This curated set highlights some brilliant wines from recent vintages that clearly demonstrate the remarkable collectible value of Bordeaux’s finest. Leading the way is Bellefont-Belcier, recently acquired by the Kwok team and quickly becoming one of the must-visit estates in the region. Occupying enviable terroir in the heart of St-Émilion, Bellefont-Belcier hit a home run with their 2020, a wine that competes with its neighbors at multiples of the price. On the Left Bank, Phélan-Ségur and Marquis d’Alesme are producing their best-ever wines at an impressively reasonable price point.

The 2019 Léoville-Poyferré is one of my biggest bets in Bordeaux right now. It’s a bit surprising that you can find it for under $100 on pre-arrival, considering it stands up to the epic 2009 and 2010 vintages. This is just one of many examples of Left Bank 2019s that showcase the vintage's excellence for Cabernet. The 2019 Lynch-Bages is another standout—a 100-pointer, for what that’s worth—but more importantly, it is a singular, incredible wine from one of Bordeaux’s most exciting estates. This vintage will measure up to any reference-point vintage of Lynch-Bages out there, and is one of the best buys in top-tier Cabernet anywhere.

From the 2016 vintage, which I can’t get enough of, we have two all-timers. First is the 2016 Léoville-Barton, celebrated for its Wine of the Year status but deserving of recognition for how beautifully it expresses the house style and the incredible vintage. This Léoville-Barton will develop beautifully for decades and offers a lot at any stage. Now, take all of that and elevate it another notch for the 2016 Mouton-Rothschild, one of the greatest renditions ever from the famed First Growth. Anyone with a stash of this wine will surely be the envy of collectors for years to come.

The 2020s may be slightly behind the aforementioned vintages, but the top selections are must-have wines of the highest regard. They also showcase some of the most unique success stories in modern Bordeaux. Canon has been on the rise for the past few decades and has absolutely mastered its enviable terroir on St-Émilion’s limestone plateau. The 2020 expresses seamless elegance and depth of flavor that will be irresistible for years to come. For those seeking the next great chapter in collectible wine, look no further than Carmes Haut-Brion. Once a curiosity, Carmes Haut-Brion has quickly become one of the region’s most sought-after wines and one of Pessac’s most unique expressions. Driven by Cabernet Franc and crafted with precision, the 2020 Carmes Haut-Brion is at the pinnacle of the vintage and remains remarkably affordable considering its world-class status.