Large-Format: The Ultimate Statement

Wine Team New York | June 3, 2023

Whether you’re at the dinner table or a party, little else conveys a sense of festive occasion like unveiling an eye-catching large-format bottle.

From 1.5L magnums to the gargantuan 15L bottles known as Nebuchadnezzars, anything over the standard 750ml size is considered large-format. The Sotheby’s Wine selection of large-format wines includes some of the most coveted cuvées in the category, including legendary Champagnes and First Growth Bordeaux.

Buyers and collectors treasure releases like these for more than just the bold visual statements they make. Since larger bottles have a lower surface-to-air ratio, they age slower and more gracefully, preserving a wine’s character while gathering tremendous complexity over time.

The larger volume of wine makes it less susceptible to temperature variation while the thicker glass protects from UV rays, making these giants the ultimate acquisitions for long-term cellaring. Large-formats are also produced in smaller quantities, making each one a relative rarity.

The large-format bottle is a natural fit for Champagne, also noted for its aging ability and celebratory appeal. A benchmark of Champagne elegance, Louis Roederer’s Cristal blends Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from revered estate vineyards into a sculpted, rich wine that wows with laser-like focus and crisp vibrancy.

Bordeaux is another region where large bottles carry immense value. Drink like a king with a prized 6L of Château Lynch-Bages, whose profound power drawn off classic Pauillac gravel soils call for an extra-large helping. Or spring for a 3L of a rich, ripe and mineral Château Latour that’ll keep the party going all night long.

While rosés and whites are less commonly seen in the large-format category, Domaine Tempier’s generously structured Bandol Rosé and Benjamin Leroux’s chiseled, limestone-infused Meursault Premier Cru ‘Genevrieres-Dessous’ are classics in their own right.

With wines of this caliber, there’s little doubt: more is always better.