The number of wine expressions and styles that exist and continue to debut seems to multiply by the day. Some are inexpensive bottles that are ideal for everyday drinking, while others are four-figure finds—special occasion indulgences, yes, and hopefully enjoyable, too. Collector-worthy, however, they’re likely not.
Only a rare few wines truly qualify as collectible, according to well-versed sommeliers who traverse the circles of high-end drinking.
According to David Smith, the sommelier and general manager of ANA Wine & Spirits in Manhattan’s Hudson Yards, the cost does not define the collectability level of a wine.
“The price is not really the biggest part of a wine although it is linked to social status,” he says. “It is the difficulty in sourcing the wine that makes it a true collector’s item.”
Possibilities include wines produced in very limited quantities and exceptional vintages that are allocated for regular customers of the winery or wine store.
“They’re sold in advance and don’t really hit retail,” Smith says. “They’re an asset in the way that art is, common in auctions and often never drunk—rather, they’re stored safely away.”
The treasure map of rare bottles for oenophiles changes year to year, he says. Below is the latest lineup of these sought-after expressions.
Veuve Cliquot La Grande Dame 2015, US$210
Translated as “The Great Lady,” La Grande Dame was created in honor of Madame Clicquot, who ran the champagne house after her husband passed away. It’s meant to respect her inclination toward Pinot Noir, a grape that comprises around 90% of the expression using historical grand crus. The latest iteration is the 24th vintage and timed to the 250th anniversary of Veuve Clicquot. Effervescent and fresh, the wine is a crowd-pleaser that’s reminiscent of nuts and buttered toast. It’s housed in six different boxes designed by the renowned Italian ceramicist Paola Paronetto.
Verite Wine Trio, US$1,440
Produced in California’s Sonoma County, Verite’s Bordeaux-style blends are luscious reds with an intense, multilayered flavor profile that unfolds slowly with each sip. The fruit-forward La Muse is inspired by Pomerol wines and comprises primarily merlot grapes. La Joie is heavy on Cabernet Sauvignon and demands aging. Le Desir, with its deep purple hue, is aromatic and elegant. The three wines are wine critic favorites and often score 100 points.
Beaulieu Vineyard 2016 Rutherford Napa Valley Rarity, US$1,200
Hailing from Napa Valley in California, this wine is the sixth vintage produced since it debuted in 1968 and only available in a Magnum size. It’s from the prestigious Beaulieu Vineyard label and crafted with Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from the highest quality vineyard blocks in the Rutherford Valley. With its aromas of ripe berries and violets, the wine unleashes a burst of flavors ranging from freshly roasted coffee to licorice to dark chocolate.
Taylor Fladgate VVOP, US$1,150
From the familiar Taylor Fladgate port, produced in Porto, Portugal, this is the brand’s oldest expression to date. Crafted with wines from different centuries that have aged in its cellars in oak flasks, it has a thick texture and a taste that evokes burnt vanilla, toasted nuts, dried fruits, and sweet marzipan. The mouthfeel lingers well after the wine has been drunk.
RdV Vineyard Lost Mountain, US$250
A Virginia wine may seem like a surprising choice as a collector’s bottle, but RdV’s Lost Mountain is worthy of the claim. The 2019 vintage is a Cabernet Sauvignon heavy blend with tastes of concentrated berries that become more pronounced as the expression opens. It also has tannins that are sweet but elegant at the same time.
2018 Penfolds Grange, US$850
New World wines don’t get any more collectible than Penfolds Grange, produced in South Australia and named a heritage icon from the region. Grange expressions tend to earn 100 points from wine critics year after year. The 2018 vintage of 97% Shiraz grapes bursts with berry aromas and notes and also has hints of licorice and chocolate. It’s bold with a distinct taste.
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