California is the second most expensive fine wine region based on the average price of its leading estates and prices are only trending upwards.
The California 50 index, which tracks the price movements of the state’s five leading estates, has risen 31.9% in the past year, outperforming regions like Bordeaux, Italy and the Rhône.
California 50 vs Liv-ex 100 and Liv-ex 1000 over five years
*made using the Liv-ex Charting Tool
Despite surging prices, the broadening of the Californian market has meant that there are still value opportunities to be had. There are currently over 50 highly rated Californian wines readily available for under £800 a case. Just under a third of these are white wines.*
One such wine is Shafer’s Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay 2018, offered at £410 per 12×75, which boasts 95-points from Jeb Dunnuck.
Another 95-point wine, this time rated by Antonio Galloni (Vinous), is Robert Biale’s Zinfandel Black Chicken 2018, available at £575 per 12×75.
Daou’s Discovery Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 is the most traded Californian wine by volume so far this year. Current live offers start at £132 per 12×75. The wine has 92-94+ points from Jeb Dunnuck.
With the prices of many estates’ flagship wines rising in the past year, the second and third wines present a more affordable alternative for brand buyers. Dominus Napanook 2017 is offered live at £242 per 6×75, while the Othello 2015, which was originally made from the younger vines of the same vineyards at £360 per 12×75.
At a similar price level, buyers can find Stag’s Leap Artemis 2017 offered at £231 per six pack.
Ridge’s Cabernet Sauvignon Santa Cruz Mountains 2018 is also listed live below its current Market Price, at £525 per 12×75.
From the same producer, the East Bench Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley 2019 is offered at £256 per 12×75. The wine boasts 95-points from Dunnuck who complimented its ‘gorgeous intensity and richness’.
*all offers correct at time of writing
Browse all California LIVE offers here.
Liv-ex analysis is drawn from the world’s most comprehensive database of fine wine prices. The data reflects the real time activity of Liv-ex’s 560+ merchant members from across the globe. Together they represent the largest pool of liquidity in the world – currently £100m of bids and offers across 16,000 wines. Independent data, direct from the market.
