Italian Collector Wines
Italian Collector Wines
Aside from France, Italy is considered by many to be Europe’s finest country when it comes to winemaking culture. In the past, really amazing vintages weren’t very common, with years like 1964, 1971 and 1978 helping put Piedmont on the map, and vintages like 1955 and 1975 resonating outwards from Tuscany. However, Italy has been getting more and more consistent since about 1990, thanks to considerable advancements in how they treat their grapes and subtle climate changes. Today, Italy is a veritable viticultural titan, and their wines regularly take top spots in various tastings. Naturally, this means collectors are constantly paying attention nowadays, making certain blends tough to obtain.You have many options to choose from if you wish to snag a handful of bottles for your collection. For example, a bottle of 1999 Barolo is fit for consumption, as it’s (arguably) only now reaching its peak. If you wish to sit on it, this wine has enough longevity to develop and bloom during the next 7-10 years. The intense aroma can steal your heart in a moment’s notice, and one sip is enough to inspire untold romantic poetry. Alternatively, you may opt for a 2004 Bolgheri, which is as close as you can get to an objectively perfect wine – complex, ripe, satisfying, it grips you by the tongue and refuses to let go. Not a vintage to miss out on, and its sheer aging potential makes it a viable drink until late 2024.
We want to make it easier for you to wrap your lips around delicious, compelling wines such as these. Italy is versatile enough to provide several options no matter what your preference may be, and you can easily become the life of the party just by busting out one of these groundbreaking works of art at a social event, especially big celebrations. Leave no one unsatisfied with Italy’s finest collectibles.
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1996 Gaja Sperss Barolo97AGThe 1996 Sperss is arguably the most backward of these 1996s from Gaja. Still very young and tightly wound, the 1996 is going to need at least a few years to truly blossom. Even so..." Learn MoreFormats Available:As low as $505.00 -
1997 Castellare I Sodi di San Niccolo97AGThe 1997 I Sodi di San Niccolo is wonderfully elegant, pure and silky. It remains very young, but is so polished that opening a bottle today is far from a crime. Dark red cherries,..." Learn MoreFormats Available:As low as $185.00 -
1997 Castello Rampolla Sammarco97JSWhat a bottle. Off the charts! Full and velvety with spice and berry character and dark chocolate. Bright citrus acidity underneath. Intense. Wild fruit.James Suckling | 97 JSRich ..." Learn MoreFormats Available:As low as $150.00 -
1997 Ornellaia97JSFruit and complexity as well as freshness and richness. Beautiful nose with extraordinary aromas of prunes, licorice, and dried flowers with rosemary undertones. Full-bodied and ve..." Learn MoreFormats Available:As low as $1,215.00 -
1997 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Masseto98JSThis is the first legendary Masseto. It shows a tangy and exciting character on the palate with dried berry and strawberry character. Fabulous and energetic acidity with firm tanni..." Learn MoreFormats Available:As low as $1,175.00 -
1999 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Monfortino Riserva99AGThe 1999 Barolo Riserva Monfortino is simply epic, as it always has been. A Barolo of statuesque, profound beauty, the 1999 very clearly belongs among the greatest Monfortinos ever..." Learn MoreFormats Available:As low as $2,015.00 -
1999 Le Macchiole Merlot Messorio98RPThe awesome, saturated purple-colored 1999 Messorio is a 100% Merlot aged 18 months in French oak prior to being bottled without filtration. The alcohol is a lofty 14.6% and the dr..." Learn MoreFormats Available:As low as $445.00 -
1999 Roberto Voerzio Barolo Sarmassa di Barolo94+VM(bottled entirely in magnums) Saturated medium ruby. Superripe aromas of raspberry, minerals, dried rose, bitter chocolate and roasted oak, complicated by tangy spices and hints of..." Learn MoreFormats Available:As low as $565.00 -
2001 Dal Forno Romano Amarone97AGThe 2001 Amarone is on another level entirely. It exudes notable warmth and ripeness, with profound layers of Venezuelan bitter chocolate, herbs, licorice, smoke, dark fruit and to..." Learn MoreFormats Available:As low as $1,120.00 -
