The $16,500 Wine Tasting

How much would you pay to taste some rare wines? Decanter reports that 35 dedicated oenophiles paid $16,500 each to taste a variety of wines with an average bottle price of $2000 and some costing as much as $15,000 a bottle. The Top 100+ Wines of the Century was a three-day wine and food event last month by Manhattan-based Acker Merrall & Condit at New York restaurants, Le Bernardin, Cru, and Bouley. The guests were each given a modest taste of verticals including Rousseau Chambertin from the 1920s and Pétrus from the 50s, horizontals of 1959 First Growths and 1985 Jayer Burgundies, including Echézeaux, Vosne Romanée Cros Parantoux, and Richebourg, and Domaine de la Romanée Conti Romanée Conti from 1923, 1937 and 1945. Even though the quantities per person were small, a lot of wine was served, $400,000 worth in all. Decanter reports that the high price was no deterrent for wine lovers and that the event was sold out. Also because the wines were so old, not all of them were in peak condition. Some of the wines were “off” but such are the risks when cracking open bottles of older vintages. Personally, I’d rather enjoy a few amazing bottles and be able to partake of more than a taste of each but for those who are interested in tasting what few will ever get a chance to experience these tastings offer a rare opportunity.