1945 Vintage — A Legendary Vintage Among the Greatest of the 20th Century

Buying a 1945 vintage wine means acquiring a true piece of history. Produced at the end of the Second World War, this vintage is widely regarded as one of the greatest ever made. An exceptionally small harvest, followed by an intensely hot and dry summer, produced wines of extraordinary concentration, power and longevity that remain among the world's most sought-after collectibles.

The greatest successes can be found in Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, the Rhône Valley, Sauternes and the Loire Valley. The finest wines from this historic year are now considered among the most iconic bottles ever produced.

The Style of the 1945 Vintage

The 1945 vintage is regarded as one of the greatest in wine history. An exceptionally small harvest, caused by severe spring frosts, followed by a hot and dry summer produced wines of extraordinary concentration. The finest bottles combine immense power, remarkable depth and exceptional longevity, making 1945 one of the most sought-after vintages among collectors worldwide.

Bordeaux 1945 — A Legendary Vintage

In Bordeaux, 1945 is widely regarded as one of the greatest vintages ever produced. Extremely low yields and perfectly ripe grapes resulted in wines of extraordinary concentration, structure and longevity. Several bottles have become true icons of the wine world, including the famous Château Mouton Rothschild 1945, whose celebrated "V" label commemorates the Allied victory at the end of the Second World War.

Look for: Pauillac, Saint-Julien, Margaux, Saint-Estèphe, Pomerol, Saint-Émilion, Graves, as well as the great wines of Sauternes.

Burgundy, Champagne and the Rhône Valley — Wines That Became Legends

In Burgundy, the harvest was extremely small, yet the finest estates produced wines of extraordinary depth. The legendary Romanée-Conti 1945, made before the estate replanted its historic vines, is now one of the most sought-after wines in the world. In Champagne, despite very low yields, several leading houses produced remarkable wines. The Rhône Valley also delivered powerful, complex wines with exceptional ageing potential.

Look for: Romanée-Conti, Chambertin, Hermitage, Côte-Rôtie, the great Vintage Champagnes and the leading historic estates.

Loire Valley, Alsace and Other Regions — Rare Wines to Select with Great Care

The Loire Valley and Alsace also produced outstanding wines in 1945 despite the very limited harvest. More than eighty years later, these bottles should be selected with particular attention to their provenance, storage conditions and overall history, all of which play a decisive role in their current drinking quality.