13 Collectible California Cabernet Wines For Your Cellar (2024)

by Hunter Robillard

Californian Cabernet Sauvignon wines exemplify great aging potential, complexity, and rich dark fruit tasting notes, enticing an increasing number of wine collectors.

According to NielsenIQ data, these sensational Californian Cabs witnessed a 17% increase in sales in 2020.

Napa Cabernet Sauvignon wines continue to dominate the market, accounting for nearly 90% of California’s trade (by value.) There's also been a recent surge in demand for Cabernet Sauvignon wines from Oakville, Rutherford, and the Howell Mountain AVAs.

This article explores the 13 most Collectible California Cabernet wines, price trends, and auction results. We’ll also check out how Vinovest can help you invest in California cult wine bottles.

13 Most Collectible California Cabernet Sauvignon Wine Labels

Here are the 13 most collectible wine labels to add to your cellar:

1. Spottswoode Estate, St Helena

Spottswoode was established in St Helena, Napa Valley, in 1882. This California cult wine producer is renowned for its sensational Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Syrah wines.

The Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon red wine vintages have consistently received high wine critic scores. For example, the 2018 Family Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon received a perfect 100-point rating by wine critic Robert Parker of the Wine Advocate.

Signature wine label: Spottswoode Family Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon

First vintage release: 1983

Average annual production: 5,000 cases across all wine styles

Price appreciation: The2012 Spottswoode Family Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignonpricerose from$130 in 2020 to $301 in 2022, a 131% increase.

Auction results: 6 bottles of the 2013 Spottswoode Family Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon sold for $961 at a Sotheby’s auction in 2020.

Best bottles to buy in 2024:

2013 Spottswoode Family Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon ($293)
1992 Spottswoode Family Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon ($356)

2. Bryant Family Vineyard, Napa Valley

The Bryant Family Vineyard is one of California’s cult wine producers known for its sensational, age-worthy Napa Cabernet Sauvignon wines.

The estate's vineyards are managed by David Abre, one of Napa Valley's most talented winemakers.

The estate also produces red blend wines made with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot sourced from vineyards in St. Helena and Howell Mountain.

According to Robert Parker of the Wine Advocate, these magnificent blends are comparable to the prestigious first-growth Bordeaux blend wines.

Signature wine label: Bryant Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

First vintage release: 1992

Average annual production: 3,000 to 4,000 cases annually

Price appreciation: The 1998 Bryant Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon price shot up from $369 in 2021 to $507 in 2022, a 37% jump.

Auction results: 9 bottles of the 1997 Bryant Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon sold for $6,738 at Christie’s auction in 2015.

Best bottles to buy in 2023:

2009 Bryant Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon ($512)
2016 Bryant Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon ($816)

3. Scarecrow, Rutherford

The Scarecrow estate was founded in the early 1900s by JJ Cohn. After he died in 1996, his grandson, Bret Lopez, took over the estate.

Today, the estate's Cabernet Sauvignon cult wine consistently receives raving reviews, including a perfect 100 from Robert Parker for its 2007 Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon vintage.

Signature wine label: Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon

First vintage release: 2003

Average annual production: 800 cases

Price appreciation: The 2008 Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon price increased from $609 in 2020 to $962 in 2021, a 58% hike.

Auction results: 5 bottles of the 2005 Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon sold for $3,185 at Sotheby’s auction in New York in 2017.

Best bottles to buy in 2024:

2013 Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon ($1,083)
2016 Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon ($996)

4. Screaming Eagle, Napa Valley

Screaming Eagle is an Oakville-based winery founded by Jean Phillips in 1986.

This magnificent estate produces California’s most expensive Cabernet Sauvignon wine, regularly sold at $3,000 upwards.

In 2012, the estate also introduced a Sauvignon Blanc white wine. The secondary market price for this white wine grew ten times since its initial release price.

Signature wine label: Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon

First vintage release: 1992

Average annual production: 700 to 850 cases

Price appreciation: The 2014 Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon price jumped from $2,963 in 2020 to $4,537 in 2022, a 53% increase.

Auction results: 1 magnum bottle of the 2018 Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon sold for $9,375 at a Sotheby’s auction in 2022.

Best bottles to buy in 2024:

2014 Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon ($4,569)
2015 Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon ($4,581)

5. Shafer Vineyards, Stags Leap District

The Shafer estate's Napa Cabernet wine is regarded as a benchmark for quality in the Stags Leap District AVA.

These aromatic wines are aged 32 months in 100% new French oak barrels, resulting in tremendous structure and aging potential of 10 to 15 years.

The 2015 Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon received a 96 point rating by the Wine Enthusiast.

