Top Selling Vintage Wines over $100

The price of vintage wines will vary from year to year, and obviously the younger they are purchased, the better the value you will get. In general, many of the top vintage wines over $100 are from the “Premier Crus” of Bordeaux; the very top wineries, which boast famous names like Chateau Lafite, Chateau Latour, and Chateau Margaux. There are also classic wines such as Chateau Petrus, which typically attract prices of $500 a bottle upon release, going up to $1000 or more for mature bottles that are ready to drink.

Other top vintage wines over $100 can be found all over the world, and include the best years for port, the very finest wines from Italy and Spain, and top American wines. Probably the most famous top vintage wine from America is Robert Mondavi’s Opus One, which retails for well over $100 a bottle.

For more information on the above wines, visit the following links:

Chateau Lafite: http://www.wine-journal.com/lafite.html
Chateau Latour: http://www.wine-journal.com/latour.html
Chateau Margaux: http://www.chateau-margaux.com/en/Home.aspx?From=Cookie
Chateau Petrus: http://www.cellarnotes.net/chateau_petrus.html

What makes these wines sell better?

There are many factors that influence the price of a wine. Obviously the quality of the wine is foremost – reputable vineyards will earmark their best product for their top vintage wine label, not just for reasons of cost but also of reputation, or to enter into international competition. In many cases, however, the reputation of the winemaker or chateau is paramount. Labels that have provided good wine in previous years will attract higher prices even before anyone has tasted the wine; those who buy wine as an investment, in particular, will prefer to purchase wine from “blue-chip” wineries.

Ultimately, though, the price of a wine is not a guarantee of quality. There are few vintage wines over $100 that are not very good to drink, but that is not to say that they are always worth the premium that buyers pay for them.


What years were good for vintage wines over $100?

The best years for vintage wines will vary from region to region, depending on the weather conditions and quality of the growing season that year. For Bordeaux, the best vintages of the last few years have probably been 1990, 1996, 2000 and 2003. In Burgundy, 1990, 1996 and 1999 are the most favored, with 2003 also highly rated.

If you are looking to buy vintage Port, it is recommended that you select a year such as 1994, 2000 or 2003. There have been several good vintages for Californian wine in recent years; 1997 is probably the best, but California wines rarely have a really poor vintage.
Are they cheaper if you buy multiple bottles at once?

Generally, vintage wine sellers will offer a discount when purchasing a case of 12 bottles, just as any other wine retailer would. This will typically be around 10%, but may be more or less. Other retailers may only offer discounts on larger orders. However, as wines become more mature and therefore appear for sale more rarely, you may find that discounts are not offered on multiple purchases.




Will they increase in value?

Top vintage wine can and does increase in value between its production and the stage where it is ready to drink, which can be a decade or more later. Many people choose to invest in wine ‘futures’, purchasing wine before it has even been bottled in the hope that the price will rise quickly upon release. This is a gamble, which is perhaps best left to specialists.

Perhaps the best indicator of whether a vintage wine will increase in value is the score it receives from important critics, most prominently Robert Parker, whose wine scores have a massive influence on the value and marketability of a vintage wine. However, it is impossible to guarantee that a wine will increase in value, and you should bear this in mind when you buy vintage wines.


Do you need a cellar to store vintage wines?

The simple answer to this is ‘no’. Although, for a serious lover and buyer of fine wine, a cellar is extremely desirable, the fact is that as long as you follow a few simple rules for storing wines, it’s not necessary to have a cellar. If you do have a basement area, this is the best option; vintage wine benefits from being stored below room temperature wherever possible, at around 10-12 degrees centigrade away from strong temperature fluctuations. If you don’t have a suitable basement, then store the wine on its side in a safe place away from sources of heat, bright light and vibration – so on top of the washing machine is probably out!


Where can you get top vintage wines online?

There are thousands of wine merchants online, and which one you buy from will depend on your location. You can compare prices and check who is selling which top vintage wines at: http://www.Wine-Searcher.com allowing you to get the best value on your vintage wine purchase.