22 Best Expensive Champagne Bottles To Splurge On
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When most people think of Champagne, they think of the most popular brands that are available at most grocery stores. The best cheap Champagnes are always good options for accessibility and practicality.
However, if you're looking for a taste of luxury and want to spend your money on something special, take a look at these best expensive Champagnes. They are not only decadent and tasty, but they come with bragging rights as well!
Most of the items below are vintage bottles, which are more expensive than non-vintage Champagne. Nevertheless, they offer the best quality and taste around. Best of all, they will impress your guests at any party!
Our Top Picks
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Best Overall - Salon Blanc de Blancs Le Mesnil-sur-Oger 2002• Great depth of flavors |
Best Flavor Combinations - Champagne Krug Clos d'Ambonnay 1995• Toasty notes mixed with spice |
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Best for Big Parties - 2011 Armand de Brignac Brut Gold Ace of Spades 15-liter• Classy and famous branding |
1. Salon Blanc de Blancs Le Mesnil-sur-Oger 2002 - Best Overall
Average Price: $430
Tasting Notes: Citrus, Flowers, Mineral
Salon Blanc de Blancs Le Mesnil-sur-Oger 2002 is one of the most exquisite Champagne wines money can buy. It's made from 100% Chardonnay grapes grown on deep chalk soils in the town of Le Mesnil and represents over a century of dedication to crafting the perfect Champagne.
The 2002 vintage was a success story in the making. It shimmered with the excellence of its incomparable growing conditions. There was no serious frost which helped maintain the vines' healthy status. Plus, long sunny periods also helped with the ripeness.
This bottle boasts a soft golden hue and an aromatic nose. The palate features flavors of honeyed orange and candied fruit that linger long, making it a real crowd-pleaser. Its harmonious mouthfeel is also rich and graceful.
2. Champagne Krug Vintage Brut (1.5 Liter) 1988
Average Price: $950
Tasting Notes: Spices, Honey, Lemon
Krug Vintage Brut is the culmination of centuries of experience and expertise. Fermented in small oak casks, this Champagne has a uniquely rich flavor that sets it apart from the competition. With generations of know-how behind it, Krug Vintage Brut is a true testament to the artistry of Champagne making.
The nose on this vintage Brut Champagne will take you on a journey of superior fruit tones, including peaches, melons, apples, nuts, and bananas. The palate is layered with fresh fruit flavors that are amazingly natural.
3. Champagne Krug Clos du Mesnil Blanc de Blancs 1995
Average Price: $969
Tasting Notes: Nuts, Honey, Brioche
Upon popping the cork on a bottle of 1995 Krug Clos du Mesnil Blanc de Blancs, you'll be treated to an unforgettable experience. It's a rare and exquisite wine made from Champagne grapes grown in a single vineyard and within a single year. It's one out of two from Krug of its kind!
Clos du Mesnil is a beautiful, centuries-old vineyard that has been home to some of the greatest wines in France. This 1.84-hectare walled Domaine sits at an elevation perfect for cultivating Chardonnay grapes. Back in 1979, it used to be a part of Remi and Henri Krug's bigger vineyard.
The first sip of this 1995 Clos du Mesnil Blanc de Blancs displays crisp, fresh, and refreshing notes. It also has an impression spill into biscuit-like flavors followed by melon diffusing through hints of Frangipane.
4. Pol Roger Sir Winston Churchill (3 Liter) 1988
Average Price: $1,175
Tasting Notes: Oxidative Flavors, Pastries
Pol Roger is a Champagne house run by a family awarded the honor of being one of France's grande marque Champagne producers. With less than 120,000 cases produced each year, they can be found in some prestigious restaurants across Europe and America.
The famed Pol Roger Sir Winston Churchill (3 Liter) 1988 is a Champagne created in honor of Britain's most famous wartime leader. This bottle has all those qualities that make up for strong, mature, and structured Champagnes like he would have appreciated them.
The gold color represents power which this 3-liter Champagne bottle possesses in abundance, as well as a lively bouquet that includes aromas of flowers, buttery pastries, and dried fruits. It has a robust taste on the palate with honey elements and spice.
