spirits Online: The Geneva Edit (sale 20939) · Geneva · lot 32412 × 75 cl≈$10,532≈$878
May 2022Christie'sFine and Rare Wines & Spirits Online: The Geneva Edit (sale 20939) · Geneva · lot 32312 × 75 cl≈$10,532≈$878
May 2022Christie'sFine and Rare Wines & Spirits Online: The Geneva Edit (sale 20939) · Geneva · lot 32212 × 75 cl≈$11,284≈$940
May 2022Christie'sTHE VISIONARY'S SPECTACULAR CELLAR (sale 21212) · Hong Kong · lot 50628 × 75 cl≈$6,690≈$836
May 2022Christie'sTHE VISIONARY'S SPECTACULAR CELLAR (sale 21212) · Hong Kong · lot 506112 × 75 cl≈$12,743≈$1,062
May 2022Christie'sTHE VISIONARY'S SPECTACULAR CELLAR (sale 21212) · Hong Kong · lot 506012 × 75 cl≈$12,743≈$1,062
May 2022Christie'sTHE VISIONARY'S SPECTACULAR CELLAR (sale 21212) · Hong Kong · lot 505912 × 75 cl≈$12,743≈$1,062
May 2022Christie'sTHE VISIONARY'S SPECTACULAR CELLAR (sale 21212) · Hong Kong · lot 505812 × 75 cl≈$12,743≈$1,062
Apr 2022Christie'sFinest and Rarest Wines (sale 21093) · London · lot 11912 × 75 cl≈$9,922≈$827
Mar 2022Christie'sFinest & Rarest Wines Including a Collaboration with Grapes for Humanity Global Charity Foundation (sale 20967) · Los Angeles · lot 7912 × 75 cl$8,750$729
Mar 2022Christie'sFinest & Rarest Wines Including a Collaboration with Grapes for Humanity Global Charity Foundation (sale 20967) · Los Angeles · lot 7810 × 75 cl$7,500$750
Dec 2021Christie'sFinest and Rarest Wines Online (sale 21178) · Hong Kong · lot 2793 × 75 cl≈$2,230≈$743
Nov 2021Christie'sFinest and Rarest Wines (sale 19867) · Hong Kong · lot 609412 × 75 cl≈$13,539≈$1,128
Mar 2021Christie'sFinest and Rarest Wines and Spirits Featuring A Superlative Private Collection (sale 19854) · Hong Kong · lot 34212 × 75 cl≈$7,964≈$664
Mar 2021Christie'sFinest and Rarest Wines and Spirits Featuring A Superlative Private Collection (sale 19854) · Hong Kong · lot 34112 × 75 cl≈$7,964≈$664
Mar 2021Christie'sFinest and Rarest Wines and Spirits Featuring A Superlative Private Collection (sale 19854) · Hong Kong · lot 3812 × 75 cl≈$8,761≈$730
 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