Chateau Petrus

Chateau Petrus is among the most storied and most expensive wines at auction. Dating back to only 1837, and considered young in the Old World, the Petrus estate (only 28 acres) is in Bordeaux, France, snug in the Pomerol appellation.

Crafted from Merlot grapes on 40-year-old vines, the result is only 30,000 or so bottles a year. In fact, the wine didn’t arrive in the States until the 1940s and only became popular during the 1960s. It was the 1945 vintage that put this wine on the map. Since then, Chateau Petrus has appeared in pop culture many times, including episodes of television shows "Frasier" and "Law & Order: Criminal Intent."

Wine critics consistently give this wine a score of 95 points or more, calling out its firm tannins. Esteemed critic Robert Parker went so far as to suggest it be cellared for 30 to 40 years before drinking.

Quick Facts

• Chateau Petrus only makes one wine, the namesake Chateau Petrus
• At the Paris Exposition Universelle in 1878, Chateau Petrus snagged a gold medal, becoming the first Pomerol wine to do so
• In April of 2015, six bottles of 1982 Chateau Petrus sold at auction for $30,000