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In a private Michelin-starred dining room in central France, a group of the world’s top wine experts gathered, their attention fixed on a single, seemingly unremarkable bottle.

But this was no ordinary vintage. The bottle was a Romanée-Conti 1899 from the legendary Burgundy vineyard Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (DRC)—a wine once reserved for European aristocracy, now coveted by collectors and millionaires worldwide. For perspective, a 1945 Romanée-Conti recently sold at Sotheby’s for a record-breaking $558,000, CNN reports.

Experts at Auprès du Clocher called the 127-year-old bottle a true “unicorn,” noting the perfectly preserved cork marking the vintage year—remarkably intact after more than a century.

From Collector’s Item to Birthday Celebration

Typically, such bottles are bought, stored, and rarely opened. But Singaporean businessman and wine investor Su Hu Khun Peng, who purchased it a year earlier, decided to uncork the legendary wine for his 50th birthday and share it with friends.

“Too many great bottles stay unopened,” Su Hu told CNN. “For me, it’s not about status—it’s about human connection and discovering something new.”

A Bottle with a Storied Past

According to Régis Simmati, director of Maison Pion, a 1899 Romanée-Conti is now valued around €100,000 ($118,000), compared to €17–23,000 for modern DRC vintages.

The bottle was originally owned by the French aristocratic de Brou de Laurière family, proprietors of Bordeaux company Seignouret. It sat untouched for decades until, after the death of heir Patrick de Bru, it appeared at auction—selling for just a few dozen euros. Su Hu eventually acquired it through Maison Pion.

At the birthday tasting, guests included Su Hu himself, DRC co-owner Obert de Villen, 86, who personally verified the wine’s authenticity, Vivino founder Heini Zachariassen, wine master Ned Goodwin, and The Wine Advocate editor William Kelley.

A Biological and Winemaking Marvel

The 1899 vintage is made from ungrafted Pinot Noir—a strain nearly wiped out by phylloxera in the late 19th century. The bottle survived two world wars, the Great Depression, and more than a century in a cellar, emerging in pristine condition. The wine’s color remained a bright light red, with minimal oxidation in the cork—proof of perfect storage.

A Once-in-a-Lifetime Tasting

When poured, the wine astounded the experts with its elegance and depth. Kelley remarked, “The primary fruit has faded, but the wine retains a powerful, almost spirit-like intensity.” Olivier Pion added, “The purity and finesse are beyond comprehension. It’s a true miracle.”

For Su Hu, opening the bottle was an act of homage—to the vineyard, the generations who crafted the wine, and the shared experience. “Ownership is temporary, experience lasts forever,” he said.

In a world where rare bottles are often hoarded, Su Hu’s decision to share his Romanée-Conti made waves—but experts agree it’s gestures like this that define true leaders in the wine community.

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