California’s Most Expensive Wines in 2019

Of course, when we think of California wine, the first thing that comes to mind is Napa, its most famous wine region. No surprise, this is the land of the “cult” wines. It’s these wines that solidified Cabernet Sauvignon as the signature grape of California and of Napa specifically. Here, winemakers defined a style rich, opulent, silky, fruit-forward, oaky and powerful. The wines were made to drink young, pretty much as soon as they were released.

The king of the cult Cabernet movement, Screaming Eagle is arguably still the most famous and renowned estate in the Napa Valley today. Approximately 20 hectares of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc are vinified with the utmost skill and care to produce just over 500 cases of extremely powerful, dense, opulent wine. The wines are only available via a mailing list and to prestigious, Michelin starred restaurants in California. Harlan Estate is located in the western hills of Oakville. Harlan is known for its commitment to creating a wine that is a California First Growth on par with those of the old world. The entire estate consists of 240 acres, including a homestead and plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Consulting oenologist Michel Rolland and winemaker Bob Levy lead the production of Harlan’s wines, producing two Bordeauxstyle blends: Harlan Estate’s namesake proprietary red and The Maiden. These wines have been received to great acclaim by reviewers and collectors alike commanding high prices and a competitive waiting list. Both wines are complex full-bodied and have the ability to age for decades. With an opulent style rich with dense fruit and elements of black currant spice and minerals Harlan is both graceful and elegant ranking it among the top tier of California Cabernet producers.

One of the most exclusive and guarded wines in California, Sloan does not open to the public and reserves its mailing list for the only the most long-standing and respected of clients. Founded by a Seattle based businessmen Stuart Sloan in 2000, who has since sold the property, Sloan releases just over 600 cases a year of dense, powerful, typical Napa style Cabernet. The 2007 vintage was available at the ‘meager’ price of $600 a bottle! Only 1,000 cases of the Bryant Cabernet are produced annually, delectable wines that quickly sell out on their release. The property is located in the Pritchard Hill sector of the Napa Valley, with the vineyards benefiting from cooling breezes emanating from nearby Lake Hennessey. The Cabernet has unrivaled finesse, depth, and power. Expect to pay about $600 for a recent vintage. That is if you can source them, there is a waiting list. Marcassin Estate is Sonoma’s most sought-after Chardonnay is sadly, almost impossible to find. Only tiny amounts are released, a couple of hundred cases every year. This is the flagship property of legendary wine consultant Helen Turley – referred to as America’s greatest winemaker- and her husband John Wetlaufer, established in 1990. They produce the most astounding and Burgundian of all California’s Chardonnays, ripeness is complimented by incredible depth, finesse, and length. A wine for the cellar. If you can find a bottle, expect to pay around $400 for the pleasure.

Ghost Horse vineyards is the tiny scale project of winemaker Todd Anderson, who also runs Andersons Conn Valley in Napa. Production is absolutely tiny, just 75 cases of super expensive and highly acclaimed Cabernet Sauvignon. The wines have an incredible intensity of sweet fruit and exceptional length. As you might imagine, prices are astronomical and can easily reach $1,000 for the top bottling. Unique marketing too- referred to as the Occult Wine Experience!

Grace family vineyards is a boutique operation that was the first of the now numerous California cult wineries – a legend in the region for the price and scarcity of its wines. Production began in 1978 and today wine lovers eagerly await to drink one of the most exalted Cabernets in the Napa Valley. Only 400 cases of this richly textured, immensely powerful wine are released annually. If you can find any bottles at auction, then expect to pay for the privilege! Some vintages can fetch upwards of $700-800 a bottle. Colgin Cellars offers three super-premium bottling, two varietal Cabernet-based wines and a Bordeaux blend. All are extremely expensive and total production is barely 1,000 cases annually. They are held in high esteem by wine collectors and with just cause, all the wines offer considerable weight, depth, and rich textures. Mark Aubert took over the reins from Helen Turley and continues to produce wines of unrivaled finesses, a match for top Bordeaux indeed. Can easily fetch over $300 a bottle. Eisele Vineyard Estate is a great terroir located in the northeastern part of the Napa Valley. As well as the Cabernet Sauvignon, minute quantities of Syrah and a classic Bordeaux blend are produced at Araujo. Winemaker Françoise Peschon crafts wines of immense concentration and power, but with surprisingly supple tannins. With a total of just over 17 hectares under vine, there is an inevitable scarcity here. Stupendous wines that can easily cost in the region of $300 a bottle. Referred to as 5-star cult wines.

Of course, the world’s best wines are expensive. They require meticulous care in the vineyard and winery. They often come from small, historic vineyards that carry prestige with their name on the label. And they often are produced in limited quantities. Tight supply and high demand drive prices up, as do the egos of the winemakers and the collectors.