5. 1959 Dom Perignon
Average Price: $2,300
Tasting Notes: Licorice, Caramel, Tobacco
The 1959 vintage of Dom Perignon is a special and rare occasion for Moet & Chandon. The 69th Vintage represents an extraordinary year, punctuated by an early harvest that began on September 10th.
The grapes were perfectly ripe during the harvest, owing to the weather conditions that year which is rare in the Champagne wine region in France. The grapes are full-bodied with a lovely opulence, and the warm flavor introduces its powerful body before a bold taste reveals notes of fruit and vanilla.
The rich aroma is full of vibrant notes that include honey, licorice, and tobacco before giving way to an otherworldly mix dominated by dark chocolate with caramel undertones.
6. Boërl & Kroff Brut Rose
Average Price: $2,500
Tasting Notes: Citrus and Red Fruits
Today, there wouldn't be any Boërl & Kroff if Champagne House Drappier didn't exist. In 1955, Michel Drappier set out to create a new iconic brand of Champagne by picking the best berries in an acre of his vineyard and exclusively vinifying them.
All three typical grapes used in Champagne - Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier - come together to create a rich, complex, and fizzy wine with fresh citrus flavors and hints of red berries on the nose. It's perfect as an apéritif, a Champagne food pairing, or on its own.
7. 1985 Bollinger Vieilles Vignes Francaises Blanc de Noirs
Average Price: $3,000
Tasting Notes: Apple, Pear, Oak
The 1985 Bollinger Blanc de Noirs is a truly unique wine. It's made entirely from Pinot Noir grapes cultivated in two single plots adjacent to the House in Aÿ and are grown following the traditional en foule layering system. Moreover, the grapevines are non-grafted and maintained by hand.
This sparkling wine features a buttery, creamy flavor with hints of rye and pear. The nose is delicate and floral, with dark fruit undertones that are strikingly similar to those of Lambrusco wines.
8. Champagne Krug Clos d'Ambonnay 1995
Average Price: $3,439
Tasting Notes: Brioche, Hazelnut, Orchard Fruits
The 1995 Clos d'Ambonnay is a rare, exquisite wine from France's most hallowed vineyards that debuted in 2007. This single-vineyard Champagne is the brainchild of the Krug brothers, who took a good 15 years to craft this along with their other Champagnes.
With only 250 cases released on the market for people to buy, this is one of the most exclusive and sought-after Champagnes in all of France. This bubbly is further identified as a Blanc de Noirs, made with only Pinot Noir grapes.
This Champagne is known for its complex flavors of caramel, brioche, spices, sweet pastry cream, and more. Plus, its delicate aromas are sure to tantalize your taste buds!
9. 1995 Boerl & Kroff Brut Millesime
Average Price: $3,510
Tasting Notes: Earthy tones, Citrus, Honey
If you can't get your hands on a bottle of high-priced Champagne because of scarcity, then Boërl and Kroff's Brut Millesime is what dreams are made of. It is among the most expensive Champagnes that isn't considered limited or special edition so that you can get this almost anytime.
This sparkling wine has a delicate fizz and refreshing acidity that will make you want to keep drinking. The initial taste is medium-bodied with honey flavors before transitioning into mineral undertones. You can also detect a blend of apple and pear on the nose.
10. Louis Roederer Cristal ‘Gold Medalion’ Orfevres Limited Edition Brut Millésimé 2002
Average Price: $4,033
Tasting Notes: Candied Fruits, Cocoa, Hazelnuts
Louis Roederer Cristal is the ultimate expression of luxury and decadence. This expensive Champagne bottle is made extravagant by two French goldsmiths with 24-carat gold, and each bottle features intricate lattice work that takes four days to complete!
It is no surprise that the price of this sparkling wine has led to it being one of the most pricy Champagnes in international markets. It will excite the room with its powerful flavors of roasted hazelnuts, cocoa powder, sweet flowers, and candied citrus fruits.
11. Moet & Chandon Dom Perignon Charles & Diana 1961
Average Price: $4,500
Tasting Notes: Pinot Noir, Smoky, and Dry Chardonnay
The Royal family served this Dom Perignon Champagne at Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s wedding reception. The 1961 vintage Champagne was also the year of Diana’s birth. The Champagne brand released a small number of these expensive Champagne bottles for sale to commemorate the occasion.
