published on: Wednesday, 07 November 2012
The best collectibles reviewed this year...
By and large, American culture is obsessed with the present, often favoring
instant gratification over distant pleasure. But there’s a real beauty and
deeper sense of appreciation to purchasing a wine upon release and
properly storing it until just the right moment in time. It’s an experience
that requires patience, but one that should not be overlooked or underestimated.
Although most wine lovers are aware of the potential benefits of aging certain
special bottles, more than 80% of wines are consumed within 48 hours of being
purchased, and over 95% are consumed within the next six months. Overall, consumers
seem to have a hard time playing the waiting game.
That’s where we at Wine Enthusiast hope to help. We know it’s not easy - or
cheap - to keep a cellar stocked with selections worthy of future enjoyment. But
we also know that some of the best wines in the world deserve a little love in the
cellar. With that in mind, our editors have
culled through the wines designated as
“Cellar Selections” in the magazine this
year, and have chosen the 100 finest candidates
to lay down.
In the interest of diversity, we chose
bottlings that span many countries and
varieties, though it’s no surprise that
many of the best cellaring wines come
from established regions and top vintages.
Many of these wines are of limited
production, and just like wines on our
other Top 100 lists, some may have sold
out or increased in price since our initial
reviews were published.
Let’s talk about price. This list emphasizes
quality over value, including many
reputable, top-dollar selections with
price tags that should not surprise serious
collectors and aficionados. But
in the spirit of Wine Enthusiast, we still
considered price and availability. Regardless
of your location or wallet,
these are wines that you can collect
and enjoy.
At number 100 the Meerlust Rubicon 2007 is the only South African wine to appear in the Top 100 Cellar Selection with a score of 92.
92
Meerlust 2007 Rubicon (Stellenbosch).
One of the best vintages of Rubicon to date, and
for the price it’s a fantastic value that’s great for building
up your cellar. Right now, the wine is still young and
tight, with firm, gripping tannins that need some time to
mellow. Fortunately, there’s a great concentrated blackfruit
core and enough acidity alongside the tannins to
support long-term aging. It’s spicy and earthy, with accents
of black tea, cedar and crushed violets. Try after
2016. Maisons Marques & Domaines USA. - L.B.
abv:
14%
Price:
$31
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