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.
-
1989 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Falletto Red Label Ris98+JG(Barolo “Falletto di Serralunga” Riserva- Bruno Giacosa) The 1989 Falletto Riserva from Bruno Giacosa is another absolute monument to Barolo, and though the wine is sti..." Learn MoreFormats Available:As low as $1,199.00 -
1990 Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Santo Stefano Ris.97VMThe second night of this vertical gets started in grand style. Bruno Giacosa’s 1990 Barbaresco Riserva Santo Stefano plays true to type. Powerful in the glass, with the soft ..." Learn MoreFormats Available:As low as $4,825.00
-
1990 Gaja Barberesco Costa Russi98RPThe vineyard designate 1990 Barbaresco Costa Russi offers a fascinating glimpse back in time. Angelo Gaja would famously declassify this wine to Langhe Nebbiolo, starting with the ..." Learn MoreFormats Available:As low as $669.00
-
1990 Ornellaia97DECA great vintage all over Europe, this is most likely, after the scarce 1988, Ornellaia’s vintage of consecration after only five years of winemaking. Michel Rolland arrived i..." Learn MoreFormats Available:As low as $400.00 -
1996 Gaja Sperss Barolo97VMThe 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 $495.00 -
1997 Albino Rocca Barbaresco Vigneto Brich Ronchi97RPThis is a spectacular Barbaresco. It is awesomely thick, rich, and textured, with unreal opulence as well as glycerin levels that define the finest offerings from the 1997 vintage...." Learn MoreFormats Available:As low as $150.00 -
1997 Castellare I Sodi di San Niccolo97RPThe 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 Ceretto Barolo Bricco Rocche97WSDark ruby-garnet. Very aromatic, with lots of floral, berry and spice character. Full-bodied, with a solid core of ripe fruit, supersilky tannins and a long, long finish. Massive, ..." Learn MoreFormats Available:As low as $340.00 -
1997 Gaja Barbaresco Costa Russi97WSI love the mineral, berry and raspberry aromas, with a light mint undertone. Full-bodied, round and unctuous, with fine tannins and a long, ripe fruit aftertaste. Firm and tight. F..." Learn MoreFormats Available:As low as $579.00 -
1997 Gaja Barolo Conteisa98RPThe 1997 Conteisa offers classic aromas of licorice, melted tar, black cherries, wet stones, and tobacco. It is a full-bodied, unctuously-textured wine of remarkable density and th..." Learn MoreFormats Available:As low as $459.00 -
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 $195.00 -
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 -
1998 Roberto Voerzio Barolo la Serra98JSWhat a vibrant wines still. It's so fresh and youthful with licorice and tar character and dried fruits. It's full body and silky textured with a perfect balance. Such fabulous fir..." Learn MoreFormats Available:As low as $295.00 -
1998 Sassicaia98JSI just drank this in Zurich today and it is clearly the best Sassicaia since 1988, and it gets better and better in the bottle. It really does remind me of the awesome 1988, which ..." Learn MoreFormats Available:As low as $495.00 -
1999 Dal Forno Romano Amarone98JSThis is full throttle style with loads of black chocolate and dark fruits on the nose and the palate. Minerally, gun powder undertone. It's very full and powerful with super pretty..." Learn MoreFormats Available:As low as $605.00 -
1999 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Monfortino Riserva99VMThe 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 $450.00 -
1999 Montevertine Pergole Torte97DEC(Montevertine, Le Pergole Torte, Toscana, Tuscany, Italy, Red) 1999 was the final vintage of Sergio Manetti, who died in 2000. Today this bottle seems to be proof of his will to pr..." Learn MoreFormats Available:As low as $415.00 -
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 $570.00 -
2000 Paolo Scavino Barolo Bric del Fiasc98WSVery, very ripe fruit, with strawberries and plums galore. Turns to Indian spices and cedar. Full-bodied, with an exquisite palate of ultraripe tannins that turn to velvet. Long, l..." Learn MoreFormats Available:As low as $135.00 -
2001 Dal Forno Romano Amarone97RPThe 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 MoreAs low as $665.00 -
2001 Le Macchiole Merlot Messorio96RPThis was a cooler year on Coastal Tuscany and the 2001 Messorio shows the signs of a slower and more prolonged evolution. The summer months were slightly cooler than average with m..." Learn MoreFormats Available:As low as $340.00 -
2001 Tua Rita Redigaffi97WSReally fantastic. Absolutely breathtaking, with blackberry, incense, dried fruit and spice. Full-bodied, with loads of black pepper and spice, refined tannins and a superlong finis..." Learn MoreFormats Available:As low as $495.00 -
2004 Dal Forno Romano Vigna Sere99RPThe 2004 Passito Rosso Vino Dolce Vigna Seré (500-mililiter) is a masterpiece that is impossible to repeat. In fact, the wine has not been produced since 2004. Even if a vin..." Learn MoreFormats Available:As low as $169.00