The South West: the top 20 highest-priced bottles at auction (first semester of 2018)

High Priced wine bottles iDealwine auction South West French region

We’re taking you on a tour of the 20 most expensive bottles to sell so far in 2018 from the South West, a region that boasts a large variety of native grape varieties and that produces wines renowned for their ageing potential.

Wines from the South West represent only a small proportion of the bottles exchanged on the iDealwine auction platform (for now). However, red and sweet wines from this region are seeing their prices gradually rise. We’ve compiled this top 20 ranking by taking only the most expensive cuvée from each domaine which should help give a broader picture.

The top three spots are occupied by the leading lights of the South West: the Jurançon from Clos Joliette, produced in minute quantities, Jardins de Babylone from Domiane Didier Dagueneau (managed by his son Louis-Benjamin since his death in 2008), whose Loire wines are also highly sought-after, and finally the Monbazillac Tirecul La Gravière, that Robert Parker christened the “Yquem of Monbazillac”.

The wonderful 2005 vintage from this region is popular amongst bidders. Cuvées such as Les Laquets from Cosse-Maisonneuve, La Tyre from Château Montus (owned by Alain Brumont who has helped put the Madiran appellation on the map) and the cuvée Madame from Château Tirecul La Gravière.

Cahors is another appellation that is enjoying more recognition and the wines from Château Lagrezette (6^th), Clos de Gamot (14^th)? Chaëtau le Cèdre (15^th) and Château Haute-Serre (19^th) all make an appearance.

Nature friendly winemaking is another key trend that touches the South West. Clos Triguedina, certified in sustainable agriculture, the organic (with certification) and biodynamic Domaine de Souch, and Château Le Cèdre (organic certification) are all represented in the rankings;

The South West is also home to the much-adored Armagnacs that never fail to perform well at auction. Below you’ll also find the 20 most expensive bottles of Armagnac to sell on the auction platform this year.

The South West: top 20 highest-priced bottles of the first semester of 2018

Position	Lot	Colour	Lot price (incl. VAT)	Price (per 75cl bottle & incl. VAT)	Variation on price estimate (or reserve price)	Date of sale	Country of residence of winning bidder
1	Bottle of Jurançon 1979 – Clos de la Joliette	White	219 €	219 €	22%	14/03/2018	France
2	Bottle of Jurançon Jardins de Babylone 2007 – D. Dagueneau	Sweet white	122 €	122 €	–	16/05/2018	France
3	3 bottles of Madiran Château Montus-La Tyre 2005 – A.Brumont	Red	298 €	99 €	25%	28/03/2018	United Kingdom
4	Half bottle of Monbazillac Cuvée Madame 2005 – Château Tirecul La Gravière	Sweet white	91 €	91 €	–	14/02/2018	Denmark
5	Half bottle of Jurançon Quintessence du Petit Manseng 2009 – Cauhapé	Sweet white	40 €	80 €	10%	23/05/2018	France
6	3 bottles of Cahors Le Pigeonnier 2001 – Château Lagrezette	Red	231 €	77 €	27%	28/03/2018	United Kingdom
7	Bottle of Cahors Probus 1978 – Clos Triguedina	Red	67 €	67 €	10%	13/06/2018	France
8	Bottle of Jurançon 1959 – N. Charenton	White	63 €	63 €	30%	27/02/2018	United Kingdom
9	3 bottles of Gaillac Vin d’Antan 1989 – R. Plageoles	White	182 €	61 €	–	23/05/2018	Norway
10	Bottle of Madiran 666 2006 – Lafont	Red	58 €	58 €	37%	16/05/2018	France
11	3 bottles of Jurançon Eminence 2004 – Bru Baché	Red	164 €	55 €	31%	14/03/2018	France
12	Double magnum of Jurançon Suprême de Thou 2001 – Clos Thou	Sweet white	310 €	52 €	183%	16/05/2018	France
13	Bottle of Jurançon Vendanges Tardives 2007 – Souch	White	47 €	47 €	56%	14/02/2018	France
14	Bottle of Cahors 1985 – Clos de Gamot	Red	43 €	43 €	58%	25/04/2018	France
15	6 bottles of Cahors Cuvée Le Cèdre 2001 – Château du Cèdre	Red	255 €	43 €	9%	11/04/2018	France
16	6 bottles of Cahors Floissac 1990 – Gilis	Red	73 €	36 €	6%	11/04/2018	France
17	Bottle of Montravel Cuvée Coeur de Roche 2009 – Château Moulin Caresse	Red	36 €	36 €	0%	30/05/2018	France
18	Bottle of Monbazillac 1990 – Clos Fontindoule	Sweet white	34 €	34 €	10%	17/01/2018	France
19	Bottle of Cahors 1988 – Château Haute-Serre	Red	33 €	33 €	16%	18/04/2018	United Kingdom
20	6 bottles of Cahors Les Laquets 2005 -Cosse- Maisonneuve	Red	64 €	32 €	–	14/02/2018	France