The first sip of this Dom Perignon is like nothing else you've ever had. It's light yellow with an extremely nutty hazelnut nose, very fine mousse, and lively acidity that lasts for just the right amount in taste - not too much or none at all!
12. Salon Cuvee 'S' Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs Brut 1966
Average Price: $9,559
Tasting Notes: Toasted Bread, Citrus, Creamy
Salon Le Mesnil is a sparkling wine where you can find the perfect balance between elegance and power. Salon's founder, Aimé Salon desired his Champagne to have alluring aromas while also being subtle; thus, he created this luxurious drink.
This exquisite Champagne is perfect for special occasions. It features delightful aromas that include acacia, hazelnut, and brioche. The minerality and tanginess on the palate make it truly unforgettable, and the long finish ensures you'll savor every sip.
13. Dom Pérignon Rosé by David Lynch (3 Liter) 1998
Average Price: $11,949
Tasting Notes: Orange, Floral, Wood Spices
This Dom Perignon Rose is one of the most expensive and exclusive Champagnes in the world. This luxurious beverage comes from one of France's most prominent Champagne houses, with Hollywood director David Lynch as its designer.
This rosé has a lot of personalities. It starts out with the most delicate and aromatic notes, which then develop into more complex aromas, including orange peel or dried fruitiness on your tongue after each sip. The balanced structure makes for an elegant drinking experience in the mouth.
14. Shipwrecked Champagne
Average Price: $14,200+ (depends on brand)
Tasting Notes: Smoky, More Intense Fruit Flavors, Woody
The shipwreck of a luxury goods cargo in the Baltic Sea turned out to be not just any old boring affair. 168 Champagne bottles worth over $30 million dollars were discovered by chance when underwater exploration teams went looking for something else entirely.
The Champagnes included prestigious producers like Veuve Clicquot, Ponsardin, Heidsieck, and Juglar. They have gone through deep-sea aging for more than 200 years, developing an exquisite taste as they did so!
The researchers found that the bottles of Champagne had high concentrations of iron, copper, and sodium chloride - higher than Champagnes today! This explains the notes wine-tasting experts observed, such as grilled, smoky, leathery, and spicy.
15. Louis Roederer, Cristal Brut 1990 Millennium Cuvee Methuselah
Average Price: $18,800
Tasting Notes: White, and Citrus Fruits, Mineral, Silky
This Champagne is on the market with a high price point because of its size, which is a whooping 6-liter bottle. That's equivalent to 8 standard bottles of Champagne! This is also considered rare as there are only 2,000 of this kind produced. For its $18,800 price tag, some people say this limited edition is already a steal!
This Cristal Brut 1990 Millennium Cuvee is a true work of art. It's full-bodied with a silky texture and fruity aromas. These are perfectly matched by a rich minerality that gives way gradually into citrus notes and white fruits.
16. 1928 Champagne Krug Vintage Brut
Average Price: $21,200
Tasting Notes: Bread, Vanilla, Citrus
In 2009, the world record breaker for most expensive Champagne sold at an auction was set when a bottle of Krug Vintage Brut went up for sale at Acker Merrall & Condit. The auction house in Hong Kong sold it off with $21,200 USD on their behalf.
The 1928 vintage holds an esteemed place in history. The Krug's cellars have come through thick and thin, surviving World War II, safe from the Nazis. Plus, this vintage bears witness to perfect harvest conditions, which explain its exquisite taste.
This Champagne has been aged for exceptional flavors such as apricot and honey, which is sure to leave an impression that lasts on everyone you share it with. Plus, the bottles themselves are sought-after - a favorite of King George VI himself!
17. 1841 Veuve Clicquot
Average Price: $34,000
Tasting Notes: (No details of flavor profile are revealed)
One of the most expensive Champagne bottles in the world, Veuve Clicquot 1841, is a rare find. Not just for its quantity but also because it was found at sea and not on land! This is just one of the 168 bottles that were found in a shipwreck from the Baltic Sea.
Despite being in the bottle for over 200 years, Veuve Clicquot still retained most of its original taste. The proceeds from the 1841 Veuve Clicquot were used to support a number of charities, all related in some way or another with maritime history - a true collector's item indeed.
