It would have been easy to compile a list of the world’s most collectible wines from those that our pro reviewers blind-tasted in the past 12 months: Simply pick the wines known to bring the highest prices. But we thought that, post-pandemic and weighed down by inflation, Wine Enthusiast readers deserve a different tack for the Top 100 Cellar Selections.
These days, elite Burgundy, Bordeaux and California Cabernet bottles sell for thousands of dollars—if you can even find them. So, we looked elsewhere, scouring a year’s worth of Cellar Selections and crafted a different sort of list, one that values moderate cost, more adventure, more discovery. Forty-seven of the 100 cost less than $100, and 18 of the 100 come in under $50. None is priced higher than $800.
This list represents what’s next in Wine Enthusiast’s Cellar Selections—wines with consistency and structure that aren’t necessarily the biggest and boldest. The number one wine, for example, is Poggio di Sotto’s 2018 Brunello di Montalcino, not the most legendary in its region of Italy but what a wine! An earthy, stony nose, robust tannins and fiery acidity prove its ageworthiness, writes reviewer Danielle Callegari.
The number two wine, Vega Sicilia 2012 Unico from the Ribera del Duero is indeed a proven collectible: “Drink now through 2052,” raves reviewer Mike DeSimone. This gem represents Spain as an underappreciated wine country full of discoveries. Number three goes to a fantastic 2020 Côte-Rôtie Syrah from Domaine Jean-Michel Gerin in France’s Rhône valley.
Plenty of cellar-worthy wines from the U.S., France, Italy and 11 other countries follow, giving readers a broad shopping list and guide. And prices aside, all the Top 100 Cellar Selections are good investments in drinking pleasure.
Selecting wines from our list and gently storing them in a cool room or wine cellar will guarantee a personal supply of something exceptional to uncork for special occasions. Beyond that, experiencing how beautifully these wines improve with age is something no wine lover should miss. Have patience with these bottles and explore the dimension of time as only a great wine can convey.
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