Signature wine label: Shafer Vineyards Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon

First vintage release: 1978

Average annual production: 1,800 to 2,400 cases

Price appreciation: The 1985 Shafer Vineyards Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon price rose from $195 in 2021 to $398 in 2022, a staggering 104% increase.

Auction results: 2 magnum bottles of Shafer Vineyards Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon (2004, 2007) sold for $918 at Christie’s auction in 2014.

Best bottles to buy in 2023:

2002 Shafer Vineyards Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon ($605)
2007 Shafer Vineyards Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon ($534)

6. Harlan Estate, Napa Valley

Harlan Estate is a rising star in the California wine scene.

This Northern California winery was founded in 1984 when William Harlan purchased 240 acres of land. The vineyards are planted with Cabernet Sauvignon and small amounts of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot.

Three of the estate’s flagship Napa Cabernet vintages (2016, 2015, 2013) received a 100-points from the Wine Advocate.

Signature wine label: Harlan Estate

First vintage release: 1990

Average annual production: 2,000 cases

Price appreciation: The 1990 Harlan Estate price rose from $1,246 in 2020 to $8,136 in 2022, a mammoth 553% increase.

Auction results: 6 bottles of the 1994 Harlan Estate sold for $9,375 at Christie’s auction in 2022.

Best bottles to buy in 2023:

2013 Harlan Estate ($1,635)
1995 Harlan Estate ($1,906)

7. Joseph Phelps, Napa Valley

Joseph Phelps is revered for producing one of the most exquisite Napa Cabernet wines. This iconic winery was established in 1973 with vineyard lands spread across Northern California.

The estate's flagship wine, the Joseph Phelps Vineyards Insignia, is made from Cabernet Sauvignon with small amounts of the Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec grape varieties.

Several of these vintages have received perfect 100s from Robert Parker.

The estate also produces Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Sauvignon Blanc wine labels.

Signature wine label: Joseph Phelps Vineyards Insignia

First vintage release: 1974

Average annual production: 17,000 cases

Price appreciation: The 1977 Joseph Phelps Vineyards Insignia price shot up from $232 in 2020 to $784 in 2021, a 238% hike.

Auction results: 6 bottles of the 1997 Joseph Phelps Vineyards Insignia sold for $1,838 at Christie’s auction in 2015.

Best bottles to buy in 2023:

1996 Joseph Phelps Vineyards Insignia ($275)
2003 Joseph Phelps Vineyards Insignia ($274)

8. Bond, Napa Valley

Bond is a legendary Napa Valley winery founded by Bill Harlan and Bob Levy of Harlan Estate. The winery produces five Cabernet Sauvignon wine labels made with grapes from over 60 prestigious vineyard lands (stretching from Yountville to St Helena.)

These sensational wines frequently get perfect 100-point ratings from critics.

Signature wine label: Bond Vecina Cabernet Sauvignon

First vintage release: 1999

Average annual production: 2,500 cases

Price appreciation: The 1999 Bond Vecina Napa Valley price rose from $289 in 2021 to $512 in 2022, a 77% jump.

Auction results: 4 bottles of the 2009 Bond Vecina Napa Valley Cabernet sold for $1,178 at a Sotheby’s auction in 2020.

Best bottles to buy in 2023:

2014 Bond Vecina Napa Valley ($603)
2007 Bond Vecina Napa Valley ($622)

9. Robert Mondavi, Napa Valley

Robert Mondavi produces some of the most collectible, age-worthy California Cabernet Sauvignon wines with grapes from the prestigious vineyard lands of To Kalon.

Over the years, this legendary winery has employed some of Napa's finest winemakers, including:

Mike Grgich of Chateau Montelena
Warren Winiarski of Stag's Leap Wine Cellars
Zelma Long of Simi Winery

Originally, the Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc wines formed the backbone of the Mondavi range. However, today the winery produces a range of wine styles, including Merlot, Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, and Moscato.

Signature wine label: Robert Mondavi Winery Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

First vintage release: 1966

Average annual production: 30,000 cases

Price appreciation: The 1975 Robert Mondavi Winery Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon price increased from $226 in 2020 to $461 in 2022, a 104% jump.

Auction results: 12 bottles of the Robert Mondavi Winery Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (1987 and 1990 vintages) sold for $2,125 at Christie’s auction in 2022.

Best bottles to buy in 2023:

2010 Robert Mondavi Winery Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($144)
2004 Robert Mondavi Winery Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($174)

10. Araujo Estate, Napa Valley

In 1990, founders Bart and Daphne Araujo bought the Eisele vineyard and established Araujo Estate.