18. 2011 Armand de Brignac Brut Gold Ace of Spades 15-liter
Average Price: $35,000
Tasting Notes: Tropical Fruits, Silky, Brioche
The Armand de Brignac Brut Gold Ace of Spades, owned by rapper Jay Z has it all: class, popularity, and size for a price tag that will make any Champagne fan drool with envy. The bottle contains a whopping 15 liters!
This premium Champagne is produced by the Cattier family, one of the most established houses in Champagne, France. The container alone is a work of art, taking six months to create and adorned with iconic branding.
This delicious bubbly is loaded with nectarine, pear, sweet butter, and honeysuckle aromas. You'll also get a hint of lemon on the nose, while the palate boasts a zesty lemon flavor mixed with a hint of spice and minerality.
19. 1820 Juglar Cuvee
1820 Juglar Cuvee Image by luxatic.com
Average Price: $43,500
Tasting Notes: (No record of specific taste but described as distinct and exquisite)
The 1820 Juglar Cuvee is one of the rarest and coveted Champagnes in the world. It is one of the Champagne bottles found in the same shipwreck as we mentioned above. It comes from a defunct Champagne house that ceased operations in 1840. No wonder why this is one of the rarest in the globe.
It seems like an expensive bottle at first glance, but when you consider that this particular style has been aged for over 200 years by being on board a shipwreck and still able to maintain its flavor, it becomes clear why they are so highly valued!
It's been in the possession of one buyer, but they never gave an opinion on how it tastes like or if they liked it at all, which makes this Champagne unique and mysterious among others with their input!
20. 1996 Dom Perignon Rose Gold Methuselah
Average Price: $49,000
Tasting Notes: Strawberries, Vanilla, Smoky, Spices
The 1996 Dom Perignon Rose Gold Methuselah is a robust Champagne that exudes power and prestige. This vintage collection release from the famous winery offers an aesthetic design and an exciting taste.
Furthermore, the 1996 Rose Gold Methuselah is one of the rarest bottles in existence. It’s so exclusive, and only 35 were ever made! This is said to have a bold and sharp flavor with hints of vanilla and spice, making your mouth water for more after just two sips.
21. 2013 Armand de Brignac Rose 30-Liter Midas
Average Price: $275,000
Tasting Notes: Red Fruits, Blackcurrants, Silky
The Armand de Brignac 30-Liters is a behemoth of the beverage world. It's not just any size; it weighs over 100 pounds! The Champagne bottle has been specially designed to hold 40 standard-sized drinks and tastes as good or better than most other brands out there.
This dazzling Champagne is housed in a pink-gold bottle and blends sparkling white wine with some still Pinot Noir, resulting in an unforgettable taste. This bottle was first presented to the world in 2013, specifically at a party for Jay Z.
The 2013 Armand de Brignac Rose is a beautiful, rich salmon-colored wine with a nose that smells freshly off the grill. It's sleek and full-bodied in your mouth as you bite down on its delicate red fruits flavors. Then it's smoothed out by an elegant finish lasting quite some time after drinking the Champagne.
22. 2013 Gout de DiamantsTaste of Diamonds
Average Price: $2,070,000
Tasting Notes: Floral, Velvety, White Fruits
Welcome to the world of Gout de Diamants! The most luxurious, high-priced Champagne in the world. Its exquisite taste is one factor that makes up its $2.07 million price, but the main factor here is actually the bottle it comes in.
The majestic label on the bottle of Gout de Diamants is fashioned from white gold, with an impressive Swarovski crystal in its center. The design comes courtesy of Shammi Shinh, the famed founder, owner, and CEO of Prodiguer Brands in London.
Made from Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, and Grand Cru Chardonnay grapes, the unexpected flavors of this drink are set to please anyone. It has an exquisite taste that will leave you wanting more with its rich, creamy texture and floral notes before fading into lightness on your tongue.
Conclusion
The bottles above surely are an investment and need sufficient consideration when deciding to indulge in the best expensive Champagnes or other alcohol like the most expensive wines or most expensive bourbons.
We hope this article inspired you and gave you knowledge about the grandest beverages. What are your thoughts about these extravagant Champagnes? We'd love to hear your comments below.
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