Wine-Searcher: The World's Most Wanted Wines

Step aside Burgundy, there's only one region people are seriously searching.

It's that time of year again when we go through what's in and what's out, what's hot and what's not, and bring you all the latest hits.

When it comes to Wine-Searcher's most wanted, it is unlikely that many – if any – on this list will come as a surprise. However, what is worth noting that despite all the hype around regions like Burgundy and California's Napa, all people really seem to want is Bordeaux.

Top of the leaderboard is Château Mouton Rothschild with an impressive aggregate of 96 points. Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant, the rest of the blend is made up by Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The estate is noted both for its powerful wine and for the its iconic label that changes each year.

The most recent 2021 vintage features an elegant whimsical illustration by Japanese artist, Chiharu Shiota. The label features a delicate stick figure silhouette with four threads streaming out to a soft billowing cloud formation evoking the connection to the weather and the four seasons.

Wine Enthusiast described it as "big, rich and sumptuously smoky, this has density and power. Its blackberry tones are structured, with a core of tannins. This very fine wine has all the classic attributes of a Mouton, just slightly lighter." However, it comes in at a pricey USD 730.

Number two is that other great First-Growth Pauillac estate, Château Lafite Rothschild. Although owned by different branches of the Rothschild family, both Mouton and Lafite produce world-class Cabernet Sauvignon-centric Bordeaux capable of aging decades.

Mouton was bought by Nathaniel de Rothschild in 1853 and today remains in the ownership of his direct descendants. Lafite, however, was bought by Nathaniel's uncle, Baron James Mayer de Rothschild – again the estate is now run by his direct descendants.

With an aggregated score of 96 points, Lafite clearly hits all the right notes. Jeff Leve of The Wine Cellar Insider described the 2022 vintage as "garnet in color, a single swirl brings out its cornucopia of scents: flowers, currants, cherries, smoke, leather, lead pencil, Cuban cigar wrapper, orange rind and smoke." However, it also costs a cool USD 939.

Number three leaves the heady world of Bordeaux behind and heads to Italy's Tuscany. Tenuta San Guido's world-famous Sassicaia, with its distinct blue and gold eight-point star label, is named after the stony soils it's produced from.

The wine is a classic Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, with the grapes picked just before they reach full phenolic ripeness. The resulting wine has an extremely impressive aggregated score of 95 points.

Falstaff described the 2020 vintage as "bright ruby red, with a slight lightening on the rim. Precise and inviting nose, with notes of cassis and blackberry, plenty of tobacco, some smoke and cedar." However, it still costs a relatively hefty USD 366.

Number four sees a return to France, but this time to Champagne. Dom Pérignon's Brut has become a flagbearer for both the estate and the wider Champagne region. Unlike much of Champagne, the grapes tend to be picked comparatively late in the day – having slowly ripened all season – which helps give the wine its unique profile.

With a grand aggregated score of 94 points, the 2013 vintage of Dom Pérignon was described by Falstaff as being "chartreuse yellow, golden hues, with a refined, persistent mousse. Refined roasted aromas, fresh peach, white nougat, a hint of lime zest, very inviting bouquet, candied grapefruit zest and green apple in the background." All for USD 282.

The World's Most Wanted Wines on Wine-Searcher:

In fifth place is another great Bordeaux, the Right Bank juggernaut, Petrus with an aggregated score of 96 points. Although the winery dates back to 1837, its starry ascent only really began in the 20th Century when Madame Edmond Loubat took it over.

Loubat always believed Petrus was a great wine and priced it accordingly. This belief was then furthered by the Moueix family, who eventually came to own the estate and, as a result, Petrus swiftly joined the ranks of some of the world's most regarded wines.

Pure unadulterated Merlot, our own Master of Wine, David Allen described the 2011 as being "predominantly savory with notes of blackberry, boysenberry, damson, bullace and black olive". However, it also costs a pretty penny – USD 4238 to be precise.

Back to the Left Bank for number six. Château Margaux has been producing wine since the 16th Century and was rated a first growth in the original 1855 Bordeaux Classification of the Médoc, along with Lafite, Latour and Haut-Brion.

With an aggregated score of 96 points, the Margaux blend is – in the classic style of the Left Bank – dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon with the remainder made up by small portions of Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc.

As Jeff Leve swooned over the 1996 vintage – hinting at the elusive hundred points, "this could hit triple digits in a few years ... This stunning wine is showing beautifully today, and while pricey, it is the best deal for a mature vintage of Chateau Margaux in the market today." Currently, the average price for any vintage hovers around $765.

Lucky number seven is again found in the Left Bank. Château Latour is one of the oldest estates in Bordeaux with the earliest record dating back to 1331, the wine itself is only made from the grapes of vines that are, on average, 60 years old.

With an aggregated score of 96 points, Falstaff described the 2022 vintage as having "a multi-faceted bouquet of delicate vanilla and nougat, ripe dark berry fruit, black cherry, and a touch of fine cassis", However, it will also cost a cool USD 792.

Number eight is Château Haut-Brion in Pessac-Léognan. The earliest mention of wine being produced on the quartz-infused terroir dates back to 1521, however, it wasn't until 1935 when Clarence Dillon purchased the estate and set about elevating it. This passion and commitment to quality has continued down the generations and is now led by Prince Robert of Luxembourg.

The Haut-Brion cuvée tends to have more Merlot than Cabernet Sauvignon, which is unusual for the Left Bank, along with a dash of Cabernet Franc. As a result, Haut-Brion tends to have a slightly more plush character than other Left Bank wines. The estate describes it as having empyreumatic notes.

With an aggregated score of 96 points, Jeff Leve said, regarding the 2000 vintage, "it is impossible not to be awed by the wine. Intense, concentrated, complex, and filled with smoked, red fruits, charred wood, tar, spice, forest leaves, spice, and a farmers market of red berries, this is long, rich, mouth-coating and attention-seeking." However, it also comes in at USD 645.

Number nine is the first and only Burgundy to make this list – proving that although Burgundy may have all the cachet when it comes to price, when it comes to most wanted, it's Bordeaux's game.

However, Domaine de la Romanee-Conti is easily Burgundy's most recognizable estate, with their vineyards noted Unesco world heritage sites.

The Pinot Noir has a stunning aggregated critic score of 98 points. The 2007 was described by Falstaff as having "somewhat restrained aromas with savoury hints and fresh, wild red berries". All for an average price of USD 23,953. Perfectly reasonable.

Wrapping up this year's most wanted wines is Château d'Yquem of Sauternes fame. With a history dating back to the Middle Ages, the golden sticky blend between Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon is one of the world's greatest expressions of botrytized wine.

With an aggregated score of 96 points, Jeff Leve describes the 1976 vintage as having notes of "roasted apricots, honey-coated oranges, pineapple, ginger, flowers, and spices. The bite of acidity is the perfect balance for its layers of sweet, ripe, tropical fruits." However, all that gorgeousness costs USD 474.

While the most expensive on this list lean into the ridiculous, like Ferrari, Louis Vuitton and Rolex, the more desirable the wine, the deeper, it would seem, are people's pockets.

Finally, it must be noted, to the doomsayers that say Bordeaux is going out of fashion, with seven of the 10 hailing from the region, the data simply says the reverse.