Wave Six - The Magnums
This distinctive cellar list is entirely dedicated to large-format bottles, featuring premium 1.5L Magnums and 3.0L Double Magnums. The collection emphasizes bold, ageworthy red wines from prime regions in California, Italy, France, and Spain that benefit tremendously from the slower aging process of larger glass.
Collection Overview
- 🇺🇸 Flagship California Large Formats: The pinnacle of the list features highly collectible Napa Valley reds, including the Roy Estate 'Mr. Evans' Proprietary Red and the iconic Duckhorn Three Palms Vineyard Merlot—both in 1.5L magnums.
- 🇮🇹 Classic Italian Cru Magnums: A strong showing of structured, regional Italian reds built for the long haul. This features benchmark Nebbiolo (Gianni Gagliardo Barolo and Punset Barbaresco), Tuscan Sangiovese (Castello di Monsanto), and a boutique Emilia-Romagna gem (Chiara Condello).
- 🌍 Global Everyday Large Formats: Accessible yet high-quality European crowd-pleasers perfect for entertaining, spanning mature Rioja (Conde de Valdemar), structured Rhône blends, and fresh Cru Beaujolais.
High-Value Highlights
The top five highest-priced large formats anchor the premium end of this big-bottle collection:
- 2018 Roy Estate 'Mr. Evans' Proprietary Red 1.5L (California) – $320
- 2012 Michael Mondavi Family 'Animo' Cabernet Sauvignon 3.0L (California) – $250
- 2021 Duckhorn Vineyards Three Palms Vineyard Merlot 1.5L (California) – $230
- 2016 Gianni Gagliardo 'Vigna Preve' Lazzarito Barolo 1.5L (Piedmont) – $220
- 2022 Chiara Condello 'Le Lucciole' Sangiovese Riserva 1.5L (Emilia-Romagna) – $175
Volume and Large-Format Depth
The collector has invested in multiple bottles of several specific large formats, which are ideal for large gatherings or tracking a wine's evolution:
- 2023 Jean-Paul & Charly Thévenet Morgon Vieilles Vignes 1.5L: 9 bottles (An incredible stash of top-tier Cru Beaujolais magnums).
- 2021 Duckhorn Three Palms Vineyard Merlot 1.5L: 4 bottles.
- 2016 Punset Barbaresco Riserva 1.5L: 4 bottles.
- 2018 Domaine les Hautes Cances Côtes du Rhône 1.5L: 3 bottles.
- 2010 Frog's Leap Merlot 1.5L: 3 bottles.
Incredible Big-Bottle Value
Large format bottles usually carry a steep premium, but this list features a few 3.0L Double Magnums (equivalent to 4 standard bottles) and 1.5L Magnums (2 standard bottles) at remarkably accessible prices. Standouts include the 2019 Château Blaignan 3.0L ($65), the 2016 Punset Barbaresco Riserva 1.5L ($90), and the 2016 Conde de Valdemar Reserva 1.5L ($42).