Wave Four - White Burgundy, California Chardonnay, Oregon Pinot Noir
This well-rounded cellar collection offers an excellent balance between high-end, collector-grade bottles and highly accessible everyday drinking wines. The portfolio leans heavily on a classic mix of California Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, alongside an expansive selection of Red and White Burgundy.
Collection Overview
- 🇺🇸 California Staples: The core focuses on elite Chardonnays (Aubert, Haynes, Sea Smoke) and powerful Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons (Joseph Phelps, Beringer Private Reserve, Somnium).
- 🇫🇷 Deep Burgundy Selection: Features a robust mix of whites and reds. This ranges from Premier Crus like the 2019 Domaine de Chamirey Mercurey down to sharp, high-quality Bourgogne Aligoté everyday values.
- 🌲 Pacific Northwest Reds: Strongly represented by elite Washington State choices (Quilceda Creek, Figgins) and elegant Oregon Pinot Noirs (Bacus Aulos, Roco).
High-Value Highlights
The top five highest-priced bottles anchor the premium tier of this collection:
- 2019 Ch. de Chamirey 'Les Cinq' Mercurey Premier Cru (Burgundy) – $249
- 2020 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon (Washington) – $235
- 2018 Tom Eddy 'Purrington' Chardonnay (California) – $199
- 2019 Carte Blanche 'The Mark' Red Blend (California) – $191
- 2013 Tom Eddy Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (California) – $187
Case-Buy and Allocation Depth
The collection shows intentional case-level depth in specific consumer favorites, ensuring plenty of stock for regular drinking:
- 2021 Canard Vineyards Adams Blend (California) – 15 bottles
- 2023 Nicholas Allen Wines Carte Blanche UV Vineyard Chardonnay (California) – 12 bottles
- 2022 Louis Jadot Côte de Nuits-Villages Le Vaucrain (Burgundy) – 12 bottles
- 2020 La Fleur Cailleau Fronsac (Bordeaux) – 12 bottles
- 2022 Bacus Aulos Pinot Noir (Oregon) – 11 bottles
- 2023 Domaine Gueguen Vaillons Chablis Premier Cru (Burgundy) – 11 bottles
Everyday Value Opportunities
Unlike previous lists, this collection boasts an impressive sub-$30 tier featuring fantastic, highly rated everyday drinkers. Standouts include 2023 Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur Aligoté ($29), 2015 Conde Valdemar Gran Reserva ($27), and 2023 Routestock Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir ($19).