The lands were originally planted with the Zinfandel and Riesling grape varieties. However, today more than 75% of the vineyard comprises Cabernet Sauvignon with small amounts of Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Merlot.

Besides their flagship Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, the estate also produces the following wine styles:

Syrah
Bordeaux red blends
Sauvignon Blanc
Viognier

This historic Napa Valley winery was featured in Robert Parker's 2005 book "The World's Greatest Wine Estates."

Signature wine label: Araujo Estate Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

First vintage release: 1992

Average annual production: 2,000 cases

Price appreciation: The 1991 Araujo Estate Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon price rose from $420 in 2020 to $625 in 2021, a 48% increase.

Auction results: 12 bottles of the2003 Araujo Estate Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon sold for $2,500 at Sotheby’s auction in 2021.

Best bottles to buy in 2023:

2013 Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon ($566)
2016 Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon ($583)

11. Schrader Cellars, Napa Valley

Fred Schrader founded Schrader Cellars in 1998 and started producing single-vineyard premium Cabernet Sauvignon wine.

The sensational wines from this stunning estate have received over thirty-five 100-point ratings from wine critics, including the Wine Spectator.

Signature wine label: Schrader Cellars 'Old Sparky' Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

First vintage release: 2002

Average annual production: 2,500 to 4,000 cases

Price appreciation: The 2007 Schrader Cellars 'Old Sparky' Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon price jumped from $944 in 2020 to $1,794 in 2021, a 90% hike.

Auction results: 2 magnum bottles of 2013 Schrader Cellars 'Old Sparky' Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon sold for $2,250 at Sotheby’s auction in 2021.

Best bottles to buy in 2023:

2018 Schrader Cellars 'Old Sparky' Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon ($790)
2016 Schrader Cellars 'Old Sparky' Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon ($1,230)

12. Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Napa Valley

The Winiarski family established the Stags Leap Wine Cellars in the early 1970s.

Two years later, this historic winery released its first vintage and shot to fame by defeating Mouton-Rothschild and Haut-Brion at the blind Judgement of Paris.

Today, the estate’s vineyard lands comprise the Stag's Leap Vineyard and the Fay Vineyard, planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and small amounts of Petit Verdot.

The estate also produces tiny amounts of Chardonnay white wine from its Arcadia Vineyard.

In 2007, Tuscan producer Piero Antinori purchased this legendary winery for $185 million.

Signature wine label: Stags Leap Wine Cellars Estate 'Cask 23' Cabernet Sauvignon

First vintage release: 1974

Average annual production: 130,000 cases

Price appreciation: The1979 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Estate 'Cask 23' Cabernet Sauvignon price rose from $299 in 2020 to $599 in 2021, a 100% increase.

Auction results: 1 double magnum bottle of the 1997 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Estate 'Cask 23' Cabernet Sauvignon sold for $1,250 at Sotheby’s auction in 2021.

Best bottles to buy in 2023:

1990 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Estate 'Cask 23' Cabernet Sauvignon ($291)
2018 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Estate 'Cask 23' Cabernet Sauvignon ($282)

13. Ridge Monte Bello, Santa Cruz Mountains

Ridge Monte Bello was founded in 1962 in the Santa Cruz Mountains wine region. This famed Californian wine producer is globally renowned for its Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated Bordeaux blends.

The winery also produces Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Carignan, Chardonnay, and Grenache-Mataro blend wines.

Based on Liv-ex data, this stunning estate’s wines recorded a 76% price increase between 2015 and 2020.

Signature wine label: Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello

First vintage release: 1962

Average annual production: 3,000 cases

Price appreciation: The 1986 Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello price shot up from $248 in 2020 to $410 in 2021, a 65% increase.

Auction results: 3 bottles of the 1985 Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello sold for $1,063 at Sotheby’s in 2021.

Best bottles to buy in 2023:

2019 Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello ($240)
2016 Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello ($240)

How To Buy And Store Collectible California Cabernet Wines?

Californian Cabernet Sauvignon wines are great collectibles, presenting promising returns on investment.

And while demand keeps rising, the supply for some of the most coveted labels is limited.

As a result, sourcing an authentic bottle of collectible California Cabernet can be quite challenging. Additionally, even if you obtain a bottle or two of these coveted Cabs, you’ll need to ensure they’re stored under optimal conditions.

Luckily, Vinovest provides an easier way to obtain California Cabernet and other investment-grade bottles.

The AI-based wine investment platform helps you buy fine wine at the best possible prices and sell your collectibles at the right time to the highest-paying buyer.

Vinovest also ensures your precious wines are safely stored in perfect conditions in bonded warehouses. And if you wish to pop a bottle open, just let Vinovest know, and your wine will be shipped straight to your doorstep.