2001 Le Macchiole Merlot Messorio96AGThe 2001 Messorio is virtually impossible to fully appreciate in this setting because it is so many years away from maturity. The fruit is breathtaking in its beauty but remains qu..." Learn MoreFormats Available:As low as $335.00 -
2004 Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Rabaja98AGThe 2004 Barbaresco Rabajà is a total head-turner. In this tasting, its only competition is the Asili Red Label. Even so, the Rabajà is an absolutely captivating, viv..." Learn MoreFormats Available:As low as $449.00 -
2004 Gaja Barbaresco Sori San Lorenzo98AGThe 2004 Sorì San Lorenzo is incredibly sensual and layered in this vintage, almost uncharacteristically so. With time in the glass, some of the more typical brooding notes ..." Learn MoreFormats Available:As low as $599.00 -
2004 Gaja Barbaresco Sori Tildin97AGOne of the biggest surprises in this tasting, the 2004 Sorì Tildìn comes across as imposing and massively structured, with shades of pure power that are more typical ..." Learn MoreFormats Available:As low as $479.00 -
2004 Gaja Sperss Barolo99WSPowerful and structured. Delicate aromas of sandalwood, blackberry, licorice and cherry follow through to a full body, with very chewy tannins and loads of pretty fruit and hints o..." Learn MoreFormats Available:As low as $475.00 -
2004 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Masseto100AGThe 2004 Masseto, one of my personal favorites, is positively stellar. I have always adored the 2004 for its silky tannins, stunning aromatic presence and total finesse, all of whi..." Learn MoreFormats Available:As low as $3,249.00 -
2006 Quintarelli Alzero97AGThe 2006 Alzero is wonderfully alive and vibrant in the glass, with beams of energy that run through its deep frame. Exotic and alluring, the 2006 simply has it all. There is plent..." Learn MoreFormats Available:As low as $1,120.00 -
2006 Sassicaia97AGThe 2006 Sassicaia may very well go down as one of the all-time great recent vintages for this Tuscan thoroughbred. The year started off very warm but by August evening temperature..." Learn MoreFormats Available:As low as $949.00 -
2007 Gaja Barbaresco Costa Russi98AGThe 2007 Langhe Costa Russi combines richness and focus to a degree that has seldom been seen here. This insanely beautiful wine boasts a breathtaking bouquet, explosive, generous ..." Learn MoreFormats Available:As low as $419.00 -
2007 Salvioni Brunello di Montalcino97RPThe 2007 Brunello di Montalcino is a pure, rapturous beauty. Layers of sweet red fruit meld into rose petals, licorice, spices and mint as the 2007 seduces all of the senses. The r..." Learn MoreFormats Available:As low as $335.00 -
2008 Tua Rita Redigaffi96AGThe 2008 Redigaffi is impeccable in its elegance and polish. Dark cherries, licorice, espresso and mocha meld together beautifully in this textured, fleshy wine. Despite its sophis..." Learn MoreFormats Available:As low as $585.00 -
2008 Tua Rita Syrah97AGThe 2008 Syrah is a big, expressive wine loaded with varietal character. Iron, minerals, bacon fat and blackberries are just some of the nuances that blossom in this striking wine...." Learn MoreFormats Available:As low as $400.00 -
2008 Zyme Amarone Riserva Mattonara98VMThe 2008 Amarone della Valpolicella Riserva La Mattonara keeps you at the edge of the glass, as it opens up in layers, showing dried cherries, currants and hints of pine. Further c..." Learn MoreFormats Available:As low as $345.00 -
2009 Le Macchiole Scrio97WEBold and complex, this Syrah opens with intense, superrich notes of chocolate fudge, maraschino cherry, tobacco, sweet spice and rum cake. Smooth, elegant and persistent, this amaz..." Learn MoreFormats Available:As low as $265.00 -
2009 Vietti Barolo Villero Riserva100RPIn a word, the 2009 Barolo Riserva Villero is magic. I'm not sure I understand how Luca Currado does it. With his wizard's wand, he achieves a level of purity and intensity that I ..." Learn MoreFormats Available:As low as $615.00 -
2010 Brovia Barolo Brea Vigna Ca'Mia97AGSmoke, tar, earthiness and licorice add gorgeous dimensions of complexity in the 2010 Barolo Brea Vigna Ca’ Mia. Here, too, the flavors are remarkably bright and focused. The..." Learn MoreFormats Available:As low as $270.00