Rothschild Family Treasures Under the Hammer
On 1 December 2025, Sotheby s Paris will host an extraordinary wine auction titled Legends from Château Lafite. The sale features rare bottles of Château Lafite Rothschild spanning more than a century, from 1870 to 1982, released directly from the private cellars of an unnamed member of the Rothschild family. A Century of Heritage in a Glass This historic collection comprises 61 lots valued at more than €1 million. Many of these wines have rested undisturbed for over 150 years in the Château s own cellars under ideal conditions. For this landmark event, each bottle has been inspected, relabelled, sealed, and laser-engraved by Sotheby s specialists, in collaboration with the technical team of Château Lafite.
These bottles are more than exceptional wines they are part of Lafite s own history. Frédéric Guyot du Repaire, Deputy Director Wine Department Europe, Sotheby’s Icons of the Wine World
Among the highlights are legendary vintages that shaped Bordeaux s reputation: the 1870 pre-phylloxera, the 1895, and post-war icons such as 1945, 1949, and 1953. A true centerpiece of the sale is a six-bottle collection featuring the most celebrated Lafite vintages of the 20th century 1928, 1945, 1949, 1953, 1955 and 1982. Originally stored at Tiré-Bouché, these bottles have been carefully reconditioned and certified for authenticity. Their estimated value: €40 000 €60 000. Private Cellars, Perfect Provenance Equally remarkable is a Jeroboam 1924 from the consignor’s personal collection
Each wine from this private cellar has been authenticated by Sotheby’s under the supervision of Château Lafite s technical team and re-packed in engraved original wooden cases a testament to the family’s uncompromising standards of preservation. Online bidding opens on 17 November, while the live auction will take place on 1 December 2025 in La Cave , Sotheby’s new Paris wine gallery. The event marks the inaugural sale in these newly designed premises a fitting stage for a collection of such historic magnitude.
A Milestone for Collectors and Fine-Wine Investors
This auction is far more than a sale; it represents a living chapter of wine history. For international collectors and seasoned investors, it offers a rare opportunity to acquire bottles that connect directly to the roots of Bordeaux s most prestigious First Growth. Each lot embodies the enduring legacy of the Rothschild family a fusion of provenance, craftsmanship, and timeless prestige.
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