Armagnac: top 20 highest-priced bottles of the first semester of 2018

Position	Lot	Lot price (incl. VAT)	Price (per 75cl bottle & incl. VAT)	Variation on price estimate (or reserve price)	Date of sale	Country of residence of winning bidder
1	Bottle of Vieux Bas Armagnac 1920 – Laberdolive (Domaine d’Escoubes)	851 €	851 €	46%	23/05/2018	France
2	Bottle of Vieux Bas Armagnac 1942 – Laberdolive (Domaine de Jaurrey)	608 €	608 €	43%	11/04/2018	France
3	Bottle of Armagnac 1929 – Maison Vaghi	426 €	426 €	15%	25/04/2018	France
4	Bottle of Bas Armagnac 1939 – Laubade	413 €	413 €	1%	03/05/2018	Hong Kong
5	Bottle of Vieil Armagnac 1943 – Château de Cassaigne	316 €	316 €	6%	03/05/2018	France
6	Bottle of Armagnac 1931 – Marquis de Sauval	304 €	304 €	16%	20/06/2018	Switzerland
7	Bottle of Bas Armagnac 1949 – Noel	268 €	268 €	33%	17/01/2018	France
8	Bottle of Vieil-Armagnac 1946 – Baron G Legrand	231 €	231 €	13%	11/04/2018	France
9	Bottle of Bas Armagnac 1939 – Bordenave	207 €	207 €	4%	17/01/2018	France
10	Bottle of Armagnac 1949 – Mader	195 €	195 €	5%	23/05/2018	France
11	Bottle of Armagnac 1924 – Croix de salles	186 €	186 €	7%	30/05/2018	USA
12	Bottle of Bas Armagnac 1963 – Gaube Darroze	182 €	182 €	5%	28/03/2018	France
13	Bottle of Armagnac 1987 – de Charron	122 €	122 €	35%	30/05/2018	France
14	Bottle of Bas Armagnac 1968 – Le Bret	122 €	122 €	2%	17/01/2018	France
15	Bottle of Armagnac Les Gds Millésimes 1942 – Château de Neguebouc	116 €	116 €	–	25/04/2018	France
16	Bottle of Bas Armagnac 1980 – Saint-Aubin Darroze	97 €	97 €	6%	28/03/2018	Switzerland
17	Bottle of Armagnac 1965 – Réserve des caves Fauchon	97 €	97 €	5%	30/01/2018	France
18	Magnum of Bas Armagnac Oreja 1966 – Louis et Fils	182 €	91 €	–	27/06/2018	France
19	Bottle of Bas Armagnac 1978 – Château de Briat	85 €	85 €	1%	28/03/2018	France
20	Bottle of Bas Armagnac Alambic 1985 – d’Ognoas	79 €	79 €	–	25/04/2018	Korea