We recently released our list of what we believe to be are the top ten collectible wines to come out of California. That was really exciting since so many fantastic wines come out of California. It was really hard to narrow down the list to just ten. Taking it a step further, and we have really put some thought into this, is our list for the Top Ten collectible wines in the world. These are all available right here at Taylor's Wine Shop.
Top Ten Collectible Wines:
3) Le Ragnaie "Fornace" Brunello
4) Latour Aloxe-Corton Burgundy
9) Taylor-Fladgate 2017 Vintage Port
These are the critical acclaim and notes on our list of the Top Ten Collectible Wines in the world for 2022.
1) Krug Grand Cuvee Champagne: “This is all about balance and the integration of power and finesse, with finely honed acidity supporting flavors of quince paste, dried black cherry, spun honey and candied orange zest, while rich notes of roasted walnut, coffee liqueur and toasted cardamom resonate on the finish.” – 97 Points, Wine Spectator
2) Chateau Rouget Pomerol: "Wow. This is very polished and full of purpose with dark berries, hazelnuts, cedar and chocolate, as well as black olives. Full-bodied, chewy and intense with a focused tannin backbone and intensity. Loads going on here. Finishes strong. This could be the best wine ever from here." - 96 Points, James Suckling
3) Le Ragnaie "Fornace" Brunello: “Lots of ripe-berry, white-pepper and sliced-mushroom character. Full body, round and ripe tannins and a deep and intense palate. Shows layers of fruit and structure. From organically grown grapes.” - 97 Points, James Suckling
Other Critical Acclaim:
97 points James Suckling
96 points Wine Spectator
95 points Vinous
94 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
94 points Wine Enthusiast
4) Latour Aloxe-Corton Burgundy: This Aloxe-Corton 1er Cru "Les Chaillots" 2016 is of a beautiful intense ruby red colour. This wine offers a spicy nose with subtle hints of pepper and clove. The mouth is ample and reveals aromas of cherry, licorice and coffee. A wine with mellow tannins and beautiful length.
Pair with game birds, poultry, and mature cheeses.
Critical Acclaim:
93 Points, PinotReport
Another generous and firmly structured wine from Louis Latour. Has bright acidity but it'll need some time for all this to knit together. A long, dramatic finish. Shows excellent potential.
5) Aalto Ribera del Duero: The primary wine, known simply as Aalto Ribera del Duero, comes from vines ranging in age from 40–80 years old supplemented with younger vine fruit about 15 years old. It is aged 18 months in French (85%) and American (15%) oak, with half of the barrels new. It is a voluminous Ribera del Duero showing Mariano’s deft hand at capturing both the power and grace of a variety, Tinto Fino, that tends towards rusticity in the hot climate of this region.
6) Muga Rioja Especial: This Special Selection Reserva 2016 exhibits a medium-deep, dense garnet/black cherry color. The nose is complex with ripe, red berry and black fruit coming to the fore with hints of black pepper and subtle, creamy, smoky oak, followed by notes of coffee and a touch of mint. The entry on the palate is smooth and elegant and develops with good volume towards an elegant, harmonious mid-palate revealing fresh, ripe red berry fruits and spice. The whole is underpinned by a powerful tannic structure and fresh acidity. This powerful yet elegant Reserva offers great ageing potential.
Critical Acclaim:
95 Points, James Suckling
94 Points, Jeb Dunnuck
7) Cheval de Andes: “This is a plush, rich Cheval with blueberry and floral aromas and flavors. HInts of tar and fresh lavender. Full body. The depth and richness are impressive, as are the ripe yet fresh tannins. Very long and structured, yet controlled and in balance. This will be a great wine indeed. Release in September 2021. Drink after 2023.” - 98 Points, James Suckling
Other Critical Acclaim:
98 Points, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
8) Bouzereau Meursault: This estate was founded by Hubert Bouzereau, a Meursault native, and Marie-France Gruère, from the nearby Chassagne-Montrachet. It’s now in the expert hands of their daughters, Marie-Laure and Marie-Anne, who won the Trophée des Jeunes Talents (Young Talents Trophy) in 2002. And this is an exceptional Meursault. Old vines produce the tastiest grapes. And the average vine age on this vineyard is 35-40 years old. The result is long, structured and tastes even better with age. This is exactly why Meursault is one of Burgundy’s most celebrated spots. It’s creamy and rich, with notes of toasted almond, honey, hazelnut and flint.
9) Taylor-Fladgate 2017 Vintage Port: “The 2017 Vintage Port, not quite bottled when seen but the final blend, is a field blend aged for approximately 20 months in wood. It comes in with 100 grams of residual sugar. A step up (or two) on the 2016, this shows fine depth, more focus, vivid fruit and serious power. It's not particularly thick, austere or astringent, but this is built for the long haul. It is potentially a great Taylor's, effortlessly combining brilliant fruit and structure. It tastes great now (today, it is far more vivid than its Vinha Velha sibling), but the power makes this hard to drink today. So, have some patience. It will need some time, probably a lot more than indicated, and will likely last longer than indicated as well. As noted in the accompanying article, I don't see much point to impossibly long drinking windows. At some point, reevaluation is required.” - 100 Points, RP’s Wine Advocate
Other Critical Acclaim:
97 Points, Wine Spectator
96 Points Wine & Spirits
10) Don Melchor 2019 Cabernet: Regularly among the most highly-acclaimed wines of Chile, this Cabernet Sauvignon knocks it out of the park with breathtaking complexity and magnificent length. Perfection is never this affordable – get after it!
Critical Acclaim: “A positively perfect 98-point Cabernet Sauvignon is a rarity worth seeking out and, according to James Suckling, “Very perfumed and aromatic with blackcurrant, sweet-tobacco and Spanish-cedar character. Full-bodied with ultra fine tannins that build on the palate and take the fruit and other flavors to an endless finish. More refined than the perfect 2018 and almost as compelling. Drink in 2023 or after.” - 98 Points, James Suckling